just a few steps in
wreathe of trailing arbutus
glistens in the rain
soon my coat is heavy also
soggy humus path my home
◊◊◊
such a tiny thing
this small pink berry, yet it
becomes a world here
litter of wet forest floor
rotting testament to life
◊◊◊
imagination
wants me to believe that this
hollow puffball holds
family of ladybugs
sitting down for mid-day tea
◊◊◊
soggy pine tree foams
white bubbles in warm spring rain
moss sponges fatten
melted snow’s grime washed away
hoping for tomorrow’s sun
◊◊◊
root snakes once roamed free
until forest path was hacked
now they primp in rain
burled sculptures wow passing feet
still sheltering wintergreen
◊◊◊
Yesterday I took a walk in the rain through a nearby park, looking to see if the trailing arbutus was in bloom yet. It wasn’t. Although the woods seem dormant at this time of the year, there was plenty to see.
These are tanka poems, but I admit the form is something I haven’t practiced much. Apologies to the tanka folks for any form violations.
Ingrid is today’s host for dVerse’ Open Link Night.
Brendan is the host of earthweal‘s Open Link Weekend.
Tao Talk 
Love these glimpses into the forest life.
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Thank you, Sadje. It was worth getting drenched for.
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You’re welcome! Thanks for sharing
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Oh, I felt like i was walking with you! I especially like
“this small pink berry, yet it
becomes a world here
litter of wet forest floor
rotting testament to life”
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So happy it pleased you, Mary. Thank you.
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Love those pictures…they look like miniature worlds.
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Max, you called it, that’s exactly what they are ❤
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Love the inspiration you gleaned from your wonderful walk Lisa. Thank you so much for sharing. The night I read your comment on my blog, I dreamt l hiked through my cherished stand of old growth up in the Cascades, where I frequently visited, and have shared with my words on my site. My heart and soul still hike there in my mind, but my body likely will never return, until my son Justin scatters my ashes there. He and I talked about it on Tuesday, and he promised again.
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Rob, I’m so happy you had a dream where you were walking there again. I know they have ATV mini jeep like things that go through the woods now. Would you be able to use something like that to get there? I know some places don’t allow them, but if they do and you could rent one and you and Justin and maybe your grandson could go check it out? Dreaming is very close to it but to be there in body and to show your grandson would be so precious.
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Lovely, lovely contrasts conjured here… The visceral joy of nature experienced so enthusiastically here. A truly refreshing read.. Thank you.
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Scott, what a kind comment. Glad you connected with the poems. Thank you.
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I loved taking a walk with you both in verse and image, Lisa, thank you! What is the pine tree foam? I have seen it when out walking and been bewildered!
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Glad you enjoyed the walk. I did look it up when I got home because I was curious about it also. Something in the tree has the same component as what is used in soap, and then I remembered pine tar soap. Maybe when the tree cells reach a saturation point the extra bubbles out? I saw several trees with it that day and it has been really wet this past couple of weeks.
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Hmmm, now you’ve got me really curious…interesting, thanks!
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Excellent–both photos and words. Moisture is such a large part of what spring contains. I love the moss fattening. (K)
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Thank you, K. You know you are right about the moisture.
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You have shown us such wonders – the richness of life on the forest floor. I live in such a place and so I resonate with these words and photos……….you have eyes that “see” the wonders, and you bring what you see to us as a gift. Thank you.
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Sherry, your comment touches my heart. My pleasure to share and my pleasure to know you know what I’m talking about here.
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Great pictures, Lisa. Spring is in the air!
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Thanks, Christian! Now if it would stop raining and move beyond hovering just above freezing I’d be a happy camper.
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I hear you. We had some pretty crazy temperature swings in my area as well, which during the past few weeks ranged from 77 to 35 in terms of highs. But spring and with it milder temperatures cannot be stopped! 🙂
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Love the pics and the lovely accompanying tanka. Mu favourite part is the lady birds having morning tea in the puff ball
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Rall, thank you and so glad you enjoyed them.
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I do love a cup of tea – so the ladybird image is now firmly in my head! Thank you Lisa 😊🐞
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haha! Happy to oblige, thanks, Marion.
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😊
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I am no authority, but i think you did a fine job on you Tankas.
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Thanks, Dwight! ❤
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I enjoyed your tanks (and photos) as combinations of form, nature, and imagination.
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Thank you!
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I really enjoyed these, Lisa. They were perfectly matched to your images.
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Thanks much, Dale, glad you enjoyed them.
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I did 🙂
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