when early winter dusk comes
birds fly to hidden branches
humans couch up, sip toddies,
to netflix and chill
watch: when chilly north winds blow
chipmunks tunnel in snowdrifts
one furry little face may
suddenly pop out
“A Warm Hearth,” by Christopher Holmes
midnight warmth around the hearth
punctuated with a knock
neighbor with dementia
barefoot, with blue lips
Colleen Chesebro is the host of TankaTuesday. Colleen says:
This week: Your writing invitation is to compose a series of three dodoitsu. Use one kigo phrase in each of your three poems. (I used 3 of the usual tones for this form.)
- #1: “early winter dusk” (love)
- #2: “chilly north winds blow” (humor)
- #3: “warmth around the hearth” (unexpected)
Tao Talk 
Very nicely done, Lisa! Loved all three and they represented the themes perfectly.
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Dale thanks and glad you enjoyed them :)
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Very much so!
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perfect use of the kigo Lisa and your photos set each verse beautifully 🙌
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Ange, thank you <3
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One: I love chipmunks. Two – that last stanza was amazing and unexpected!
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Boz, thanks for reading and happy you are a chipmunk fan.
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The chipmunk made me smile.
There was just a story on the local news website about a woman worried about her neighbor with dementia, who would appear at her door thinking it was her own apartment. There seems to be no way to get services for a person like that unless a relative requests it. (K)
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Do you have an Adult Protective Services department in your Department of Health and Human Services? It’s like a Child Protective Services department but for adults.
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We do, but a neighbor can’t request services–it has to be a relative or someone authorized to speak for the person in need. There was a lot of discussion in the comments on how to get around this, and it seems there are ways.
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Adult Protective Services hotline for NYC:
https://access.nyc.gov/programs/adult-protective-services/
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Thanks–I’ll put it in the comments if it’s not already there.
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You’re welcome.
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It may vary from state to state, but my experience (after Navi g retained an attorney) is that nothing can be done without her doctor saying so. My mom has been diagnosed with dementia, but he refuses to fill out interrogatories related to her need for overseeing. Even when the state sent him paperwork to fill out from senior services, he didn’t do it (regardless that both the fire department and myself had called the state). There is no law compelling him to cooperate.
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It’s complicated, and for a good reason. Too complicated to go into in this forum, but you’re right, each state is different, and an adult protective services worker can help in navigating the system.
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While I generally like having different seasons, everything in moderation. I could easily do without very cold or very hot temperatures. That said, the feeling of coming from icy weather outside into a well-heated place is priceless. That fireplace looks very inviting!
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I love all seasons, but that time of year where winter transitions into spring is a tough time of year for me. I think I’ll be taking a vaca this March to somewhere sunny and warm. I used to love the heat of the wood burner. It’s a “nicer” heat than anything else.
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I’m ready for winter! I love the picture of the squirrel’s head lol.
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I really don’t mind this part of winter and actually like it. It’s the tail end that gets to me. I looked for awhile before finding the right pic of the chipmunk :)
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It’s cute…
Yea we don’t get as bad of winters as you do…it’s our summers that get me the most.
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The first two are delightful and the last frightening.
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Robbie, thanks for reading and glad you connected with each of them :)
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All these poems carry a different message Li. Beautifully written
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Thanks much, Sadje.
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You’re most welcome Li
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Powerful twist in the last stanza! It really puts everything in perspective. Well done!
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Gwen, thank you very much :)
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Snow is forecast for Friday in SW England but I won’t hold my breath.
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Do you hope it snows?
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It snowed today! but it never stuck and soon turned to rain
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Ours pretty much melted away today.
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Very visiual. All realities of ‘light snow’.
We had a neibhbor with dementia… thankfully ‘we’ got ‘im to get help. And was in full care until his last days.
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Thanks, Jules. Thank goodness your neighbor was blessed with caring others that stepped in when needed.
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A good ralley… indeed.
He was a good man.
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All of them lovely, the first one made smile, yes to netfix in a snowy day!
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Thanks much, Elizabeth :)
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