Haiku

I am a fan of Haiku.  The Japanese poetry that uses syllables and nature.  The syllables are counted, five for the first line, 7 for the second and 5 for the last. I think one of the reasons I like it is the fact that anyone can write a haiku and it will sound decent.  I can write haiku.  That makes me happy.

Today's is:

Sunshine through the glass
fills up my heart and body.
Can you see me smile?

The reason I write this is plain to me.  I'll make it plain to you.  I am up early...as usual, my internal clock says I should be awake when it's light outside.  So, I am drinking my coffee.  However, I looked up and the sunlight is rushing through the kitchen window painting my plants in a golden light.  I can hear finches singing.  The coffee is doing the trick, and all is right with the world.

A finch sings his song,
sunlight and coffee warm me,
Spring is wonderful.

See, I did it again.

We cleaned the house and I mowed the lawn yesterday.  I also sprayed some of the weeds and it seems to be doing the trick.  I think I am ready for the rest of the week!  I can relax and not have to worry about making sure the lawn is mowed or the weeds are sprayed.  School is out or nearly out (depends on the district) and I am unlikely to be called for sub jobs.  I think I will enjoy the sunshine where ever it finds me.  I hope you will too.

Poetry

My Uncle Larry was an artist of many sorts.  I have only been exposed to a fraction of his photography, but I have seen his use of found objects to create a living space that made him happy.  I appreciate that kind of sculpture and arrangement.  He is gone now.  He passed away almost four years ago.  I never took the opportunities I should have to know him better.  It seems the saying is true about youth.  While he may have rubbed some people wrong with his hippie ways and un-mainstream beliefs, I always found him to be one who was enjoyable and agreeable to know.

I saw my aunt yesterday.  She still grieves for him.  I know this.  I know the pain never leaves after you lose a loved one.  Some days are better, but they are never easy.  Seeing her reminded me of this.  And of his art.

I need to appreciate the loved ones I have now.

Forgive me for leaving my normal tempo and narrative form.  Today, I write for my Uncle.  And, in that vain, I submit this poem:

FITFUL

Awake

It seemed

All night long.

Sleep

Was an

Inconsiderate lover.

Still

I long

To go back.

  

Jim R. Huffman

4-7-2010

The Legend of the Headless Dog!

Once there was a canine, Jack Russell in breed,
a lap to lay on was his only real Need.



During the day, he raced across the lawn,
back and forth, since his people were gone.



They always came home, and would give him a dinner scrap,
and after that, there was, between the two, always an open lap.



Even if there wasn't, he would make himself a place,
he'd push the computer over and move in with grace.



One night he lay so still his owner thought he was dead,
it turns out, however, he'd just lost his head.

Yes, that's all I have.

Ode to a Tomato

You have thin skin.

You're soft, plump, and round.
You are a lovely womb.

You are moist.

and you taste damned good!

Today dawned sunny and crisp, though not crisp like an apple, more like the crisp one finds in hard taco shells, but with more light and a soft, cool breeze. Yeah, like that.

Cora was, and still is, suffering from her cold. She did not sleep as soundly as I did. We did not end up moving very far before ten this morning...something I am sure we will not be enjoying this summer.

When we did finally get moving, we went to town and got some groceries. As we were walking through Costco we were met with yet another member of my fan club. I was talking to Cora about the freezer section when I heard an almost exasperated call of my name. Like I should have been on the lookout for this particuar student...it was kind of cute. Cora just chuckled.

Later on this afternoon we were comeing home. We were on a two lane road and a car passed us. I glanced up to see two kids busily waving at meover their seat backs. I returned the waves with a smile and jaunty wave. Ah, the price of stardom.

We came home and I made my chicken enchiladas. They were pretty good. That's when I found the tomato. It tasted sweet, but, well...I love summer tomatoes. So, it feels like I am cheating on the summer tomatoes...do you suppose they'd be jealous?

Oh, and I forgot, in the excitement, to mention something I got for my birthday. Something I think I will treasure forever. They look like lillies, but they are actually the hand prints of my niece and nephews! I think they are spectacular. I'd like to say thank you to Emma, Eli, David, Carrie, and Scott! Thanks, you guys!

Grandma's Blog!

So, today was a big day for My wife's grandmother (I also claim her as mine, but Cora had her first, so I really have to take seconds, I suppose.). The local newspaper ran a story on her. Apparently not all 80 year old women have their own blogs...if they don't, I think they ought to. Here is a link to the story... You all better think she is the most awesome, or I am coming to see you with a baseball bat and a sledge hammer...just kiddin'! But, you should check out her site, if you haven't already.

Cora and I stayed in. I did go out and shovel the walk and get the paper. Cora made candy and goodies, while I looked on...eager to lick the fodge bowl. YUM! She can make some mean fudge! I was mostly in charge of making sure we were watching a movie at all times.

In 1994, a movie came out, which is not so surprising, because many movies come out each year, which makes that kind of dumb statement, unless I am introducing a movie that I think deserves particular attention, which I am. It was about the time that Hugh Grant began to become popular and quite awhile before his experience with a call girl and TV cameras.

It is a tale of woe and happiness. It is a tale of four weddings and a funeral, hence the name: Four Weddings and a Funeral. Ever since we first saw it, we both loved it. Some of the best scenes show how the main character Charlie seems to have bad luck with women. It is a great window into Birtish humor.

The winter weather continued to hound us. We have picked up an additionl inch or so since this morning. I shoveled the walk a few times, still, I will neeed to do it again in the morning. I also made soup for dinner...chicken and potato soup. Yum! It was excellent. I also chopped up some BBQ pork and some cheese and we had a light lunch. Cora's goodies were...well, they may not make it to the holidays!

Cora wrapped gifts and I helped where I could, mostly I helped her out. We watched movies all day long. Which leads me back to Four Weddings and a Funeral. After my best friend passed away, the eulogy that is delivered during the funeral part seemed to take special meaning to me.

It is called the Funeral Blues, buy W.H. Auden.:


Funeral Blues

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin,let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

W.H. Auden


I hope I haven't brought too many of you down, I just like the poem. I also had an excellent day! I spent it with my wonderful wife and we took it easy while watching the quail break bread on our walk. I had a good day! I hope yours was the same!