City Life – Page 6

Tree, #84

jpallen City Life, Nature Life April 1, 2021November 20, 2023haiku, march, spring 2 Comments

A water splashing
the sound of a fallen tree
ripples in blue sky

In the Arboretum II – Blooms, #83

jpallen City Life, Nature Life March 28, 2021November 20, 2023haiku, march, prose, spring 4 Comments

I enter the arboretum wondering what blooms will be out today. There are a few clouds on this cool day, yet our warmest of spring .

I approach a family, the parents are in no rush to exit. The children are running and laughing under the bare branches. They stomp then wonder at their footprints in the remnants of an early morning snow in the dappled light.

Pools of grief and joy
well in afternoon green buds
early spring snowmelt

I pass two people. Their voices mix with the chatting of squirrels and the chirping of birds. One has a pair of binoculars hanging from their neck. We share a “Hello.”

After they pass by, I hear a sound. Looking over, I see an empty tree branch waving.

Floating Lenten Rose
blooming in the garden bed
a passing spring cloud

Close to the exit, I approach one of the pair I had passed earlier.

I blurt out, “Did you lose someone?” They laugh and look back the way they came saying , “No, they went that way.”

Day after winter
February Daphne blooms
Its fragrance lingers

Winter breeze, #78

jpallen City Life, Nature Life March 4, 2021November 20, 2023february, haiku, winter 4 Comments

A distant birdsong
lies in the highway’s faint hum
in a snowy field

Late February, #77

jpallen City Life, Nature Life February 28, 2021November 20, 2023february, haiku, winter 2 Comments

Icicles caress
the leafless flower garden–
droplets drip, dripping

A walker spies thier phone-
while a dog paints graffiti
on a snowbank

Cycling red and green
cars emit thunderous waves-
a crow flaps its wings

Winter day, #76

jpallen City Life, Nature Life February 25, 2021November 20, 2023february, haiku, winter 8 Comments

From wintering trees-
the notification pings-
a lonely bird song

Winter Garden, #75

jpallen City Life, Nature Life February 21, 2021November 20, 2023february, haiku, winter 2 Comments

Tomato poles stand
in the snow covered garden-
patiently waiting

Mid February, #74

jpallen City Life, Nature Life February 18, 2021November 20, 2023february, haiku, winter 6 Comments

Palouse snowfall
somewhere Paradise Ridge
cannot see me

The burning candle
on this cold winter day
shivers

The Orchid bloom
illumines
this winter morning

Downtown, #73

jpallen City Life February 14, 2021November 20, 2023february, haibun, winter 2 Comments

I stop and take a photo of a couple sitting outside the coffee shop downtown. It had just been snowing and I think to myself, “A snow-shower would have been a nice addition.” (It had been snowing during most of my walk).

I walk by their table and notice two Canon cameras and strike up a conversation.

The couple say they are out taking pictures for the day. We talk about the Palouse and I find out they are only here for a month, finishing some work at Washington State University, and have a desire to be back in the big city.

They notice my FUJIFILM X100S with its bent sunshade and scratches. I instantly think of the many miles I’ve walked with it hanging from my shoulder and I wonder what bends and scratches their cameras will one day show?

As I get ready to leave there is an uncomfortable pause. I think because of the inability to shake hands, because of COVID. After it passes we share a slight head bow, smiles, and a friendly wave goodbye.

Turning in the night
my head finds the pillow–
between dreams