Summer is drawing to a close with hints of fall in the air and in my backyard garden. Thinking about all that has happened this summer, here are some of the haikus I've written, a poetic review of a few of my summer adventures.
I've started a new tradition in our new home of writing a haiku for each dinner guest and placing these at the table. Here are the ones I wrote when dear friends from Rock Hill, South Carolina, Mel and Linda Wines, were up to Raleigh for a weekend. We enjoyed their company over dinner.
In July I slipped these haikus into the mailbox of a dear pastor friend and wife, Dave and Beth Schleusener, who were leaving shortly for a three year assignment in Japan (Dave as a Navy Chaplain).
Dave
My older brother, and the patriarch of our clan, celebrated a birthday this summer. His youngin's (as he'd say) have added new grandbabies to their family. An engineer by day, he also loves working on their family farm, Sunny Lea Acres.
This summer we celebrated from afar the graduation and birthday of Paulina Bogdanova from Osgoode Hall Law School at the University of Toronto. I met Paulina when she was in elementary school and in the neighborhood of the church where I served in Cary, NC. Her summer visits to her grandparents for many years included music and that was our connection, as teacher and friend. Tempus fugit!
Here are my most recent poems, for friends here in the area, Pat and Vicki Gallagher. We've reconnected with them after moving out of state for several years. Vicki sings in the choir that I led at Resurrection Lutheran church from 2000 to 2007. She was so gracious to visit my new parish this summer and sing "The Lord's Prayer" (Mallote) during a worship service.
Don't these descriptions make you want to get to know these folks even better and enjoy conversation around the breaking of bread with them?
Here's a silly haiku from a recent eating out experience. A friend suggested I may be the first person to write a haiku for McDonald's. Maybe so.
And a last set of haiku, serious and poignant, written for my nephew Josh. His mother passed away two years ago on August 14th. He wrote a beautiful tribute to her and shared it on Facebook. I sent him this poem, a distillation of the things he said, such insight and candor for a 16 year old boy.
Second Anniversary
Mom is gone from sight
Two years ago departed
Thoughts of her bring tears.
Difficult, dreary,
Desert days, dripping, dreadful,
Dare I dare to dream?
Yet I feel her pulse ̶
Memories keep her alive,
My heart gains courage.
She taught, influenced,
“Enjoy life!” was her lesson,
Thoughts of her bring joy.
This photo of the sun coming up over the mountain mists, is to me, a visual representation of what Josh wrote.
The seasons end, and yet we look to what lies ahead with hope and confidence that God will be with us, lovingly sustaining us all the days of our lives.
Grace and peace to all who are reading this.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Music Links
The Lark Ascending - Ralph Vaughan Williams, for solo violin and orchestra, based on George Meredith's poem, "The Lark Ascending" (1881). Vaughan Williams used these lines from Meredith's poem on the flyleaf of his published score (1920):
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| Morning Glories in their final profusion of blooms |
Mel
The pastor friend speaksWords that match the resonanceOf life with his God.
Linda
The nurse’s eyes shineJesus into family,
Students, neighbors, all!
 | |
| Beautiful 4 inch blooms |
In July I slipped these haikus into the mailbox of a dear pastor friend and wife, Dave and Beth Schleusener, who were leaving shortly for a three year assignment in Japan (Dave as a Navy Chaplain).
Dave
Dressed in white faith goesTo serve among the soldiers
Pastor Dave’s new call.
Beth
She loves adventure
As Commander Dave's ally,
Gospel joys beckon.
 | |
| Morning Glories are a favorite with many! |
Big Brother
Father, grandpa too,
Decade filled with family growth,
Patriarch in bibs.
This summer we celebrated from afar the graduation and birthday of Paulina Bogdanova from Osgoode Hall Law School at the University of Toronto. I met Paulina when she was in elementary school and in the neighborhood of the church where I served in Cary, NC. Her summer visits to her grandparents for many years included music and that was our connection, as teacher and friend. Tempus fugit!
 |
| Each bloom lasts only one day |
Celebrations
Summer birthday fun,
As lawyer sparkling new,
Time to dance a jig.
Here are my most recent poems, for friends here in the area, Pat and Vicki Gallagher. We've reconnected with them after moving out of state for several years. Vicki sings in the choir that I led at Resurrection Lutheran church from 2000 to 2007. She was so gracious to visit my new parish this summer and sing "The Lord's Prayer" (Mallote) during a worship service.
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| Bloom where you are planted! |
Pat
Standing tall, he leadsHome, work, community, church,With a servant’s heart.Vicki
Curator of wordsShe teaches, convinces, loves;Grace-filled, singing life!
Don't these descriptions make you want to get to know these folks even better and enjoy conversation around the breaking of bread with them?
 |
| Variegated Liriope with Blue Spikes in August |
Here's a silly haiku from a recent eating out experience. A friend suggested I may be the first person to write a haiku for McDonald's. Maybe so.
At McDonald’sCoke and a sandwichKetchup for the hot French friesFast food indulgence.
And a last set of haiku, serious and poignant, written for my nephew Josh. His mother passed away two years ago on August 14th. He wrote a beautiful tribute to her and shared it on Facebook. I sent him this poem, a distillation of the things he said, such insight and candor for a 16 year old boy.
 | |
Second Anniversary
Two years ago departed
Thoughts of her bring tears.
Difficult, dreary,
Desert days, dripping, dreadful,
Dare I dare to dream?
Yet I feel her pulse ̶
Memories keep her alive,
My heart gains courage.
She taught, influenced,
“Enjoy life!” was her lesson,
Thoughts of her bring joy.
 |
| My brother (Josh's Dad) took this photo from their home in the Colorado Rockies. |
This photo of the sun coming up over the mountain mists, is to me, a visual representation of what Josh wrote.
The seasons end, and yet we look to what lies ahead with hope and confidence that God will be with us, lovingly sustaining us all the days of our lives.
Grace and peace to all who are reading this.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Music Links
The Lark Ascending - Ralph Vaughan Williams, for solo violin and orchestra, based on George Meredith's poem, "The Lark Ascending" (1881). Vaughan Williams used these lines from Meredith's poem on the flyleaf of his published score (1920):
He rises and begins to round,
He drops the silver chain of sound,
Of many links without a break,
In chirrup, whistle, slur and shake.
For singing till his heaven fills,
'Tis love of earth that he instils,
And ever winging up and up,
Our valley is his golden cup
And he the wine which overflows
to lift us with him as he goes.
Till lost on his aerial rings
In light, and then the fancy sings.
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| Front porch at summer's end |
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| Come sit with me and enjoy the breezes of late summer and the song of birds |
