Common Threads

 

Whispered Promises 

How do we find ourselves

of no certain roof or

means of dwelling in the

event of the unfortunate 

loss of love or 

end of opportunity?

Smart women don’t trust whispered promises – 

smart women plan. 

 

Mother’s Day Gift

A mirroring nonette

“…so

you could

also have 

your mother with

you this Mother’s Day,”

one of my prize children

wrote on the gift card greeting

that arrived with a small square box

“Embrace the journey,” the box lid read

she’d lately taken up birdwatching

and discovered redbird lore: how 

departed loved ones appear

“I am always with you,”

the card inside said

I opened it:

a redbird

bracelet!

tears…..

 

Hippie Camp Haiku

Tasters Choice coffee

honey granola yogurt

breakfast, healthy-style

jeans and tie-dyed shirt 

no makeup, dry shampoo day

journal by campfire

feeding fat squirrels

‘70s music groovin’

hip flower-child style 

picnic on mountain

tomato sandwich, pickles 

valley view below 

hammock hugging trees

rescue dog sacked out with me

Birkenstocks touch sky

beeswax candle glows

fairy light tree casts aura

lanterns, hippie-style

stress-free mellowing

toasting marshmallows fireside 

peace, love, and camping

 

A Matriarch Haiku

Campsite 304 

F D Roosevelt State Park

Pine Mountain, Georgia 

Keystone Outback packed 

Fairy lights bright, glowing 

matriarch’ spirits 

time to remember 

those whose legacies I am 

many shoes to wear! 

camping, sewing, and 

cooking, birdwatching 

fascinating women 

who was the writer? 

which ones were introverted? 

I am their patchwork quilt! 

 

A Mug Hug Haiku 

a teacher gift the

year before the accident 

that claimed his young life 

a cup of coffee 

from my Jacob mug brought a

tearful smile each time

nine years now, chips and 

cracks – signs of age, wear and tear

remembering him

watching his brothers 

grow, seeing their resemblance 

blond hair, handsome boys

his chair empty at 

his high school graduation 

as classmates filed past 

parents whose faith stands

firm – thanking God for the time

they shared together

knowing they will join

him in Heaven when their time

on Earth is finished 

precious keepsakes and 

treasures held near to their hearts

until lightning struck 

house a total loss –

“It was just a house,” Dad said,

and taught the next day

things can be replaced 

in a way that sons cannot

fire did not steal joy 

yet a mother’s heart 

longs for handprints of her child 

things that he once touched  

and then a whisper 

to wrap the mug with a bow

from Jacob to Mom

a Mother’s Day gift

from a son who died too soon

mug hug from Heaven

 

Hidden Yogurt Haiku

He’s been “missing out”

on his “ten o’clock yogurt”

because “I hid it!” 

……

   ……

      ……

I’m gonna “own up.”

I wish to be one who’d “hide 

yogurt” – – not candy! 

 

Picasso Journal Haiku

I was going to 

write in green ink….. but then I

picked up the blue pen

I want some breakfast

…but need the mindset of a

brunch and lupper plan

I’m going to work 

…but I’d rather be camping

writing by the fire

A redbird bracelet 

keeps my late mother at hand

…in my heart always

I’d rather wear my 

Birkenstocks to work today

…but I’ll wear my Clarks…

Air conditioner 

repair finished yesterday

…coffee once again! 

WiFi out, struck by 

lightning….I’m disconnected

lost deep in the woods

My days seem like those

Picasso paintings…all slant

and tilted and skewed

If Picasso had 

been a poet….would he have

written in fragments? 

 

Clocklike Footwork Haiku

weekday

school-office workout 

non-stop on-the-clock lock-step fanciful footwork 

afternoon

knocking about town 

bottoms of feet locked to my Birkenstock cork-tops 

evening

lounging about house 

worn out, both feet propped on my olive ottoman 

weekend

lolling on campground

feet dropping from my hammock 

clock stopped for re-stock 

 

Nonsense Haiku 

I’m giving myself 

a list of menu options 

for healthier meals 

tired of this nonsense 

eating whatever I want 

whenever I want 

Seeking two kayaks 

to explore our campground lakes 

…….I need mine to float!

 

Togetherness Haiku

Weekend off the grid

Peaceful Dames Ferry Campground

Campsite twenty-one

Lake Juliette’s shores

Thirty feet from our camper

Kayaks gliding by

Banana oatmeal

Coffee swirled to perfection

Chatter of wildlife 

Picnic lunch lakeside 

Steak and tomato sandwich

Bottled Blue Moon beer

Reading in camp chairs

Schnauzer, Schnoodle in our laps

shade-napping in the hammock

Fresh salmon filets 

square picnic table dining 

spring splendor grilling 

Families of ducks 

New ducklings finding their way

Sticking together

Family cookout

Post-loss grief, finding new ways

of togetherness