This Moody Fall

Diverse Words and Pictures

Hello, Dear Readers,

I believe we can agree that the fall of 2024 has put a lot on our minds as Americans. I haven’t posted politics here as I do elsewhere, but this evening, I share what means the most to me as a 73 year old woman. I trust that the person I voted for will keep her oath to protect and defend our democracy, won't selfishly, stupidly, and maliciously squander our freedoms, and will not sell out to our enemies, because, I believe, she cares about our grandchildren's future as she does ours. I want government to keep us safe. I want a system that won't neglect those who need and want help, instead of treating them with contempt. I want fair and just treatment of immigrants, allowing those who want to contribute to our economy a chance. I feel we have the right to essential health care, and wholesome food. We have a right to and the need for freedom of expression, freedom to love as we choose, and reproductive freedom. We must have a free press, freedom from destructive, demoralizing lies, and propaganda, freedom of assembly, and freedom to speak our minds. I trust our beautiful natural places will be preserved so future generations will be free to roam them.

So, poets, writers, artists, friends, you probably guessed my choice for president. Hope she is yours, too!

Having said all that, I'd like to share a small set of my image poems: haiga, or shahai, in the Japanese style. All but the last image are by me, with my haiku and senryu. I hope they brighten your spirit!

to stir the soul — sight and scent of autumn rose

at dusk/her kayak/ makes for shore

Dead man's curve/come back come back

rise to the occasion — red sauce bubbles in a copper pot

a single oak/that will not mingle/in the forest stands apart

redolence of cedar as I walk through mountain mist

through these trees/we pass again/warm winds

Birds gone to roost/yet data flies freely

Until next time!

I couldn’t find the source of this brilliant Japanese landscape print. The figures - I think they are women -- who seem to express awe at the colorful fall vista, are endearingly human.