Thursday, February 13, 2014

Intentions--By Patricia Nolan--United States

Intentions
(haibun)

I pull on my pack and trudge along the trail slowly. Noticing. I stop to absorb the far view or to examine a mountain wildflower, inhaling its morning joy from the night rain soaked earth.

                stony peaks
                    harbor the meadow
                    morning cologne

In the Ponderosa pine forest, vanilla scent perfumes a soft breeze. The rising sun sparkles a small lake visible through a clearing. A stellar jay chatters on a low branch, looking at me cautiously -- a snack perhaps. I sit on a flat, rough granite rock and munch a few rose hips berries as I unpack my paints, brushes, canvas, and set up for a contemplative day of plein-air painting. Honoring the ancients is my intention.

                dawn on Lily Pad Lake
                Monet's brush strokes

(Note--Haibun is a literary form originating in Japan, combining prose and haiku.)


Patricia Nolan is a member of Poetry West in Colorado Springs and the Haiku Society of America. She paints sumi-e (Japanese ink painting), also works in oil, pastel, and acrylic and writes poems in several Asian forms, as well as other poetry, essays, and outdoor articles. Western rivers, mountains, and trails provide most of her inspiration.

7 comments:

  1. Very interesting poetry form Patricia. Enjoyable read. Many of your words reminds me of Lake Tahoe with all the Ponderosa pine trees, beautiful blue sky and the chatter of nature...

    Rhoda Galgiani

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  2. Hello, Pat, it is wonderful to read your unique style and grand word painting of nature! God bless! Sheri

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  3. I love it. Pat. I especially the first 'haiku lines.

    love,
    Kathy

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  4. Dear Patricia,
    I have been taking a lot of nature walks lately and the beauty you describe in your poem surrounds all who travel these paths. When we are feeling down and out, going outside to enjoy the gifts of nature you describe so poignantly can really make us feel better. I love the way you describe the Lily Pad Lake as Monet's brush strokes. Very creative! Excellent poem, Pat. Best wishes, Carolyn Devonshire

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  5. Patricia, this poem is absolutely beautiful like the picture you painted in words. You brought back many memories of vacations in the pines and by the lakes in Arizona when I was a girl. I could even remember the unique smells. Oh to be a little girl once again. And isn't it true as we capture those special memories we do become once again the little child we used to be, carefree, happy and full of anticipation. Thank you for the mini journey "back home".
    Love Charlene

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  6. An interesting form of which I am not familiar myself. That said it flowed well, told me a story and pulled me into your picture and beyond to lose me in your inspiration. Lovely.

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  7. Hi Patricia, I am taking a walk through my mind with your poem, exploring all the awesome images you detail. I must say that I like the walk I am taking. This poem is an inspiration to me. Thank you so much for sharing this. I would like to ask if you will consider submitting some poetry to my publication, Creative Inspirations. More information can be viewed at the TGBTG! Publications website (link below), or you can get my address information from Karen. Thank you and continued blessings!

    -Maurice J. Reynolds, Owner / Editor
    TGBTG! Publications / Creative Inspirations
    www.tgbtgpublictions.com

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