Leaves are falling down
Hitting the cold, frosty ground
It is fall calling
My 4th grade granddaughter submitted this haiku. She has given me permission to publish it here.
Granddaughter’s Haiku
Reply
Category Archives: Poetry
Haiku Series #2
Winter’s First Snow
Big snowflakes arrive
Floating gracefully downward
Stuck in a snow drift!
Spring Showers
April rains pour down
Bringing smiles to the farmers
Tractor trapped in mud!
Young Driver
Feeling confident
Driving for the second time
Oops—fender bender!
Dead Battery
Arctic morning—brrr!
Baby on the way today
Start the car—nothing!
Spring’s First Color
Transplanted last fall
Reaching towards the warm sun
Beautiful tulips
Exercise Bike
Alarm rings again
Time to pedal for fitness
Hit the snooze again!
Healthy Reversal
Photo by PhotoMIX Ltd. on Pexels.com
Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes a few years ago
Feeling life’s outlook hitting an unsettling low
Hearing new medical terms with much to learn
“Perfect” health now was a major concern
A doctor was honestly blunt with his views
Realizing now that “sugar is poison for you”
Struggling at first to deal with one’s health
Now understanding that life can be full of wealth
Taking one’s health seriously became the norm
Changing this lifestyle to avoid those storms
New routines are well-established right now
There is no need for anyone to use a crying towel
Taking meds, exercising, and eating smart
Feeling that one’s life is no longer falling apart
I am a living example that anyone can retake charge of his or her health and move forward. About three years ago, I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. For the past two years, my numbers are excellent in terms of blood sugar and cholesterol.
Winter’s Gray Skies
Photo by João Jesus on Pexels.com
Winter has arrived again in the Buckeye State
Looking forward to memories that we can make
Ohio State Buckeyes look terrific in their scarlet and gray
But gray seems to be the gloomy color of each winter day
The friendly sun is absent on most of these days
People hurry down the street with not much to say
How people long to feel the warmth of Mr. Sun
Only to experience gray skies, which means—no fun!
A sunny escape arrives for all, if only for a short stay
Travel to Montana to experience the Big Sky each day
Everyone welcomes cheerful, sunny skies—without any gray
Perhaps the loyal Buckeye fans should move here and stay
Now Buckeyes everywhere can play and appreciate their time
The Big Sky Country is always a unique place of yours and mine
Waiting Room Moments
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Visiting a surgical center on this rainy dawn
Waiting for the procedure to begin with a yawn
A television broadcasts some unfamiliar show
There is little information for anyone to know
From the wall rack, an ancient magazine is found to read
However, morning thoughts are on other tasks and needs
A beautiful painting displays an image of flowers and spring
Oh, trusting that a hidden cell phone doesn’t begin to ring
From a table, one sees a display about the fall season
It presents an alternative to the visit and its reason
The purpose of today’s appointment is clear to all
Let’s pray the test results will make for standing tall
Living a full, long life generates a very joyous time
Hopefully today’s findings will put all on cloud nine
Haiku Series #1
Author’s Note: My high school grandson challenged me to try writing a haiku. I accepted the challenge. Here are a few selections.
Fall Colors
Orange, red, golden
Bright, brilliant, autumn colors
Disappear too fast
Jigsaw Puzzle
Brain teasers challenge
Puzzling pieces fit somehow
Where’s the missing piece?
Gymnast in Motion on Bars
Bar changes, dismount
Shootover, exciting, straddle back
Dynamite Simone
Field Goal
Soccer style kick
Eyes on the ball, relaxed stance
Oops . . . wide to the left!
Ballet Dancer
Graceful pirouettes
Grand allegro, grande jete
What’s all of this jazz?
Teacher’s Final Day
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Sitting in my classroom for one final day
Not quite sure what to think or to say
My gratifying journey has been a long, yet proud one
As these days end, my rewarding work will be done
My thoughts go back to ’78 . . . at my first teaching post
When a small community welcomed me, with the most
An unheralded collection of students helped a rookie to grow
Realizing that each day, there was much to learn and know
Supportive colleagues made me feel welcome and at home
We experienced plenty together, and I never felt very alone
My 40-year career continued across three different states
Each stop along the way, filled my mind with distinctive dates
Returning to nearly endless thoughts at this time
Teaching has been a admirable profession of mine
I began writing this poem on my “final day” of teaching. Little did I know that I would be writing here now. After 40 years and teaching in three different states, my ride has indeed been a pleasure as well as a challenge. I am grateful to Montana, Wyoming, and Ohio for allowing me to teach their children.
A Daughter’s Special Day
Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com
Today is the birthday of a very special woman that I know
My youngest daughter has been a pleasure to see her grow
Daughters are a gift and a blessing from God
He brings them to life with a breath and a nod
My thoughts remember joyous and special days
As she spends her precious time always at play
School days are full of exciting learning and plentiful fun
Constantly smiling to brighten another day like the sun
Academics, music, and athletics fill her heart and soul
Her achievements have been quite remarkable and full
As a teacher now, she guides and molds young minds
I especially hope that her day goes without any binds
Her sisters will leave her special greetings for sure
Their thoughts and wishes will be loving and pure
She has added an awesome husband to her astonishing life
Now she shares much of her daily time being his loving wife
How I wish that I could visit and be with her right now
To tell her of the proud feelings that her father feels—Wow!
Untamed Mustang
The Ford Mustang is a classic, matchless car
It is well-known around the world near and far
Designed with a fleet, sleek, and distinctive frame
Its final destiny will be to drive to the Hall of Fame
The ’65 convertible is a huge favorite of mine
It fills my special memories from time to time
Lee Iococca is the inspiration behind its creation
His pony car creates a newly crowned sensation
Collectors love this car with its vintage look
For many drivers enjoy the swiftness it took
Midnight blue, ruby red, and powerful black
Identify but a few of its sporty colors to track
Chevy produces the Camaro to challenge Ford’s power
Only to see the Mustang make a major film that towers
Steve McQueen drives his ’68 Bullitt in a famous chase
The spectacular scenes tantalize many fans with a taste
Endless generations worship this untamed beast
Driving the Mustang is sure to be a fulfilling feast
America’s Election Night
Photo by Element5 Digital on Pexels.com
Voting has finally finished for another election
Americans have once again made their selections
As the election results begin to trickle in
People grow anxious to learn who will win
The past weeks have bombarded the airwaves with ads
Some of their messages are so negative and very sad
Our President arouses emotions when he expresses views
It is a sham and a shame to blame Fake News
Democrat or Republican, both sides take blame
At times our world never seems to be the same
Many look back at the past and ask to return
But so much has changed and taken a wrong turn
Any nation is only great when its entire population
Unifies and comes together in ways that bring adoration
Falling asleep in my chair with the television still on
I awaken to see a nation coming together as one
America is the home of the brave and the land of the free
Let us all make our country as proud as it should be
This poem is more of an opinion piece. While I am sometimes frustrated and disappointed in America, I still carry high hopes for this nation to repair its dysfunctions and act as one! Every citizen needs to get out and vote in every election. Each vote is important to preserving democracy in the land of the free. Our Founding Fathers built and designed this nation to last and stay strong. Perhaps we need to capture some of their patriotic and unselfish spirit before we go on.
