Carpe Diem #159, Zodiac

Moon in Sagittarius

~ 1 ~

from the sky to you
i am sagittarius
and i do not lie

~ 2 ~

is our fortune
written in the stars
some signs say yes

~ 3 ~

old man counts the stars

reflects on constellations
shares selene's light

~ 4 ~

in the zodiac
there is neither moose nor goose

ancient oversight

~ 5 ~

in the zodiac
arachne's disappointment
 scorpion instead

~:~:~:~:~

Carpe Diem #159

Carpe Diem #158, Yanagi (Willow)

~ 1 ~

when the willow
whispers to the cool spring wind
do the pine trees listen

~ 2 ~

long haired old woman
tresses drooping to the ground
why are you weeping

~ 3 ~

ask not
for whom the willow weeps
it weeps for thee

~ 4 ~

beneath a willow
an old man stops to listen
the leaves whisper

~ 5 ~

sad willow tree weeps
moose will eat it leaf and bark
goose prefers forbs

~ 6 ~

black widow spider
dowager of the willow
weeps not for her mate

~:~:~:~:~

Carpe Diem #158

Trifextra: Week Sixty-One

The challenge:

This weekend we're asking for exactly 33 words including an idiom somewhere within.  Examples of idioms include - add fuel to the fire or wear your heart on your sleeve.  You can find more examples and a definition of idiom here.  Good luck!

Hey, no prob!

~~()~~

IDIOTM

I was horny, and came on like gangbusters.
She, mad as a wet hen, knocked me for a loop.
I was seeing stars.
But they were porn stars.

I was in hog heaven.

~~()~~

Six Word Saturday

Four

generations at

our house tomorrow

 ~~~()~~~

 Roast rabbit:

Good with scrambled eggs?

 ~~~()~~~

Spring at last

See my crocuses

Five Sentence Fiction - Flame

 FLAME

Last night we made love by the hearth.

We clung so tightly, then slept in the embers' warm glow.

Warm, like our love, I thought.

But when morning came she was gone.

In the fireplace nothing but cold, grey ash.

Carpe Diem Special #29, Onitsura's 'voice of the pine-tree'

 inspirational haiku

suzukaze ya koku ni michite matsu no koe

the cool breeze
fills the empty vault of heaven
with the voice of the pine-tree

(c) Onitsura (1660-1738)

 ~o~o~o~

my humble inspirations

~ 1 ~

a cardinal sings
to find the singer look high
in the tallest tree

~ 2 ~

the pine tree whispers
and the spring breeze responds
do you understand

~ 3 ~

without the breeze
pine tree's sacred wisdom
would stay a secret

~ 4 ~

soft spring breezes
sing with a pine needle scent
music for the soul

~ 5 ~

when the old man speaks
all the pine trees listen
the breeze overhears

~ 6 ~

under a pine tree
safe from the whispering wind
moose and goose tell all

~ 7 ~

from the pine tree top
spider sees her hatchlings go
sail on the spring breeze

~o~o~o~

Carpe Diem Special #29

Crocuses and a Migrating Crocus

The one purple crocus comes up later

and fades faster than the yellow ones

 March 21, 2010

just three years ago
he stood apart from the blondes
aloof or disdained

March 20, 2013

where is our cousin

all the blondes are wondering

family's purple sheep

March 29, 2013

one purple crocus
still at the edge of the flock
seeking acceptance

~:~:~:~

Take this as a metaphor if you wish.

And, yes, I am suggesting that crocuses migrate.

 ()      ()      () 

|___|___|

Friday Flash 55

Image Source

ALAS, INDEED!

Alas, poor Yorick!

Was he stabbed?  Poisoned?

Who knows? But still dead

Then .  .  .

He lost his head

Was he worse off then Marie Antoinette?
Or better?

Having seen dear friends
Devolve into dementia where they

Hallucinate
Forget their family members
Can’t find the bathroom

I’ve come to appreciate the virtues
Of a nice clean beheading

~:~:~:~:~:~:~

Inspired by this post for last week's FF 55

and too damned much of real life

For this week's FF 55 entries
visit The G-Man

Carpe Diem #157, Tanpopo (Dandelion)

My yard -- May, 2011

I first posted this picture on 5/15/11, accompanied by this quasi-haiku

These cute little blonds

Stand out against the green grass,

So  --  OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!

Now, on to today's efforts

 ~ 1 ~

king of the lawn
decked out in its yellow mane
a dandy lion

~ 2 ~

a noxious weed
or for the open-minded
wine and a salad

~ 3 ~

just like the old man
when dandelion ages
its head turns white

~ 4 ~

for moose and goose
a field of bright dandelions
tasty smörgåsbord

~ 5 ~

spider hatchling
and a dandelion seed

two kites in the wind

  *

  |

    } | {  

 ____________\|/ ___________

Carpe Diem #157

Corkscrew

Mad Kane informs us that on this day in 1860,  New Yorker M.L. Byrn patented a corkscrew design.

 
hats off to Byrne and his fine
invention for opening wine
an aid to decanting
that obviates ranting
or even a reason to whine

Carpe Diem #156, Tako (kite)

~ 1 ~

high soaring kite
seems to be flying free
bird on a leash

~ 2 ~

dragon kite
soaring high overhead
no fire in the wind

~ 3 ~

no kite this time
Daenerys soars on Drogon
fire in the wind

~ 4 ~
 
your image
on a high flying kite
tugs at my heart strings

~ 5 ~

old man flies a kite
remembering a time when
the wind filled his sails

~ 6 ~

goose's kite string
tangles in moose's antlers
born on an ill wind

~ 7 ~

spider hatchling
sails off on a silken thread
a living kite

  ~~~#        

   /      

  /         

Carpe Diem #156

LA Times Cross-Word Puzzle Blogging -- Wednesday, March 27, 2013 C. C. Burnikel

Theme:  Just take it two days at a time.  Common words that can all precede the word "DAY" and thus describe a recognized event are stacked in the puzzle so that they can be considered paired.

13. *Shady spot : ARBOR.  A garden alcove formed by trees or climbing plants over a trellis.  ARBOR DAY.  A day devoted to the planting and care of trees, nationally on the last Friday in April, but at various times from January through May around the continental U.S. and the first Friday of Nov. in Hawaii.

16. *Furry forecaster? : GROUNDHOG.  A burrowing rodent (Marmota monax), also known as the woodchuck, whistle-pig, or land-beaver.  Nobody knows how much wood it would chuck.  GROUNDHOG DAY.  Feb 2. when the eponymous rodent is coaxed from its cozy hole in the ground to give a mostly inaccurate prediction about the duration of winter.  Also the title and subject of a now classic movie.




27. *Jolly Roger, e.g. : FLAG. A piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is used as a symbol, a signaling device, or decoration.  Roger's design is more distinctive than jolly.

FLAG DAY.  Celebrated on June 14th, commemorates the adoption of the U.S. Flag by the 2nd Continental Congress on that day in 1777.

30. *Formal beginning : INAUGURATION.  The start of a new operation, practice or administration.  INAUGURATION DAY.  The day of the official swearing in of a U. S. president to signal the beginning of her/his administration.

45. *Freedom from control : INDEPENDENCE.  A condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population exercise self-government.   INDEPENDENCE DAY.  Celebrated in the U.S. on July 4th, commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence of the 13 colonies from the Kingdom of Great Britain.  The rest is history.

48. *Leave the ground : LEAP.  Launch oneself skyward, an activity that before which one should generally look.





LEAP DAY.  Feb 29, the added day in leap year, making the most miserable month even longer.  Big mistake, IMHO.

61. Big name in publishing, and a visual hint to the three adjacent pairs of answers to starred clues : DOUBLEDAY.   Famous publiher of many fiction and non-fiction books.  DOUBLE  DAY.  Two days at a time, or one day at a time if you live under a double star.

Hi, gang, it's JzB guiding you though a nifty DOUBLE play turned by our fearless leader and dynamic soloist.  Come along, let's make a day [or two] of it.

Carpe Diem #155, Oborozuki (hazy moon)

Minnesota Public Radio

~ 1 ~

in hazy moonlight
long ago beneath a tree
our first kiss

~ 2 ~

in hazy moonlight
I see my wife and know
her beauty endures

~ 3 ~

in hazy moonlight
even the mighty oak tree
casts no shadow

~ 4 ~

 
silhouette of wings
against the hazy moon
a lunar moth

~ 5 ~

the hazy moon glows
wispy clouds float overhead
a proud cat prances

~ 6 ~

in hazy moonlight
the brown moose and the white goose
both seem to be grey

~ 7 ~

rings of haze
surround the glowing moon
inspire orb weaver

( ( O ) )

Carpe Diem #155

Carpe Diem #154, Shuntoo (Spring lantern)

~ 1 ~

by lantern light
when I look upon your face
lovely mystery

~ 2 ~

one evening in spring
as we walked under the trees
raindrops in lamplight

~ 3 ~

in the spring lamp light
casting a squat shadow
a fat toad

~ 4 ~

in the lantern light
old man sits and listens
by an empty chair

~ 5 ~

lamps in the distance
moose and goose don't understand
think they are fireflies

~ 6 ~

springtime lantern light
death trap for moths and flies
spider goes hungry

~*~:~*~

Carpe Diem #154

The Sunday Whirl

Wordle 101

~ : ~

in the desert
bent by the unbroken wind
a single gnarled tree

~ : ~

in the desert
country music is sung by
the wayward wind

~ : ~

in the desert
is a mirage a trick
of the eye or mind

~ : ~

in the desert
coyote travels disguised
but wolf does not

~ : ~

in the desert
an ever-shifting dunescape
wound by the wind

~ : ~

in the desert
like yesterday and today
all days bleached and sere

~ : ~

in the desert
old bones lie forgotten
bleached by the sun

~ : ~

in the desert
follow fox and not coyote
for the way across

~ : ~

in the desert
cacti live for decades
no need to hurry

~ : ~

in the desert
beneath a broken glass jar
spider spins her web

~ : ~

in the desert
if you wait long enough
all things turn to sand

~ : ~

in the desert
amid cactus and primrose
my cold heart is stirred

Carpe Diem #153, Haru ta (Spring paddy fields)

~ 1 ~

spring paddy field
green as the Dothraki Sea
drown in the silence

~ 2 ~

spring paddy fields
land baron with MBA
sees prime golf course plot

~ 3 ~

in the paddy field
old man alone and quiet
basks in solitude

~ 4 ~

the rice comes later
for now moose and goose
dine on vetch

~ 5 ~

in the quiet field
you are never quite alone
spider is lurking

___                       

\_____

                         \___

Carpe Diem #153

Carpe Diem Special #28, Onitsura's Cherry-Flowers

 Image Source

Inspirational haiku, by Onitsura

 saku-karani miru-karani hana no chiru-karani

the cherry-flowers bloom;
we gaze at them;
they fall, and ...

Inspired haiku, by JzB

~ 1 ~

remember last year
the cherry blossoms fell
this year .  .  .  the next .  .  .

~ 2 ~

cherry blossoms fall
what does this mean to me
or to you

~ 3 ~

cherry blossoms fall
like the blushing maidens fall
later  .  .  . the fruit

~ 4 ~
 

cherry blossoms fall
old man in the pink shower
holds fast his secret

~ 5 ~
 

cherry blossoms fall
moose and goose wander by
have them for dessert

~ 6 ~
 

cherry blossoms fall
orb weaver spinning her web
takes no notice

~ 7 ~

[inspired by Bjorn]

like the cherry bloom
in the rich fullness of time
even mountains fall

~:~:~:~

Carpe Diem Special #28

Five Sentence Fiction

CONQUER

Picture Source

My wife burst into the tower chamber and found me naked in bed with the girl I had just deflowered.

While she screamed, calling me and the poor girl, who huddled terrified under the sheets, the most vile names imaginable, I poured myself a large flagon of sweet Dornish wine and sipped it, leaning against the mantle until her rage was spent.

"Klarys," I said, you know I truly love you, but occasionally I get a taste for something young, fresh and tender; and in my time as King, I've learned that when I want something, I can usually have it.

"What I want from you is to make yourself presentable, for you will be at my side tonight, smiling, beautiful, and very much my Queen, when we entertain that disgusting envoy from Braavos, and just now you do look a sight."

I turned to the girl and said, "Sweetling, my wife appears to be feeling neglected, so I shall spend the night in her chamber; but you won't be lonesome: a maid from the Summer Isles will stay with you -- and, mayhaps teach you a thing or two.

Carpe Diem #152, Hanagumori (Blossom Haze)

~ 1 ~

haze of pink blossoms
i can't see the forest
for the flowers
 
~ 2 ~

lost in the fog
a pink haze surrounds us
do not be frightened

~ 3 ~

wide open petals
why have I lost my focus
i feel in the pink

~ 4 ~

moose and goose
untroubled by the pink haze
they are colorblind

~ 5 ~

pink haze no matter
tight focus on detail work
spider spins her web

~:~:~

 Carpe Diem #152

Carpe Diem Imagination #4, Weeping Cherry

Today, Krisjaan inspires us with a picture

Weeping Cherry

~ 1 ~

pink blossom cascade
trunk all in gnarly knots
weeping cherry

~ 2 ~

from the drooping branches
a windborn sweep of petals
shower of pink tears

~ 3 ~

ask not
for whom the cherry weeps
it weeps for thee

~ 4 ~

moose and goose pause
beneath the weeping cherry
exchange knowing looks

~ 5 ~

old man pauses
beneath the weeping cherry
sheds a silent tear

~ 6 ~

in drooping branches
spider spins her lethal trap
she weeps for no one

 
    _    _
  /    \/   \
   |     ||     |
   |     ||     |
   __||__

Carpe Diem Imagination #4

Friday Flash 55

This week, the G-Man gave us a fun and light-hearted mini-romp.

Mine is in a much darker hue.

 

Image from B&N [and my apologies to Mr. Olsen]

LAST RIGHT

I sat in the last pew.

Her husband sat in front, head bowed.

Her daughters, now almost grown women, looking so much like her, gave the readings.

I shed my silent tear, prayed for the repose of her soul; that her sins may be forgiven; and thanked God that they would never have to know.

__________\|/_________

100 WCGU # 81

 100 WCGU challenge:  "…the unseasonal weather meant …"

~ : ~

BLOSSOMS

It's just a bit above freezing today, with snow coming down, not too heavy.   Last year there was no winter, to speak of.  The cherry trees bloomed a full month early, only to be nipped after a few weeks by a late frost.  A year ago today it was like high summer. We had dinner on the patio, some drinks, and after dusk made love in the moonlight. 

She asked what the unseasonal weather meant, and could ask it again had she stayed.  She should have stayed.  Michigan – at least its weather - is just like her.

Tomorrow could be so different from today.

~ : ~

Carpe Diem #151, Haru Fukashi (deep Spring)

Oh my.  As I write this, it is 34 degrees, overcast, and a very light snow is falling.  Not exactly deep winter, but far from deep spring, so I will have to resort to wishing and hoping.

~ 1 ~

walk with me my love

the day's warmth a reminder

of how dear you are

~ 2 ~

crocuses give way

to tulips in deep spring

roses are coming

~ 3 ~

in the depth of spring

old man basks in the bright sun

warms his weary bones

~ 4 ~

in deep spring

moose and goose frolic

in a shallow spring

~ 5 ~

some spider hatchlings

eat their mother for breakfast

in the depth of spring

~:~:~:~

Carpe Diem #151

Sensatinal Haiku Wednesday - Continuity

at the equinox
winter gives way to springtime
the circle of life

Carpe Diem #150, Haru Higan (Spring Equinox)

The vernal equinox symbolizes the reawakening of life after a dormant Winter.  From the Druids we get the equinox celebration of Alban Eilir, the Light of the Earth, and also the mysterious Druid's Egg, also known as the Adderstone.

And from John Coltrane we get this.

 ----( | )----

From me, all you get is this:

~ 1 ~

at equinox

I pray for a time with

light and dark equal

~ 2 ~

serpents gathered

in an ancient right

get stoned together

~ 3 ~

kiss of sun and moon

forests and grass lands wake up

from a Winter's sleep

~ 4 ~

at equinox

old man sees the all of the world

in black and white

~ 5 ~

white goose black moose

share the sun and the moon

together

~ 6 ~

equinox

time of joy for orb weaver

insects on the way

UPDATE: inspired by Ese, I checked my yard and found my crocuses were up

~ 7 ~

equinox
a perfect time for flirting
with some little blondes

 ----( | )----

Carpe Diem #150

Carpe Diem #149, Tsukushi (horsetail)

 

 Photo by Kim Willis found Here

I did a little research and confirmed that the horsetail is commonly found in Michigan, and a wide variety of other places.  I guess I need to examine my weeds more carefully.  Horsetail is a primitive plant that  reproduces by spores, not seeds, and spreads underground via rhizomes.  Both moose and goose will eat horsetail, though "horsetail stems and branches are covered with silicate deposits that keep many animals from eating them." [from the website linked above]  Interestingly, though, the plant is toxic to sheep, cows and horses.   This is not the European purple horsetail flower.

__\|/__\|/__\|/__

~ 1 ~

primitive plant

do you remember a time

before wanton men

~ 2 ~

primitive horsetail

with rhizome tuber and spore

still so complex

~ 3 ~

moose and goose

disdain the cattle's warnings

dine on horsetail

~ 4 ~

fine field of horsetail

moose laments his own scant stub

goose preens tail feathers

~ 5 ~

amid the horsetails

orb weaver spins her new home

safe from cattle's jaws

__\|/__\|/__\|/__

Carpe Diem #149

Carpe Diem #148, Aomugi (green barley)

Writing haiku is a discipline.  I am embracing difficult prompts as an exercise, in the hope of improving basic skills.  Rather like playing scales and etudes.   The results might not always be ready for prime time, but I offer them to you, such as they are.

Late thought update: here are the inspirational haiku by Sono-jo, a haiku poetess and pupil of Buson:

 te wo nobete ori-yuku haru no kusaki kani

as I go along,
stretching out my hand and plucking
the grasses and leaves of Spring

And from Kristjaan:

touching the spikes
of green barley covered with raindrops -
refreshing tears

__\|/__\|/__\|/__

My humble offerings

~ 1 ~

rain covered barley
in a pot with onions
soup starter

~ 2 ~

cut on my finger
from the sharp edge of a leaf
green barley revenge

~ 3 ~

old man
malts green barley
still knows what to do

~ 4 ~

moose and goose walking
stretch out their long necks to pluck
green barley

~ 5 ~

amid the green barley
orb weaver stakes out her claim
in woven silk


__\|/__\|/__\|/__

Carpe Diem #148

Carpe Diem Special #27, Onitsura's Valley Stream

 Inspirational haiku by Onitsura

 tani-mizu ya ishi mo utayomu yama-zakura

the wild cherry:
stones also are singing their songs
in the valley stream

 My humble offerings

~ 1 ~

swift flowing water
always knows the way down hill
in the valley's depth

~ 2 ~

at river's edge
old man sings a water song
of rocks life and time

~ 3 ~

the wild cherry
what does it know of travel
the rock songs don't tell

~ 4 ~

the wild cherry
grows at will in the valley
untamed by bees

~ 5 ~

the wild cherry
envy of the orchard
longs for love

~ 6 ~

wild cherry
in the cleft of the valley
what is your secret

~ 7 ~

valley stream
the swift flow of snow melt
regales moose and goose

~ 8 ~

by the fishing stream
water bugs flit and fly
spider casts her net

~~~~~~~~

Carpe Diem Special #27

Carpe Diem #147, Hatsu hana (first cherry blossom)

Cherries are grown commercially in the northwest region of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.  Blossoms generally burst forth in early May.  Since this is outside of the local tourist season, few get the chance to see them.  Last year, the winter was extremely mild, and March was almost summery.  The Cherry trees blossomed in the first week of April - a full month early - and the crop was severely damaged by one night of late hard frost.  It snowed again today here in lower Michigan.  No early spring this year, it seems, and for cherry lovers, that might be a blessing.

As near as I can tell, Michigan cherries have white, not pink blossoms.

Michigan Cherry Blossoms

Picture Found Here

~ 1 ~

Michigan cherry

beware the late spring frost

do not bloom too soon

~ 2 ~

first cherry blossom

you bring the promise of spring

and joy to my heart

~ 3 ~

new white blossom

such a warm and welcome sight

after months of snow

~ 4 ~

first cherry blossom

old man remembers when

and smiles

~ 5 ~

moose and goose

stroll amidst the cherry trees

eating dandelions

~ 6 ~

first cherry blossom

soon the insects will arrive

patient spider waits

~ : ~ : ~

Carpe Diem #147

Carpe Diem #146, Tsubame (swallow)

I took a walk this afternoon in a wetland preserve near my house.  Saw many small birds flitting around and heard the joyful sound of their chirping.  No swallows, that I know of, but I was able to get a few pictures of ducks and geese.  Deer wander through there too, but, alas, no moose.

Here's goose

Back to swallows.

As a child in Catholic school I learned that migrating swallows return to the Mission of San Juan Capistrano in California every year on March 19th, St Joseph's Day

~ 1 ~

on Saint Joseph's day 

swallows at Capistrano 

spring is coming 

~ 2 ~

swallows overhead

old man looks up to the sky

feels young again

 ~ 3 ~

spring morning

goose soars with the swallows

moose envies their wings

 ~ 4 ~

bird on the wing 

consumes flying insects 

spider goes hungry

 /\

 ~~( )~~

 /\

Carpe Diem #146

Carpe Diem #145, Nehane (Nirvana Ceremony, Buddha's Nirvana anniversary)

One of my most favorite creatures is the monarch butterfly.  On this day of Nehane I find this innocent haiku by Kakimoto now to be steeped in bitter irony.

on the human body
butterflies are assembling -
Nirvana Festival

And this one by Narayanan Raghunathan now just seems sad.

Nirvana Ceremony -
a butterfly buddha flutters
among human buddhas


This morning my lovely wife alerted me to this article about the strange, precipitous and tragic decline in the monarch butterfly population, down 59% from last year and over 90% from 1997.  We will do our small part by planting a butterfly garden, and specifically including milkweed, the major food source for the monarch butterfly.

~ 1 ~

within the shrine's fence
what a sad surprise to find
a single monarch

~ 2 ~

monarchs suddenly
multiplied by fifteenfold
nirvana

~ 3 ~

nirvana awaits
the passing of the monarchs
old man plants milkweed

~ 4 ~

moose and goose
foraging for other forbs
milkweed for monarchs

~ 5 ~

orb weaver migrates
leaves milkweed for the monarchs
buddha smiles

\/

~~ :|: ~~

Carpe Diem #145

Carpe Diem #144, Yuki no hate (end of snow)

We got a slight snow cover last night.  Partly sunny today, but still a bit below freezing, and it all evaporated.

Here are my thoughts, with an assist to Kristjaan

~ 1 ~

last snow melts

now the ground will be covered

with cherry blossoms

~ 2 ~

end of snow

what do we lose then

as spring is coming

~ 3 ~

late snow falling

old man in a barber chair

clippings on the floor

~ 4 ~

winters end

trees and bushes sprout new blooms

food for moose and goose

~ 5 ~

trees and bushes bloom

leaves sprout on once bare banches

spider's hiding place

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Carpe Diem #144

Three Word + Sensational Haiku Wednesday

The three Wednesday words:
Careful
Hug
Mistake

Plus from Sensational Haiku Wednesday
Sensational (of all things)

Mixing memes, I offer this vignette in senryu form.

she was so careful

with her affection always

sleeping alone

~ : ~

nobody to hug

nobody to break down

her wall of ice

~ : ~

was it her mistake

to be so resolute

or finally give in

~ : ~

being less careful

be it mistake or not

accepting a hug

~ : ~

she discovered

the sensations were indeed

sensational

~(!)~

Carpe Diem #143, Zansetsu (remaining snow)

I see not everyone is a fan of moose and goose.  Ah, well - they are my friends and I hope to have them help us Carpe every Diem.  Spider, on the other hand, seems to be highly regarded, which is bit weird, since spiders creep me out.  Another mystery of life, I guess.

We had snow flurries today, but no accumulation.  I almost went out and took a picture of the last little patch of snow in my yard, but it was dirty and unattractive.  Then I see from Kristjaan's post that that is more or less the point.  Well, its dark now, and I lost my chance.

~ 1 ~

last snow
in the corner of my yard
no longer pristine

~ 2 ~

the old man
sits on the edge of his bed
remembers his sins

~ 3 ~

snowman melts
children run across the field
time to play baseball

~ 4 ~

last snow melts
flows into the icy pond
for moose and goose

~ 5 ~

end of winter
new spider floats on the breeze
with the last snow flakes

~ : <> : ~

Carpe Diem #143

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
 

Here is my teaser, with an added senryu, to make it a bit of a haibun.

Arya lifted her gaze from the dead man and his dead dog.  Jaqen H'ghar was leaning up against the side of the Wailing Tower.

young girl's revenge

cruel justice meted out

by a faceless man

If you know anything about George. R. R. Martin's book series A Song of Ice and Fire, or the derived HBO series Game of Thrones, you'll recognize these characters.  This snippet is from the end of one of the Arya chapters on Pg 566 of the paperback edition of the second book, A Clash of Kings, and takes place during Arya's time at Harrenhal.

I've read  the currently existing 5 books, and this is my 2nd time through.  I'm on Pg 152, but my random opening took me to Pg 566, which is only about 1/3 filled with text.  The sentences immediately preceding this snippet are quite gruesome.

 

Carpe Diem Special #26, Onitsura's Camellia

One thing I learned in preparing for this entry is that the camellia is a long-lived flowering tree, and a member of the same plant family as the tea plant, Camellia sinensis.

Century Old Camellia japonica ‘Sarah Frost’ still Blooming and Growing

Image Source

Inspirational haiku

putting in the water

the vase received

the camellia 

What you get from me 

 ~ 1 ~

boiling in the water
the kettle received
the tea leaves

~ 2 ~

spring in the air
sweet enticing aroma of
camellia blossoms

~ 3 ~

moose and goose agree
camellias are beautiful
and tasty

~ 4 ~

camellia blossom
an elegant upscale home
for orb weaver

~(())~

Carpe Diem Special #26

Carpe Diem #142, Uraraka (serene)

~ 1 ~

far from the highway
walking through the nature park
there are no speeders

~ 2 ~

 
early spring morning
calm retiree rolls over
turns off alarm clock

~ 3 ~

serene pond
goose and moose swimming
in tranquility

~ 4 ~

calm spring breeze
orb weaver patiently waits
lunch delivery

~~~~~

Carpe Diem #142

Trifextra: Week Fifty-Eight

 Image source

STONE

castle walls once proud
defending lord and peasants alike

stout armies dashed themselves
to death against your stone rigidity

but you were not so impenetrable
as to keep out rats fleas and plague

Trifextra: Week Fifty-Eight

Carpe Diem #141, Kiji (Pheasant)

~ 1 ~

morning mist
over the grassy field
a pheasant rises

~ 2 ~

colorful cock
brightly preens on the prairie
for a dull mate

~ 3 ~

flying pheasant
not fast enough to escape
a shotgun blast

~ 4 ~

goose and pheasant date
dine on seeds and small insects
moose sulks in a lake

~ 5 ~

buzzing insect
flees the foraging pheasant
sticks in spider's web

~(.)~

Carpe Diem # 141