A few snowflakes brush our faces and melt before touching the ground. We are not sure, where they came from. The patch of sky above us is translucent blue. Across the loch, clouds hover above the snow-capped peaks. Perhaps they travelled from there, on the wind.
crossing the bridge the sound of spring in flowing water
The Akita International Haiku Network has organised the World Haiku Series 2021 ‘as a token of gratitude to our friends for their great contribution and their deep love of haiku’ and I am deeply humbled, honoured and grateful to contribute haiku and images to these special series too. A warm-hearted thank you to Mr Hidenori Hiruta for his beautiful translations, to the Akita International Haiku Network for the organisation and to all the sponsors who made this series possible.
After a frosty night, the sun warms the day. The light shines through leafless trees, glitters in the brown heather. A sandy trail meanders through gorse and pine towards the sea.
gentle breeze a wagtail darts in and out of the shadows
It is safe to return to the woods now the storms have passed and it takes a while to find our bearings. Where once was a path, the ground is covered with fallen branches. Where, until recently, trees stood filled with squirrels and birdsong, we discover wide open spaces filled with light. The usual landmarks where we would turn right and right again have disappeared and we fall back on an ancient, inner compass.
World War Two defences along our coast are tilting and sinking into tidal sands. Blocks of cement filled with local stone were here to stop tanks arriving via ship and water. After the war, these lines were left here, just in case. Today, some are used to rest towels of swimmers and surfers. Others become picnic tables or a shelter from the wind. When you touch them with your hand you feel the vibration of wind and waves, the pulse of the earth in the local stone. There is a lot to be grateful for when we remember all those who helped us live in peace.
You must be logged in to post a comment.