Tag: pick a word

Haibun: The Day After

a blue and white whippet in a winter jacket standing on the seashore covered in seafoam

The sleet shower has passed and we wrap up warm for a walk towards the shore. A few people are already there, surveying the damage. Some rocks from the seawall have been washed away, there are creels resting in strange places.

Seafoam floats in rockpools and hides the tidal sands. The dogs are sure-footed, leading the way. It is as if they remember the shape of every dip and outcrop.

beach combing
a curl of wood smoke
through the salt air

© Xenia Tran

close up of seafoam floating in rockpools and resting on tidal sands

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by Storm Arwen and we hope you are all safe and well.

Wishing you a blessed Monday and a peaceful week ahead,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

PI Poetry Prompt: Float

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word November 2021 (Surrounded)

Word of the Day Challenge: Sure

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Puente Poetry: Voices in the Rain

Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhain

a black whippet in a raincoat looking alert among scattered autumn leaves in the forest

All the songs are living ghosts and long for a living voice.
Brendan Kennelly (17.04.1936 – 17.10.2021)

***

... high in the rafters I hear the bell of her laughter, silvered and beautiful.
Máire Mhac an tSaoi (04.04.1922 – 16.10.2021)

a blue and white whippet in a raincoat on a hilly forest trail

rain falls in golden leaves, in the dark,
deep water of Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhain
the colours of pine, birch and fir are reflected

~ in the beginnings of new-found peace ~

a voice tells us the rain will stop when
we climb the steep hill while the sky clears
to hear poets and spirits mingle

© Xenia Tran

Loch Beinn a' Mheadhain in autumn

Though we live in a world that dreams of ending
that always seems about to give in
something that will not acknowledge conclusion
insists that we forever begin.

Brendan Kennelly

We were very sad to hear of the passing of Irish poets Máire Mhac an tSaoi and Brendan Kennelly over the weekend and our thoughts and prayers are with their family, friends, colleagues and students at this difficult time.

Both leave behind a rich body of work and their gift to the world is treasured by many.

Wishing you all a blessed Monday and a peaceful week ahead,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

PI Prompt: Voice

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word in October 2021 (Transcoloured)

Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge: Hillside

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Haiku: Pilgrim’s Way

Loch Beinn a’ Mheadhain

a blue and white whippet climbing stone steps to a mountain view point

pilgrim’s way
a glimpse of light to see
what we pray for

© Xenia Tran

view over Loch Beinn a' Mheadhain in autumn

Wishing you all a blessed Thursday and a peaceful rest of the week,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Current

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word – October 2021 (Sky High, Sanctuary)

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Tanka: White Campion

tidal river
the sand in the dunes
deep and soft
where pilgrims made pledges
white campion blooms

© Xenia Tran

Wishing you all a wonderful Thursday and a peaceful rest of the week,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Tanka Thursday: Soft

Word of the Day Challene: Wondrous

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word in August (Flexuous, Astonishing)

Haiku: River Spirit

three leaps
a salmon dazzles
with his spirit

© Xenia Tran

Wishing you all a happy Thursday and a peaceful rest of the week,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Thank you Cee for honouring us with this post as a CFFC Featured Blogger!

CFFC Featured Blogger Banner

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word – Riverside, Flow

CFFC: It’s a Small World

We are honoured and delighted that four images from our sister blog Tranature have been included in the Nairn River Swans & Waterfowl Trust 2022 Calendar.

For more information please visit our Caring for River Wildlife post.

Wordless Wednesday: In the Flow

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Wordless Wednesday

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word – Tidal, Flow

CFFC: Blue

Puente Poetry: Spirals

turning into the wood from the old
carriage route where trees breathe through
knots and leaves teaming with bird song
our inner child begins to smile

~ by a stone hopscotch spiral ~

with footprints of fairy folk,
squirrel, pine marten, hare,
badger and sika deer whose presence
we are always feeling

© Xenia Tran

Wishing you all wonderful Thursday,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Ground, Sand, Dirt, Paths, Walks, Trails and Roads

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word – Continuity, Inward, Pedestrian, Reflecting

PI Poetry Prompt: Breathe

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Wordless Wednesday: Seeking Stillness

Cairngorms National Park

a blue and white whippet in a fleece jacket on the shores of Loch an Eilein
Loch an Eilein and castle in Spring

Wishing you all a wonderful Wednesday,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Settings: f/1.8 1/4000 s – ISO 500, f/1.8 – 1/4000 s – ISO 220 and f/1.8 – 1/4000 s – ISO 250.

Wordless Wednesday

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word – April 2021 (furry, picturesque)

Sijo: Where Eagles Rise and Soar

Cairngorms National Park

a blue and white whippet in fleece jacket on a mountain trail

catching the scent of deer, their presence feels so near
the trail we’re walking, from glen to hill to snow-filled pass
our eyes rest on the eyrie, where eagles rise and soar

© Xenia Tran

a snow-covered corrie in the Cairngorms

If you’re new to the Sijo form, you can find an earlier poem and short description here.

Wishing you all a blessed Monday and may you stay safe and well,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Settings: f/5.6 – 1/1250 s – ISO 400, f/4 – 1/1000 s – ISO 400 and f/8 – 1/500 s – ISO 100.

PI Poetry Prompt: Soar

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word – April 2021 (furry)

Weekend Sky #25

Tanka: The Gift

two whippets in winter jackets on the beach, one of them chasing a ball

sunshine breeze
a present
in the gull’s eyes
that looks older than today
even when it’s younger

© Xenia Tran

view from the beach of a tidal lagoon and sand bar

Wishing you all a wonderful Thursday and a peaceful rest of the week,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/2.8 – 1/2000 s – ISO 100 and f/4 – 1/1000 s – ISO 100.

Tanka Thursday: Present

Thursday’s Special: Pick a Word (Variegated)