moon, mutable orb
pitch ceaselessly waxes, wanes
tides ever tuning
~
I love to revisit old work and see what I might tease from it. Is this an improvement or something entirely new? I’ll let you decide. The original:
light, vacillating
orb waxes, fills, wanes, renews
still, daily moves tides
~
Play on, fellow wordsmiths.
~ Tanya
as always: photo and words©️2024 Tanya Cliff
Inceptive thaw sensed
Embryos shed old seed coats
then, naked, ascend
words and photography ©️2024 Tanya Cliff
Snow slowly melts.
Frigid rivulets
form dangling daggers.
Moonlight, through jagged reflections,
flashes pointed warning—
rising temps release nature’s knives.
©️2024 Tanya Cliff
late spring freeze shocks bloom
snow falls on tender petals
patient blush persists
~
©2020 Tanya Cliff
This week, my family will be welcoming the first of a new flock of chickens. Those of you who have been with me a long time might know that we used to live out on acreage, complete with chickens, ducks, turkeys, and a large garden. We had relocated to the Madison area a few years ago and bought a house in town. While it had its conveniences, we all missed the land and the birds.
Last fall, we moved back into the country on ten acres in the beautiful Driftless Region of Wisconsin, land untouched by the last glaciation. In a few days, we will welcome the first of our new flock, three Cuckoo Maran hens. For me, it feels a bit like welcoming old friends home.
When the threat of coronavirus passes, we will all come out of our homes and reconnect with family and friends, strengthening our deepest bonds, breathing the fresh air, and revisiting familiar places. We will pick up where we left off, albeit with the changes that life demands. Still, we will pick up and carry on.
Stay safe and healthy, everyone.
I’ve hiked this trail before
winding through a wooded wonderland
in awe
today,
air sweet with the detritus
dampened
by spring’s morning mists,
I breathe
lost in a tree-born revere
my soul plays in the canopy
my toe, earth bound,
snags the arching twist
of an exposed root
hiding under last fall’s rotting leaves
I stumble, startled
catch myself against a tree
its rough bark—a finger hold—
steadies me
I rest my back against this strong friend
yes, this one
whose rude root
tripped me
I trace the root back to this tree
Guilty!
Old Confidant!
this friend
responds with shaking laughter
as the wind rattles
bare limbs
just stretching from
winter’s rest
this tree chuckles
and
breathes me
~
Words and Photography ©2019 Tanya Cliff ~ to contact me
Posted in poetry & free verse.
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These crazy, trying days will pass. They always do. Looking back through some of my old pieces, I found this “Whisper” for you. I hope it encourages you through whatever challenges you face today. I will be spending most of my day planting seeds and preparing for a new flock of chickens…savoring every moment of that fresh spring air. Peace, love, and stay healthy!
Distant…
Hands long for the warmth of flesh
to touch
to hold
to love
The torn social fabric
Covers our mouths
Shielding us
From
Each
Other
This day, too, shall pass—
it always does—
not fast enough for most,
far too quickly for some…
We Mourn
Like doves, tossed in the storm,
Like sheep, led to the slaughter,
Like lone wolves…
Distant…
We howl at the insensitive moon.
It waxes.
It wanes.
It cycles.
We will sort through the carnage—
we always do—
and comfort each other
touch
hold
love
And mend the social fabric
Breathe the fresh air
And Celebrate…
a
…pandemic, DISTANT
©️2020 Tanya Cliff
no snapshot in time
the human tide ebbs and flows
sands shift, alter coasts
~
©️2020 Tanya Cliff
silver-lined clouds drift
latent plants, contained in buds
wait, through winter freeze
~
#staysafe #stayhealthy #stayhome
~
©2020 Tanya Cliff
larval-shaped Monarch
shows Milkweed deep gratitude
with devouring bites
~
©2020 Tanya Cliff
~
