Still Life with Asian Pears
Seeking Shelter
Stillness of an autumn dawn
disturbed by tap, tap, tap –
a woodpecker on a snag
that displays a few yellow leaves –
and the voices of birds
who have abandoned nests,
whose eggs have hatched.
A time of renewed searching
to stitch together shelter and sustenance
before arrival of wild, winter winds.
Lainie Senechal
Swamp Maples of Back River
Early October
Autumn makes its slow entrance,
vibration of brilliant red
finally settles on swamp maples
that line shore of Back River,
while oaks retain their drab green.
A solitary gull flies low
over sun-sparkled lake
as October’s golden light
illuminates purple clouds.
Soon bulbs will be buried,
before the first freeze,
our hope for an early spring.
Lainie Senechal
Bennings Green Tint
Autumn’s Beginning
A ball is drawn down the path
towards another season,
stream of time trickles forward -
a pull to autumn’s beginning.
The track is not smooth
but seems to double back
as summer still lingers.
Leaves begin to fall,
while the August fly continues
to hum its raspy tune.*
Lainie Senechal
* August fly is another name for a cicada.
August Bouquet
Summer Moves On (an ovillejo)
Black-eyed Susan puts on a show,
summers go –
cicadas sing season’s song,
time moves on.
Corn grows sturdy and so tall,
soon comes fall.
Languid days that to us call,
August hours that give great joy,
but these moments are quite coy –
summers go, time moves on, soon comes fall.
Lainie Senechal
The ovillejo, which means ” tight little ball of twine”, is an old Spanish poetry form. I learned the form from Rhina Espaillat.
Seckel Pears
Summer’s Bounty
Bees float over lawn,
search for a spot
with small white clover.
Goldfinch’s yellow feathers
flash in large catmint
where it sits like a queen
on top of stalk to feast
on plant’s tiny seeds.
In the heart of summer
each creature secures
sustenance from the bounty
this season brings.
Lainie Senechal
HydrangeaRoll of thunder comes closer.
Wind shrieks in branches,
Deluge blurs distant shore
and beats heavily on roof.
Rabbits shelter under tree roots,
birds nestle in sturdy nests
and wait, like us, for
the tempest to cease.
Lainie Senechal
A Vortex of Changing Emotionsslowly comes to an end,
the pair is overwhelmed by
a vortex of changing emotions –
and hitch a quick ride
to the star-studded heavens.
The cycle, however, is fixed,
patience required to wait
for the appointed evening.
One night of ecstasy
that erases the sorrow
of departure and
annual segregation.
Lainie Senechal
Tanabata: According to legend, each July 7th the weaver star (Vega) and cowherder star (Altair) traverse the Milky Way to renew their ancient bond of love.
Announcement: Lainie will have artwork and poetry in this festival:
Pink Peony
Summer Returns
As summer returns
restless weather settles
into warmer hours.
Now birds raise broods
in hidden nests.
The nights – mild and calm.
A brilliant sun favors
the long, hot hours.
This is the desired season,
despite expected cycle,
a place we wish to stay.
Lainie Senechal
Lilacs in a Vase
A World of Spring
Lilacs’ perfume permeates
breezes that sail
through windows open
to a world of spring.
No storms disturb
season’s delights,
only small waves
lap a rocky shore
under a sunset
that flows like lava
onto the still lake.
Lainie Senechal
Plum Blossoms
Spring’s Path
Aurora’s birds, in vigorous chorus,
celebrate arrival of green days.
Fields that had declined into
dry, brown stubble are
a wonder of new shoots.
Tiny insects emerge into warmth.
Immense skies fill with
golden light, as spring
moves along its steady path.
Lainie Senechal