Two Pumpkins: haibun for the ages

Two Pumpkins: haibun for the ages

©2016 Susan Noyes Anderson

The pumpkins are already sitting on my porch. "Aren't you getting those a little early this year?" ask my husband, son, daughter. I answer in the negative, later realizing they are right. Circumstances have made of me a paradox this season: an aging person in a hurry for change. It's as if the wind that blows every falling leaf to its final resting place could propel and remove all the unwelcome detritus of my life, as if the browning of summer and spectacular burst of fall color might put an end to this summer of distress, replacing it with orange hues and scarlet splendor. I long for brisker days; cool, crisp air, the scents of wood and spice. And yes, two pumpkins on my porch. In September.

The silent tree waits.

Tired branches loose their burdens.

Swirling leaves flutter.

Assignment: Write a haibun with one paragraph about change, 

followed by a haiku.

(A haibun is a prosimetric literary form originating in Japan, 

combining prose and haiku.)

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Susan's Season

Autumn in Madeira - Jacek Yerka


Susan's Season
©2014 Susan Noyes Anderson

Fall is a cozy season, made

to match my patchwork house.

What better spot for cider hot,

doughnuts for man

and holes for mouse?

Fall is a spicy season, round

as pumpkins, brisk as tea.

Red-orange leaves tumble from trees,

crunch crunch and crumble,

all for me.

∞§∞

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Arise and Umbrellize

Finland, photo by George F. Mobley

©2014 Susan Noyes Anderson

 

Umbrellas offer solid proof

that weather's not in vain.

Surely a drop of rain deserves

a bit of notice.

What shoddy arrogance denies

the weeping skies in

heads left bare and
hats left home?

Don't float the notion soggy hair

is any less than an affront.

A front deserves respect.

This rain works hard for you.

Don't dis the dew.

Arise and umbrellize!

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Snow? Mais non!

The Mill by Andrew Wyeth

I'll take my snow behind a window, please.
Let it fall freely past the frosty pane,

whilst I sit in my parlor quite at ease,

boots dry, exempt from sidewalk, stairs, and lane.

I will not fault its beauty, nor its grace.

In truth, the sight is pleasing to my view.

Yet I've no wish to feel it on my face,

no urge to build snowman or don snowshoe.

Snow is a splendor better left alone

to drift or swirl or hang upon a bough.

I cannot like that icy undertone

and shall not breach my refuge ere the plow.

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A Eulogy in Five Words

I admit to being a little late with my Saturday Centus today, but I got all caught up in writing my annual Halloween poem for the grandkids (soon to be posted)...and then it was time to watch our SF Giants win the third game in their quest for the pennant. Such an exciting time for all of us in the Bay area! Anyway, as you can see, Jenny has given us a picture prompt today, and for some reason it took me in a prose-y direction. A 100-word limit doesn't quite do this lovely photo justice, does it?

∞§∞

A Eulogy in Five Words Pumpkins

© 2012 Susan Noyes Anderson

Sadie grew up loving pumpkins, and she knew her way around one, too. Why, that woman could scrape the insides of those curious orange globes and make pie or soup or custard or cookies as pretty as you please. She even roasted the seeds for good measure, though she gave those away more often than she ate them, wrapped up in cheesecloth bags and tied with ribbon. Sea salt was the secret. Our Sadie always did favor a personal gift, one she could make with her own hands. And if nature helped out a little along the way, so much the better.

I loved her for the way she loved me. Without reservation, and frequently with pumpkin pudding.

∞§∞

Taking Leave

Jenny has used one of those lovely signs (shown below) that she makes for her Etsy shop as her inspiration for Saturday Centus this week. We are allowed the usual 100 words plus the prompt, along with whatever pictures we choose to display. This week, the prompt can be recognized by its italics.

(As you can see, I am displaying Jenny's very cool sign!)

Taking Leave

©2012 Susan Noyes Anderson

How beautifully leaves grow old.

 In glory, they slip away.

Crimson and scarlet adorn them,

as they skitter along at play.

One day, I shall follow their lead,

though my hair be tinged with gray.

I'll dub it silver, don red shoes,

dance off in gold lamé.

Calypso Night

Wassily Kandinsky

Red Spot II

(Please read while listening to my playlist music.)

Calypso Night

©2012 Susan Noyes Anderson

Listen as the rhythm

of a heated, humid day

meets the drumming of a

fevered, fertile night.

The sun and clouds have dropped

into the sea, simmered away;

now the voodoo moon is

rising, hot and bright.

A sultry dance of orchids

and hibiscus stirs the breeze,

as calypso pulses

magic through your veins.

Your heart beats into music;

passion takes you by degrees.

In the morning, only

memory remains.

Life Is Beautiful

The view is great.

Pumpkins await.

Helpers are dutiful.

Life IS beautiful.

=)

pumpkin photos by tendershootz

Quilts are beautiful, too, so don't forget to comment here

and become part of my 1000th-post contest!

The lucky quilt winners will be announced on Thursday.

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Reflections in Red

It's Saturday Centus day. I'm off to the temple again, so here's a quick stab at pairing Jenny's picture with a plot. In a hundred words, no less. And no more, either!

∞§∞

Reflections in Red

Gazing out on all that red hair reminded Maggie of her own babies, Irish to the core and crowned to make of “carrot-top” an understatement.

“But carrot tops are green,” a voice insisted. Sean. He sounded grand, even in memory. Why did the darlin' boy not call more often? Ah well, it made each holiday the brighter, hearing from him.

She stared until the colors ran together…orange, red and gold as autumn…black, to shade her mood, at once bereft and with the passing years, accepting. How had they grown and slipped away so soon?

Sprinkling tears and faerie dust behind them.

∞§∞

Appreciating Autumn

Autumn is a feeling,

and it takes you for a ride.

It puts you in the driver's seat

and welcomes you inside.

Fall paints as many colors as

a rainbow, bright and bold,

and teaches you to find what's true

in orange, red, and gold.

It shows you what you're made of,

and the harvesting feels good.

Hard work is never wasted

when you've done the best you could.

To reap a great reward brings joy

and deep reflection, too.

The heart remembers all is well,

and love belongs to you.

As seasons come and seasons go,

every end is new.

=)

photos of grandkids by tendershootz

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