farmer’s market

The Sketchbook thread topic for July/ August 2012 was vegetable(s). I’m thinking that we had the same topic last summer– if so, it should be interesting to go back and look up what I wrote last time. Some prompts are very difficult to respond to, and some are much easier. Perhaps because I enjoy summer so much, and was busy shopping at our local Farmer’s Market when I was writing these haiku, this prompt was easy AND fun to write to.

zucchini the size
of baseball bats
summer’s end

farmer’s market
a ladybug crawls
out of the lettuce
(Editor’s Choice- John Daleiden)

(Guest Editor’s Choice- Bernard Gieske)

the color
of the twilit sky
aubergine

getting acquainted
the tender heart
of an artichoke

Here’s what Guest Editor Bernard Gieske had to say about my “farmer’s market” haiku:

“For me Cara Holman’s haiku evokes the sense of a temporary community of like-minded people who value the same things. This is a friendly gathering of those who cherish the earth and its gifts. The ladybug is no stranger to those who farm organically.  They are the protectors of what the farmer has planted and is growing to sell; consequently, this ladybug is no intruder and should be welcomed, a  sight giving evidence that this lettuce has been grown organically. Ladybugs are also a favorite insect of children. If a child happened to spot this ladybug, I can imagine it crying out with  delight.”

secrets

I’m pleased to be featured on Kathy Nguyen’s Origami Lotus Poetry blog today, in her August Blog Bash feature. Check it out, and while you’re there, don’t miss the other August artists, poets, and writers who are also showcased there. What a wonderful way to celebrate the end of summer!

playground swing
kicking
at clouds
(NaHaiWriMo, November 2011)

***

 

secrets…
the whisper of corn silk
between my fingers
(Sketchbook Haiku Thread, May/ June 2011)

The entire post can be read here.

sapphire sky

(The May/ June haiku thread topic for Sketchbook was “bride / wedding”. I submitted three haiku:

sapphire sky
something borrowed
something blue

aisle walk
the trailing scent
of freesia

(Guest Editor’s Choice- Bernard Gieske)

golden rings
I try on
my new name

(Editor’s Choice- John Daleiden)

(Guest Editor’s Choice- Bernard Gieske)

Editor John Daleiden’s comments can be read here.

Guest Editor Bernard Gieske’s comments can be read here.

March/April Sketchbook Haiku Thread

Of the five haiku I submitted to the Sketchbook “pond life” haiku thread, three of them were named Editor’s Choice.

murky pond
trying to
collect my thoughts

(Editor’s Choice)

old pond
not seeing the frog
until the splash

feathered clouds
a water strider
skims the surface

(Editor’s Choice)

cattails growing
by the pond…
a blackbird’s shadow

(Editor’s Choice)

low clouds
dragonflies hover
above the pond

Frost Flowers

The haiku thread for the January/February 2012 Sketchbook journal was “precious gems”. At first I was totally stumped. Everything I wrote seemed too flowery. And then I got the idea to stick with diamonds, and write a sequence of haiku that chronicled my history with that gem. This seemed to be particulary fitting, as my husband and I approach our 30th anniversary later this month. I submitted these as individual haiku in the Sketchbook thread, but present them here as a sequence, which is how I wrote them.

Frost Flowers

frost flowers
the sparkling allure
of diamonds

only one question
only one answer
diamond ring

picking out
a diamond solitaire…
together

first anniversary
the glint of her diamond
undiminished

princess party
her diamond tiara
and jewel-encrusted scepter

thirtieth anniversary
he gives her books
instead of pearls

morning dew
the foreverness
of diamonds

November/ December 2011 Sketchbook

It’s always a treat when the new issue of Sketchbook comes out. And of course before perusing the issue in its entirety, I have to sneak a peek to see how I did in the kukai and the haiku thread. I was very happy to see that I took 1st place in the kukai this month. “Autumn leaves” is a topic I can expound upon at length. We have a seemingly endless supply of them around these parts. A second haiku took 4th place.

The haiku thread topic was “cemetery”, and although not my favorite thing to think about, it is (sadly) another topic I can go on about at length. As a child, I remember thinking cemeteries were kind of creepy places, but now I find them peaceful, if a bit melancholy. I hope to pay my respects to my parents next week when I am in California. Three of my haiku were selected “Editor’s Choice” by John Daleiden, or “Guest Editor’s Choice” by Bernard Gieske. I found Bernard’s essay on haiku techniques (using the thread haiku as illustrations of various techniques) especially helpful, as I am still getting the hang of how to write an effective jux into my haiku. And consciously thinking about technique from time to time never hurt anyone’s haiku writing!

The kigo topic for January/ February 2012 is “old calendar”, and the thread topic is “candle(s)”. Anticipating how busy this month will be, I already sent in my entries. The new thread can be read here.

Cemetery Haiku Thread

 The Sketchbook thread for September / October is “cemetery”. As a kid, cemeteries were always kind of spooky places for me, but now, I find in them quiet peace. My haiku for the thread:

I brush aside leaves
to read their names…
cold granite
# 11.

autumn leaves— 
grave markers blanketed
in heavy fog
# 67.

graveside service
the whisper of wind
through the pines
# 69.

pioneer cemetery
soft moss clings
to the headstones
# 71.

The entire thread can be read here.

July/August Sketchbook

The July/ August Sketchbook haiku thread is filling up with haiku about bugs and insects. I just submitted my first five: #204, #206, #208, #210, and #212. The deadline for the haiku thread is August 26, so not too late to add yours…

 

Read all of them (so far) here.