Such a great poem! Thanks for sharing that here. It's been a long tome since I've read I Have a Rendezvous with Death, and I had forgotten how magnificently Seeger pulls everything together for that last three lines!
From what I've read, Regulus is located within the Leo constellation where his heart would be. I've been seeing that binary star for years in the western skies. It was very bright. When I asked my astronomer friends to verify, they said it was more likely Venus. Yeah, Venus is often in the same area, but it's a planet and MOVES. This remains in place night after night. So....... This summer, it's been hard to see. After my nephew died, I noticed it was gone completely. Could it have actually been Betelguese, which is supposed to go nova any minute now? IDK.That was predicted to become so bright with the flash of destruction that it could be seen during the day. Nope, Regulus or whatever is gone. And so is Greg.
It needs work, but it goes with your post. Over here, in the northeast, it feels like Fall and it rains almost every day. So, I guess I'm thinking about endings, too--the change of seasons and something ... bigger.
That was a beautiful haiku, it really captured that melancholy feeling at the end of summer.
I love the idea of poetry being made for endings, change and transitions and for all the complicated emotions and feeling tones that come during these times.
This was my first attempt at writing a haiku, or more like my first attempt at writing a poem with 17 syllables. I was on my first solo retreat, staying in a little cottage beside a forest and was taken by surprise at how difficult it was.
Thank you! Your haiku is wonderful. As someone with an anxiety disorder, I know that flutter of a freak out well, and how grounding something like a stone in your shoe can be. Thanks for sharing your haiku!
Love the artwork today! The word ‘rendezvous’ and poetry for endings made me think about this great:
‘I Have a Rendezvous with Death’ by Alan Seeger
I have a rendezvous with Death
At some disputed barricade,
When Spring comes back with rustling shade
And apple-blossoms fill the air—
I have a rendezvous with Death
When Spring brings back blue days and fair.
It may be he shall take my hand
And lead me into his dark land
And close my eyes and quench my breath—
It may be I shall pass him still.
I have a rendezvous with Death
On some scarred slope of battered hill,
When Spring comes round again this year
And the first meadow-flowers appear.
God knows 'twere better to be deep
Pillowed in silk and scented down,
Where Love throbs out in blissful sleep,
Pulse nigh to pulse, and breath to breath,
Where hushed awakenings are dear ...
But I've a rendezvous with Death
At midnight in some flaming town,
When Spring trips north again this year,
And I to my pledged word am true,
I shall not fail that rendezvous.
Such a great poem! Thanks for sharing that here. It's been a long tome since I've read I Have a Rendezvous with Death, and I had forgotten how magnificently Seeger pulls everything together for that last three lines!
Sunsets on a screen
Hawaii is on fire
Quarterly profits
I love this ripped from the headlines haiku! Well done!
Thanks! Glad I stumbled onto this weirdopoetry sub stack, it’s a great concept.
I'm thrilled to have you here!
a bit of Hokusai going on
purpled oranged
starred
Perfect! I admit there is always a bit of Hokusai going on whenever I draw the ocean. I really cannot help myself.
OMG, Jason, your prompt this morning pulled out two recent events that suddenly clicked together. I'll get back to you on this. Holy merde!
I can't wait to read what you come up with!
running out of coffee,
running out of time
running out of ways to say goodbye
This is great! Yes that is a great description for how life feels sometimes. Always running out
running out…. . .. yet trying to not feel depleted in the process
Here is it, Jason.
Alas, the Heart of Leo
Regulus shone bright
Until Greg spoke his last word
Then both disappeared.
That's tremendous! I love the astronomical (and possibly astrological?) reference.
From what I've read, Regulus is located within the Leo constellation where his heart would be. I've been seeing that binary star for years in the western skies. It was very bright. When I asked my astronomer friends to verify, they said it was more likely Venus. Yeah, Venus is often in the same area, but it's a planet and MOVES. This remains in place night after night. So....... This summer, it's been hard to see. After my nephew died, I noticed it was gone completely. Could it have actually been Betelguese, which is supposed to go nova any minute now? IDK.That was predicted to become so bright with the flash of destruction that it could be seen during the day. Nope, Regulus or whatever is gone. And so is Greg.
Funny--I wrote this on one of my walks this week:
days growing shorter
turtles sunning on a log
slip into the pond
It needs work, but it goes with your post. Over here, in the northeast, it feels like Fall and it rains almost every day. So, I guess I'm thinking about endings, too--the change of seasons and something ... bigger.
Walking haiku are the best! Your poem definitely gives the feeling of summer slipping into fall.
That was a beautiful haiku, it really captured that melancholy feeling at the end of summer.
I love the idea of poetry being made for endings, change and transitions and for all the complicated emotions and feeling tones that come during these times.
This was my first attempt at writing a haiku, or more like my first attempt at writing a poem with 17 syllables. I was on my first solo retreat, staying in a little cottage beside a forest and was taken by surprise at how difficult it was.
Feeling the flutter
of a freak out. Stone in my
shoe, keeping me sane.
Thank you! Your haiku is wonderful. As someone with an anxiety disorder, I know that flutter of a freak out well, and how grounding something like a stone in your shoe can be. Thanks for sharing your haiku!
Breath held tight through summer's
heat - and is that smoke? Now autumn
whispers, smell the rain.
Great, and sad summary of what the end of summer has become in so many places
For the end of a busy day:
shadows with long legs
we're walking in vesper light
all our rushing done
I love this poem! Vespers is such a great word!