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Person sitting alone on Blue moon night: Photo by K.U

Earth and Sky Begin To Cool: Haiku Sequence

I wrote this sequence of haiku for Naturalist Weekly as a continuation of what
it must feel like after the Obon ‘season’ ends. The Blue Moon at the end of August
would be the first moon after ‘the season’. Earth and sky begin to cool, and I
figure the shifting weather does something to those who just let go of their dear
beloveds.
The featured image was sent to me by my son–he photographed the moon; I saw
the white-haired woman sitting alone on that park bench. I hope you like what I
wrote (based on how the puzzle fit for me). [I love the new season we’re entering.]

Mark's Haiku Invitation

This week’s haiku invitation is to write a haiku or senryu
that references the shifting weather and the arrival of autumn.

Share your haiku in the comments below,
or post on your own page and link back to this post.
I can’t wait to read what you write! 

Off prompt, but perhaps not… you decide.

oh, how seasons change
alone at our park bench
the moon a constant
ten and two hundred*
crickets near the river bank
I feel your presence
drafty blue moon night
she flares up not just for me
our bench is still warm
you traveled alone
the riverbank of heaven
the moon spares no shade
after many moons
your absence pricks like bramble
sad night without you

© selma ❤️❤️❤️ 

ten and two hundred*:

I took liberties in the way I wrote this here, but
it’s a take from 210 (days) translated as nihyaku-toka
in Japanese. Read more about this reference, explained
with a lovely legend, at the Naturalist Weekly’s link above, please.


Thanks for reading, and I hope you are looking forward to the shift that
Mother Earth deserves for putting up with consecutive days of heat (again).
Mother needs a rest.

She did give us a good show, though… Another photo:

Earth and Sky Show
Earth and Sky Show: Photo by SU
Selma Martin
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This Post Has 30 Comments

  1. rajkkhoja

    Wonderful you sharing Earth and Sky Begin To Cool title haiku. Love of Moon written all haiku. Amazing words written in.
    “after many moons
    your absence pricks like bramble
    sad night without”!
    Thanks Selma!

    1. Selma Martin

      I’m thrilled you liked my words, dear Raj. Thank you.

  2. Kajal

    Beautiful compositions, Selma.

  3. Sadje

    A beautiful and poignant set of haiku

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks for reading and commenting, dearest Sadje. Blessings.

      1. Sadje

        It’s a pleasure my friend

    1. Selma Martin

      Well, high praise 😉 .
      Thank you 🙇🏽‍♀️

  4. beth

    you and your son are both so talented, and you’ve knit this all together so beautifully, selma

    1. Selma Martin

      Aww. Thanks for appreciating my efforts, Beth. XoXo

    1. Selma Martin

      They are sad. But it’s life: it goes on. So happy you enjoyed them anyway. Thanks, Maria. XoXo

  5. Mark S

    Hi Selma, What a collection for this week! I am enjoying the one about nihyaku-toka. Really good!

    1. Selma Martin

      I appreciate you saying, Mark. Thanks for the lovely lesson too. Intriguing. Xo

    1. Selma Martin

      I appreciate you reading and saying. How wonderful you are. Thanks Matthew. Xoxo

  6. Baydreamer - Lauren Scott

    Lovely set of haiku, Selma, and your son’s photo is gorgeous. I love autumn too, but now we have fire season that we ‘fall’ into also. But today is our daughter’s birthday and she’s here from TN, so it’s a great start to Sept. xoxo

    1. Selma Martin

      What lovely news about your gorgeous daughter. (I saw a pic on IG) I love it. Blessings on Your (yours and hers) special day. And many more to come.
      So glad you like the haiku sequence. I appreciate you reading. Xoxo you are the best.

  7. memadtwo

    I like these little glimpses of life. (K)

  8. lynn__

    Beautifully written, Selma! I drove to a cemetery alone to watch the blue moon rise (does that sound weird?!)

    1. Selma Martin

      I respect your reasons for choosing to see the moon rise there. And will not pry or label it weird.
      I want to imagine the cemetery is on a hill and you wanted to get a glimpse of Moon as soon as possible. That is such I beautiful image, Lynn. Moon makes us go out of our way sometimes. Happy you did.
      Thanks for reading and liking this sequence I’m happy to share.
      Happy September, Lynn. XoXo

  9. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

    Two striking photos and a poignantly beautiful series of poems, Selma! My husband has been dead for over twenty years, but I still feel the sadness in these words. Beautifully written! <3 <3 <3

    I am glad you are getting some cooler weather. <3 It's been a brutally hot summer.

    1. Selma Martin

      Oh, I’m sure that happens. So happy to hear you found the haiku series to your liking.

      We are having rain today–we prayed for it but it only came as a typhoon. Anyway, the ground got a good watering and the trees a good shaking up. I wonder where the birds go at times like these.

      Stay sweet my friend. Blessings.

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