The Lily [Haiku]

a single lily 
stands out in a pond of pads:
bright to browned.

Asunder [Haiku]

sprawling tree, 
laid asunder by its own weight:
a crack plus time

“There’s a certain Slant of light” (320) by Emily Dickinson [w/ Audio]

There's a certain slant of light,
Winter Afternoons --
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes --

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us --
We can find no scar,
But internal difference --
Where the Meanings, are --

Non may teach it -- Any --
'Tis the seal Despair --
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air --

When it comes, the Landscape listens --
Shadows -- hold their breath --
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death --

PROMPT: Athletes

Daily writing prompt
Name the professional athletes you respect the most and why.

I generally leave admiration for professional athletes to others, as I feel — like other entertainment celebrities — they get an unhealthy level of adoration as it is.

That said, I have been impressed by grappler Mikey Musumeci for the intensity of his training regime and for finding his own way.

Longanimity [Haiku]

one last leaf,
its longanimity great,
falls -- unseen.

DAILY PHOTO: A Few Views of Stone Mountain Lake

One Fish [Haiku]

solitary fish
darts about at lake's edge:
taunting fates & fishers.

“Tortuous” [Poetry Style #17 (委曲)] by Sikong Tu [w/ Audio]

Climbing Taihang Mountain,
On the green winding way.
The jade-lined trail in fog,
Floral scents from the gray.
Stuck in unflowing time,
'Til a song sung bright and gay...
I'm steered back to my past
With the grace of ghosts at play.
Skirting roiling waters,
A Roc soars after prey.
The Tao is unbounded --
Round or square as it may.

NOTE: The late Tang Dynasty poet, Sikong Tu (a.k.a. Ssŭ-k‘ung T‘u,) wrote an ars poetica entitled Twenty-Four Styles of Poetry. It presents twenty-four poems that are each in a different tone, reflecting varied concepts from Taoist philosophy and aesthetics. Above is a crude translation of the seventeenth of the twenty-four poems. This poem’s Chinese title is 委曲, and has been translated as: “Grievance” and “In Tortuous Ways.”

PROMPT: Relax

Daily writing prompt
How do you relax?

I usually don’t find it too difficult. I find reading and free writing conducive to relaxation. In cases in which I’m wound up, I move and / or exercise intensely. If I ever need to achieve relaxation expeditiously, I use Visama Vritti Pranayama or PMR (progressive muscle relaxation.)

DAILY PHOTO: The Big Buddha of Pai