Bees @ Work [Haiku]

upside-down bees
work frenetically 
in the plush depths

Cobra [Haiku]

the cobra rises:
eyes fixed & tongue darting --
all 's still; nothing 's calm

Flying Fox [Haiku]

a flying fox hangs
from a bare tree branch,
in broad daylight

Mongoose [Haiku]

a pausing mongoose 
looks at me, 
as I look at it

Plotting Crows [Haiku]

two crows stand
on a branch in parallel;
the plot is afoot

Grass Yellow Butterfly [Tanka]

the Grass-Yellow finds
a place in the dry leaves
where its green tint
is more ornamental 
than it is camouflage

Cow & Egret [Haiku]

the egret turns
as if to spurn its cow,
but it'll be back

Crabs at a Distance [Haiku]

the stony beach writhes;
but they're shells, not stones -
crab animated

DAILY PHOTO: Silver-Washed Fritillary, Kaindy Lake in Kazakhstan

Taken in Kazakhstan in the summer of 2019 near Kaindy Lake.

Copperhead [Common Meter]

I walked along a well-worn trail
with no intent but rest.
I wished to be soothed by the trees,
but found myself distressed.

For in my path rested a snake,
known as the copperhead --
 a breed that has inspired wonder
and no uncertain dread. 

I gave the snake full attention,
and then gave it wide berth,
but it must have been far too wide
for I walked right off the earth.