Death of a Stout Tree [Common Meter]

Oh, those high waters are rising;
They've spilled their banks in flood,
Slouching toward the Tree of Life:
Its roots immersed in mud.

That tree is just so stout & straight --
Unambitious of height --
Not man nor beast could knock it down,
Regardless of their might.

But just a long soak of its roots --
A gift of too much good --
And then a well-timed gust of wind
Will turn that tree to wood.

Dead Wood [Haiku]

tree becomes log,
 which becomes fungi food:
   treeness transformed. 

Wood Strong [Haiku]

rickety bridge.
i focus on the green,
as planks creak.

DAILY PHOTO: Nepali Mandir

Taken October 24, 2015 in Varanasi

Taken October 24, 2015 in Varanasi

IMG_3969 IMG_3974

IMG_3964

The Nepali Temple (Nepali Mandir) is located near the Lalita Ghat, between the main ghat (Dashaswamedh Ghat) and the big burning ghat (Manikarnika Ghat.) It’s construction is red brick with black wood, and the wood carvings are ornate. This 19th century temple is dedicated to Shiva, and–like the sandstone temples at Khajuraho–feature eroticism as one of its subjects.

DAILY PHOTO: Finnish Totem

Taken in the Summer of 2011 in Helsinki

Taken in the Summer of 2011 in Helsinki