Happy Poetry Friday! I haven't participated all that much this year, but I'm on break from school, so I thought I'd jump in today. (Actually, I just checked, and I've posted 28 Poetry Friday posts in 2022, so just over half the Fridays. Not too bad!)
This has been a different year, and so it's fitting that it's been a different Advent. This is our first Advent completely out of Haiti since 2000, our first Christmas season without either of our kids being with us, our first December in Uganda (so...much...rain!). A friend who was traveling for our school break brought over her tree and some other Christmas decorations on her way to the airport, so we have some festive cheer in our apartment. We made a list of adventures to experience in Kampala and nearby, and we've been checking them off every day. It's been very fun, but also a little melancholy.
Last weekend, we had the opportunity to go with some new friends to an incredible house right on the bank of the Nile River. My husband rode his bike there (101 kilometers, 62 miles), I birded constantly and took pictures of a vervet monkey on our balcony, and we all went out on Saturday night to watch Croatia play Morocco while we ate dinner. I decided to share three of my photos from the weekend today, along with some haiku.
Find some privacy
away from fish and herons,
bathe here in peace.
©Ruth Bowen Hersey
Shadow, reflection,
suggestions of leaves above,
peace before the splash.
©Ruth Bowen Hersey
An upturned blossom,
fragrant in yellow and white,
floats in morning peace
©Ruth Bowen Hersey
The incomparable Irene has the roundup today, as well as a feast of other delights!
8 comments:
I looked up December 23rd because it seemed like the day should have a name more special than Christmas Eve Eve, and I found "Night of the Radishes" (a Mexican holiday). Happy Day of the Night of the Radishes, Ruth! I'm glad that you have "peace" in all your poems. "Suggestion of leaves" is beautiful, as are the photos. (You didn't watch the Croatia/Morocco game? Not a football watcher? I missed having my son in the house during the World Cup because he and I are the ones with endless interest.)
Oh Ruth, I am in love with that upturned blossom and its message of peace! Thank you. And wow, a lot of changes for you--I love hearing about your new adventures. Maybe your bird book could be organized by these various geographies you've been able to experience? I'd love to read a section of "Nile" bird poems! Happy holidays to you and your new friends in Uganda! xo
Well, I was with everyone else as we ate dinner and watched the game, but I have to say I wasn't paying too much attention to it. Happy Day of the Night of the Radishes to you, too!
Thanks, Irene! And thanks for hosting!
I love the way your photos progressively zoom in on the flower and on peace. May you find peace in your new country, your new work, and your new friends.
Lovely pics and haikus, I like peace coming into each too! The first image is enchanting, and your close-up third draws us in, thanks Ruth, for sharing all these firsts!
Oooh, I want to float in morning peace! These are so lovely, Ruth. Indeed a different kind of Advent. I'm sorry for the melancholy (but know I'd be the same way) and hope that 2023 brings you gifts of joy.
Morning peace-lovely! Ruth, I miss reading your posts so I have to get back on track. Happy New Year! Carol V
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