Category Archives: Tanka

day 211 

today’s WordPress prompt: Write about a random act of kindness you did for someone …

well, I could tell you
but then I’d have to kill you
defeats the purpose…
random acts, you see, are best
done and kept anonymous

-kat

Another day of not taking myself or anything too seriously. And enjoying a 20 degree drop in temperatures. Even a full day of rain can’t get me down. Today’s featured glimmers are the local hummingbirds. Three of them have been jousting nonstop outside the window at the feeders. I have enjoyed listening to their chirps while I work. Clearly they approve of the cooler temperatures as well. 

Regarding today’s poem, a tanka, i happened to notice today’s prompt question on WordPress. As I explained in my poem…I prefer to keep the random acts of kindness that I do anonymous. Having also been on the receiving end there is a certain magic in realizing someone thought enough about you to do something kind for you. Just thinking about it makes me smile. 

Much love, peace, and glimmers to you. May you find an opportunity to act kindly toward someone today…even if that someone is you! 

~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨


day 198

Today’s post starts with a glimmer. Every so often we like to treat ourselves and our pup Gabby to a run by a popular fast food joint. Gabby is particularly fond of the chicken bits in nugget form. She knows the routine well. She recognizes the sign out front as we approach, and when we pull up to the order kiosk and that happy voice from beyond welcomes us…she starts dancing in her seat and licking her chops. In mere moments some nice person will be handing us a bag of lovely smelling goodies. It’s the best possible outing ever. After lunch she settles down for a long afternoon nap, content and happy.

It made me wonder. What things in life make me happy? What, if I had a tail it would be wagging, feeds my soul…gives me bliss?

Honestly, I had never given it much thought before now. I love shopping in book stores, especially used and vintage books. I love everything about it down to the dust and the smell of aging pages bound in hard back. I love writing and reading and learning new things, I love figuring out the names of things in the woods where I live, be it a tree, a flower, or an insect or animal, and learning more about them. Oh…I love cheesecake! And a tall glass of tea on ice in summer, and a good cuppa hot with honey when I need warming up or calming down.

I know I should do more of these types of things…actually make time for them, not as an afterthought or merely when I can fit it into my schedule. It is not really treating oneself, but rather, self care to do the things that feed our souls. My wish for you this weekend is that you have the opportunity to spend some time doing something you love…oh and baking things… that’s another one. Thinking I should make a nice pound cake this weekend. It’s been a while!

Much love, peace and happiness glimmers to you…Gabby stopping by the fast food window on a car ride happy!

simple pleasures

it’s not luxury
to indulge in happiness
it is essential
self care, not as afterthought
but as blissful time well spent

~kat ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨


Today’s poetry form is the Tanka. Five lines, syllable count: 5/7/5/7/7 

day 167

failure to launch

a phoebe fledgling
fluttered in the rose garden
a failed first flight
her parents hovering close by
‘til she found her wings and soared

a gentle prodding
is sometimes all that we need
for a leap of faith

~kat

Yesterday, there were three phoebe chicks in the nest over my garage side door light. Year after year I’ve watched a pair of phoebes build a nest under the eave of our house. The cycle of life commences. 

The laying of the eggs, one a day over several days. When the laying is done, the mother settles in for the long haul, perched over her precious brood, day after day, rain or shine. Her devoted mate tends to her every need, feeds her, stands vigil nearby, protecting his family. After only a few weeks the moment long awaited comes and the chicks emerge from their shells. Mom and dad spend their waking hours feeding these hungry featherless babies who are all mouth. They grow quickly until it’s time to fly free in a matter of a few more weeks. 

This morning I noticed that the nest was empty. Another brood joining the flock that returns every spring to our acre. I noticed though that the parents were still near, agitated and not at all happy to see me. Then I saw it. A lone fledgling on my front porch stairs near the roses fluttered as it looked at me while the mom and pop swooped around me. I was concerned little tyke was exposed where the crows frequented, so I moved it under cover on the wicker settee. Soon after the parents came over, I suspect to encourage it to spread its wings. When I checked a few hours later the little family had moved on. 

I have seen nestlings fail to survive on occasion and knew the sound of the parents mourning. (yes even tiny phoebe parents mourn the loss of their young who don’t survive.)  But today, the sky was blue and sunlit. And it was silent but for the soft rustle of wind through the trees.  I like to think that this little family is somewhere riding the wind. At least that’s my hope. 

It reminds me that all families are precious…every single family. Every single soul. It reminds me that life offers us opportunities every day to recognize this fact, to be kind, and sometimes we are honored to help too. It costs nothing to lend a hand…to show kindness. May we seek those opportunities and rise to the occasion when presented with them. 

much love, peace, and glimmers to you! 

~kat

✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨


A Tanka / Haiku Combo. 🙂


day 160

a perfect late spring sunset

cool mist settles at
dusk, the amber sun sinks low,
sweetness fills the air
as a phoebe feeds nestlings
and a doe strolls, fawn in tow

~kat

Sometimes days are just perfect. Today was one of those days. Got some positive news at work, and happened upon several new little families. The woods were bursting with life events while we were away. A phoebe family hatched their brood, and several deer had young. I saw several doe with young while driving to the store. A set of twin fawns, and two singletons with their doting mamas. This evening I was visited by one of the does that frequents my feeders. She watched me from the brush for several minutes before deciding I was safe. I was trusted to meet her fawn. And this time I did happen to have my phone on me and caught my visitors in photos. I hope this post finds you well. Enjoy the glimmers below. I’m such a sucker for a babies of any species!

Much love, peace, and glimmers to you!

~kat

✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨


day 134

late afternoon after the rain ~kat
multiple musings

shadows stretch softly
through the trees heavy with leaves
many shades of green

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

when the sun returns
after days of drenching rain
we forget the grey

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I whispered a wish
to the emptiness of night
that stars might hear me
tossed coins into still fountains
hoping for more than ripples

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

you might have noticed
something is amiss these days
check in with your heart

~kat

A few haiku and a tanka…streams of subconsciousness…a meandering sort of day. A little work, a little play. And the sun has finally made an appearance after days of heavy rain. The ground is damp…well, moist if you must know. And all seems peaceful and right in my little patch of green.

I had a conversation with a squirrel today. He very much likes the table I set for him. I didn’t mention that the feeders he’s feasting from are for the birds! I just smile and nod and tell him how happy I am he likes sunflower seeds.

Note to Self: I must tuck this feeling away for a rainy day…or the end of democracy…I am sure I’ll need this glimmer in my back pocket to get me through whatever comes next.

Much love, peace and glimmers to you.

~kat

And before I close, a snapshot of my little friend who agreed to pose for me. ✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨

Mr. Squirrel, resident of Bramlett Mountain. ~kat