OSI - Prompt 52: Twilight

Light lingers here

like a lover,

reluctant to leave the Beloved

Meanwhile

these waters - ever jealous

look on, recording

every nuance of their

tender encounter

OSI Prompt #51 - Spectral

(Photo by Michael Gallagher for Missoulian)

This last week, a wake was held for Agnes 'Oshanee' Kenmille.  She was ninety-three years old when she passed, and one of the best known and most beloved elders of the Flathead Reservation, where I am blessed to call home.  Oshanee was nationally renowned for her hide tanning and beadwork.  But beyond her mastery of the traditional craft she practiced and taught, she was known and loved for her remarkable spirit. I am not a Tribal member, but every time I saw her, I was deeply aware of what a treasure she was, and thought to myself that this beautiful woman knows something about living that we all need to know - about finding meaning and purpose in life, about enduring, loving, and about finding joy in what one has in the present.   I only saw her a few times a year, but she left an indelible impression on my heart.

  

Thank you for the prompt.  I offer this in memory of Oshanee .....

Crescent moon eyes

look up, twinkling

round shoulders shake

with laughter's echo

So many years, showing

the way, with nimble hands and heart

softening hides, velvety white

then gloves, vests, moccasins

Ninety-three years walking

this earth, again and again

the joy of now

Incalculable

the loss, a perfect Oshanee

shaped hole in their hearts

Yet time will endow

star-studded skies and aching

hearts with twinkling eyes

and crescent moons

OSI: Movement

Having trouble sleeping tonight.  Full moon!  Why fight it?.......

You may have to click on the image in order to read it.

OSI Prompt #46 - Summer's Day

Late start this week! I confess that the prompt did not compute at first -- with lots of old snow and ice in the yard, 'a summer's day' seemed out of reach. But then........ I remembered all that sleeps under the ground. I felt how tired I am, and how much I need to rest. So I took a nap today, and what was on my mind when I awoke was the yin / yang symbol. This was what came out of the prompt and reflections. (You may need to click on the image to be able to read it.)

Prompt 45: Skin

It has been a year and a half since my mother passed on. I have many precious memories of the time spent with her after she moved here to be closer to family. Among my favorites are the ways my granddaughters spent time with her.

aged hands, once slender

and graceful..... lemon lotion,

tiny hands, big smiles!

Then there are the memories of first contacts with your own grandchildren:

rose petal sweetness

lips to cheek, grand baby in my

arms - time, stand still!

And the daily contact that sweetens the day......

sweet breath on my cheek

lapping like waves on the shore

of the dawning day

Prompt 44: Stardust

This is my first entry in response to a 'OneSingleImpression' prompt. (In fact, it's been a very long time since I posted here at all!) The 'Stardust' prompt immediately recalled my daughter's story about her five-year-old daughter, Gaia, who awoke one morning still half in her dream, stardust in her mouth. These are the words she spoke. (Click on the image to see it & her words at a higher resolution.)

Here is the link if you would like to explore the haiku prompt site: OneSingleImpression.

One Deep Breath - Childhood Story

This weeks prompt brought back a favorite memory, story, and family (silent) movie....

Turning Round

Empty tire, perfect hole
curled inside, little brother
grin-lit face shining!

my father's camera,
rolling reel, on silent film
delight recording

my face too, lit by
a grin, my brother inside
the tire I'm rolling

up and down, around
he goes, his eyes crescent moons
his song is laughing

now upside down, his
face a frown? fingers pinched
grimace accusing!

camera records the
silent 'ow!' - my smile melts too,
now tears and hugging

forgive and forget
then begin again, his turn
to set me rolling!

love is for living
play for enjoying, hurts come
and we learn forgiving