JJJ Interactive Books

Chickory

Flourishing roadside Transplant in foreign country Blue joy running wild Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge (FOTD)

A lovely surprise to find this little guy. I almost deleted the photo, as I thought it was one of the many white-breasted nuthatch photos I had taken earlier that day. Luckily, I met a couple of real birders who told me to keep an eye out for the pigmy nuthatch. I took a closerContinue reading “Pigmy Nuthatch”

A Chōka: Dead End?

From new beginnings We flow on the path of change Work and family Promotions, marriage, children But in the endings Great transformation is found Death of a loved one A path’s literal dead end Painful suffering Meaningless and meaningful Brings about new beginnings #Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge, Specific Theme, 10/8/2024 hosted by Sadje. “Write a syllabic poemContinue reading “A Chōka: Dead End?”

Casting Shadows

I sense your uncertainty Threatening am I? My shadows cast at your feet Warning not to enter Perhaps a change of perspective is needed For my branches offer shelter from the true horrors of the world and wisdom lurks in the silence Yes, take a step… Follow the path I have created See how beams of light shine upon hidden doorsEach there for you toContinue reading “Casting Shadows”

Naughty Maps

Uncle Charlie was a navigator, but the maps locked in his office weren’t just charts to his next destination. The Caribbean was his backyard. He knew every island by name and coordinate. When my uncle died, my cousins and I entered the secret world of his office. My cousins sorted through trinkets and treasures whileContinue reading “Naughty Maps”

Wanderlust

A hot winding road through dry desert mountains Bighorn sheep look down from rocky ledges A river rushes somewhere belowThe ancient creator of this miraculous canyon In the distance I hear The rhythm of gentle waves lapping the shore Perhaps they are this way… The smell of petrichor I breathe in the cool, damp airTheContinue reading “Wanderlust”

Anticipating the Unexplored

Awake in bed Too early No sign of daylight through shuttered blinds Doze off and on Dark, still… Toss and turn One eye reluctantly opens for just a peek Light, finally! Blankets hurled I leap out of bed Blinds thrown I’m greeted by the rising sun Blooming over tall mountains Just waiting to be explored W3 PromptContinue reading “Anticipating the Unexplored”

Anniversary

Distant traveling He is a caged animal Out of comfort zone Tension and resentment grow Disappointment surfaces A long planned celebratory vacation comes to fruition Beautiful places Experienced together Tension vanishes In thrill of exploration Shared memories gifted us TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge: Tanka Puenta hosted by Robbie.

Western Meadowlark

Flashes of yellow Darting the periphery Come into focus I. J.’s Birds of the Week Invitation LXXXIV Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Peripheral by Gerry C. and Sue W.

In-Between Space

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And I was determined to travel both. So I weaved between the two, Exploring this one and that. The distance between the roads grew, And I found myself absorbed in the in-between space, No longer concerned with traversing the paths, And that has made all the difference. W3Continue reading “In-Between Space”