Northern Harrier

I footed it up a steep mountain
Towarding the rocky cliffs
The bird highered and lowered
In and out of view
Soaring in its quest for prey
I camera-shot from above and below
All photos eighty-sixed
But one

W3 Prompt #131: Wea’ve Written Weekly poet of the week, Melissa, prompts us to choose five words from her list and use them as verbs. I chose foot, toward, high, camera and six.

I. J.’s Birds of the Week Invitation LXXXVIII

Northern Harrier photo was taken during fall migration at Salt Lake, Utah.

An Eerie Hike

A hike through the Belly of the Dragon
Promises an eerie experience
The hiking partner takes it up a notch
Speaking of earthquakes and falling rock 
Bright sunshine awaits the other side
Beautiful cliff faces turn ominous
As hiking partner seeks out mountain lions

dVerse Quadrille hosted by Lillian

Terri’s Sunday Stills: The #Eerie

Weekly Prompts Wednesday Challenge – Eerie by Gerry C & Sue W

Fun Surprise

He’s told we’re going to the pumpkin patch 
Fun for little sister 
Amusement park unexpected

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Pumpkin, hosted by Punam

Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt #387 – Unexpected

My brother and his kids are visiting from abroad. The teenage siblings have been extremely cooperative with activities designed to appease the four year old. We have been talking of hay rides and farm animals at the pumpkin patch, but today the oldest will be surprised by a trip to the amusement park.

Insects and Arthropod

Just a few Macros for Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: #BLACK and/or BLACK & WHITE.

Sheep Moth
Painted Lady
Tucson Bronze Tarantula
Ebony Jewelwing

A Sijo: Sit Awhile

Renaissance woman who dares to speak 
Harshly at the castle wall 
The king cares not for your suffering 
Off you go to the town square 
The jailer awaits your arrival 
You may sit awhile

TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge: Word Garden, 10/22/24 hosted by Lisa

Pull up a Seat Challenge – Week 42

Grand Canyon

Canyon of wonder
Grand is an understatement 
A held breath released
My soul soars in your vastness
Unable to comprehend

A Haibun: Chukar Partridge

A steep hike up a rocky cliff for a better view of the Great Salt Lake. Strange bird sounds heard in the distance. Where are they coming from? We climb rock after rock seeing nothing, until we are startled by a covey of Chukar rising from the underbrush.

Chukar Partridges
well hidden in the sagebrush
make an appearance

I. J.’s Birds of the Week Invitation LXXXVI

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Chukar/sounds

To an Old Friend

We needed not correspond every day 
Often weeks or months having slipped us by
Distance and routines would get in the way
Yet the bond felt strong between you and I

When times were tough and our hopes were shattered
Listening ears or shoulders to cry on
In those rare moments we knew what mattered
A true friend in which we could rely on

Celebratory milestones we had shared
Bantered among our families and friends
A supportive network of those who cared
But situations change and friendships end  

I often wonder what became of you
Perhaps there are times you think of me too

W3 Prompt #129: Wea’ve Written Weekly poet of the week Carol Anne prompts us to write a sonnet on the theme of friendship.

Image generated by Microsoft Copilot

Daydreaming

Silly daydreaming
Distracts from the tedious
A smile on the face
Dimpled cheeks blushed with color
All while cleaning the toilet

Tanka Tuesday Poetry Challenge hosted by Selma. I have chosen daydreaming and tedious as my synonyms for mindless and humdrum.

Eugi’s Moonwashed Weekly Prompt – Blushed

Image generated with Microsoft

Like a Rock

I am like a rock
Shaped by time and circumstance
Solid foundation 
Until the sands shift below
And I turn a rolling stone