After several weeks of rain, the solstice has brought with it high temperatures and bright sunshine – accompanied by nettles and bindweed. The nettles are now taller than me and, as much as I like the bindweed’s white, trumpet-shaped flowers, known to children in the UK as ‘Granny-pops-out-of-the-bed’, their tendrils are winding themselves around everything. It’s too hot for gardening, so I’ll let the nettles and bindweed take over for a while, just to watch butterflies among them, and Luna stalking them like a jungle.
solstice afterglow
stretches slowly in the sky
a lazy feline
Kim M. Russell, 22nd June 2026
Frank is our host at the dVerse Poets Pub for this month’s Haibun Monday, and we are writing about the first solstice of 2026.
Frank says that it is a ‘real Gemini of a day, depending on your locale: the Solstice is the longest day/shortest night of the year, or vice versa. It marks the official commencement of either Summer or Winter’ and is ‘enough inspiration for any poet’. He’s given us some examples for inspiration.
writing in north norfolk 
I can understand that you don’t bother about them if it is so hot… I would expect the cat seeking as much shadow as is available.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nicely done, Kim. I love your kitty cat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dwight!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are most welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve paid the price for my sun exposure as a truck driver, so I definitely favor the shade, these days. And I shake my head when I think of all the sunlight I sought in recreation, even well past my youth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very fair and burn easily, so I don’t spend too much time outdoors and I’ve never sunbathed.
LikeLike
I like the photo of Luna on safari!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lynn. She’s hiding out there in the shade this morning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your clear and insightful images of your garden – hopefully there will be many butterflies – Jae
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jae. I love butterflies – but so does Luna!
LikeLike
well done, and the heat definitely brings on the laziness in me (not too hard to do) I think I was either a cat loiunging around in my past life or I am grooming myself to beone in the next…ha!! You captured the essence of the day perfectly! 🐈🩵🐈
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cara! We are currently experiencing a heat wave in the UK, not quite as bad as France at the moment, but unusual. Luckily, I live near water and have a lush garden with plenty of shade. I want to return as a cat too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Luna is certainly wise to stay in the shade as the birds have the same idea. Wonderful write Kim!
Hank
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers Hank!
LikeLike