sun scorches catkins an extraordinary bronze jauntily gleaming Kim M. Russell, 17th March 2019 My response to Carpe Diem’s Light Retreat 2019: The Joy of Light In a new retreat, we have a period of 30 days to create haiku and tanka on the theme of The Joy Of Light.
Shimmering Dew
emerald sparkles reflected in morning dew leaves, grass and shamrock Kim M. Russell, 17th March 2019 My response to Carpe Diem Time Glass 2019-02 shimmering dew This weekend we have a new CD Time Glass episode, in which we respond to a haiku, a tanka, a waka, an image or just a word with a […]
Nature’s Sacrifice
in nooks and corners cold remains: flowers of the plum © Yosa Buson (tr. RH Blyth) waiting to open petals […]
Homo(graph) Erectus
On the harbour wall I notice an appealing notice, a poster advertising trips to see the seals. I seal my lips and harbour memories of selkies, magical creatures with tails instead of legs. I imagine colonies of mermen bobbing in the waves, inviting me to join them as they follow in the wake. But then I […]
The Joy of Light 1
green luminescence incipiency of buds dancing on the breeze Kim M. Russell, 16th March 2019 My response to Carpe Diem’s Light Retreat 2019: The Joy of Light What a delight! I’ve returned from a hiatus, during which I visited my daughter and grandson, and spent a weekend in London, have managed to catch up with […]
Early Spring Landscape
We walk into a landscape where flowers light up verges, they peep between the hedge gaps, adorn churchyards and copses. Where flowers light up verges, the earth is not just greenscape, throughout churchyards and copses a spring colourwash escapes. The earth is not just greenscape, it glows with yellow urges; the spring colourwash escapes and […]
The Point of a Wizard’s Hat
It’s filled with language, thoughts and magic that escape like clouds to the atmosphere. The full moon shudders, she knows how tragic it is for wizards to live in fear. In fear of what, I hear you ask, with power at their fingertips? Fear of fickle fingers pointing, bramble sharp tongues and lies on gossips’ […]
Do butterflies get drunk
on fermenting sap and pollen, like wasps and bees? And are there epic stories imprinted on wings that flicker as they fly, quirky cartoons like the ones we drew in the corners of our exercise books? I’ll have to wait until drowsy summer days, when I’ll hide in the long grass behind the willow and […]
My Grandparents’ Neighbours
They lived in an urban terrace, side by side, with a stamp-sized front garden and somewhat larger one at the back, complete with washing line from fence to fence, a coal bunker and a tool shed. It took years to grow their individuality with roses. sweet-scented stock and peonies. They called each other by their […]
Kölsch (revisited)
Kölle Alaaf! I miss the echo in the streets, the crowds on Rudolfplatz and Neumarkt, the oompa pa of familiar Fastelovend songs and cries of ‘Kamelle!’ as sweets hailed down. You helped me dress up as a clown. I drank cold Kölsch, ate salty Pommes mit Mayonnais’. You taught me the words to ‘Mer losse […]
writing in north norfolk 