©Clr`17
ruffled feathers
seagulls on the shore
the wind blows
&
morning light
spilling pinks and purples
dancing in the sky
hums from smiling faces
devotees pray at dawn
©Tournesol`17/06/16
humble beginnings
Month: June 2017
Father`s Day, this June 18, 2017
He crawled on his hands and knees and made me laugh; he tickled me until my tummy muscles hurt; he took me on car rides in wooded areas…just he, me and
©clr`17 GrandPapa
my sister. He played the mean old man just for fun so he could quickly turn into my saviour and took me in his arms to rescue me. He was my saint and still is my saint to whom I pray when I feel frightened and vulnerable…Merci, Grand-Papa! You also passed Father’s Day weekend, giving me, every year, time to truly thank you for being in my life.
He pushed me and encouraged me and instilled determination and hard work. He believed in me and knew I was smart and could do better. He wanted more than me sometimes and yet, he made me see my potential. He was fond of me and even named his daughter after me. Thank you Mr. Lagacé, for being a teacher who saw more in me than I could fathom…I succeeded despite many obstacles…I DID it and you planted the seed.
He looks upon me with pride; the love he feels is overwhelming. He’s gentle; he’s funny and makes me feel so special. I even feel a bit possessive with he has girlfriends and wonder if I will lose my place…he protected me from wolves and walked me down the aisle as my “dad” at my wedding. He will always be a Dad to me. Bonne Fête des Pères, Bernie.
How I loved my Fridays after school! I’d go with Jane and have supper with her family. If I was late or did not go, he would say,”Where is Lynn? It’s Friday!” He taught me to be proud of my slender (lanky to me silhouette); He convinced me to stop nail-biting so I could one day show off my engagement ring on my finger. (That actually worked at the young age of 13!) He counted me as one of his daughters…for a night or two or three sometimes…Thank you, Mr. Wilkins for making me feel special.
©Clr;17 Mom & Fred
He took me for my first drink after winning a college scholarship at 17 years old. He stood by Mom when I walked down the aisle, with pride. He paced the floors for hours when I was in labour…he was always there…Thank you Fred for making Mom feel so loved and for being a Dad to me. You left us June 18th and making this year even more memorable, on Father’s Day. I love you and still miss you, Fred.
©Clr`17 Uncle Fred and Ma Tante Mae
It took me 45 years to feel that specialness a “Dad” can bestow on an older daughter. Remember those teenage years and young adulthood when you were in love? Remember when your father wanted to “check him out” to make sure your heart would not be broken. Well, I was a late bloomer! I remember when I lived with my aunt and uncle and sometimes I would hang up the phone and say, “Oh, gee I have a date. What am I going to wear?” He would smile and sit on the couch with his lovely mate (Ma Tante Mae) who was as excited as me. The fashion show would commence and he’d look, smile and sometimes raise an eyebrow. The raised eyebrow was probably a more sexy outfit 😉 He would tell me discreetly, “Be careful not to fall head over heels too quickly and get hurt.” To which I would say, “I may need your shoulder to cry on if that happens.” And I did and he was there. Thank you Uncle Fred for being such a cool and understanding dad!
And Dad, no matter how distant our relations were over the years, I still remember how special I felt if you would “Wink” or say, “How’s it going, Kiddo?” and my heart would melt. I know you were always proud of us and in those last few years you mellowed and you let me see a softer side of you. I love you, Dad!
Happy Father’s Day to fathers world wide and for those special men who really make a difference with their selfless love.
©Cheryl-Lynn ’17
midnight concert (haiku)
gold speckles
on a twilight backdrop
sets the stage
giggles and squeals
invade the night air
skinny dippers splash
midnight sonata
the cicadas lends its shrill
drone of the bullfrog
(c)Tournesol’17
Written for Heeding Haiku with Chèvrefeuille at MindLoveMiserysmenagerie
nature in progress (troibun) Daily Moments June 14, 2017
Humans are such creatures of habit. Well, at least in this part of the country. Weather is the most talked about topic…”It is too cold; it is too humid; Ow, my aching joints!.” As soon as November wraps us with a veil of dark bareness before the snow, we say, I hate winter that is coming. Depression has already set in for more of our Northern Canadians since October. The days are shorter and darkness haunts us. Soon people start chanting, “I can’t wait until it snows. At least it will be brighter.” And before December arrives, we often see snow. Everyone is more or less pleased especially the children and winter enthusiasts.
She has prepared her wardrobe accordingly so the long cold months will, at least, be filled with change and style. Four or five winter coats of different levels of warmth. A few extra pairs of boots add to the list and of course, cleats…a few extra pairs and always one pair in her backpack if the sidewalks are treacherous when she finishes her late night shift.
Then snow overstays its welcome in January and then February and March storms. Spring is around the corner, they say, but we all know that spring arrives when nature decides. That can be the end of March, mid-april or early May for those more North and East of here. All those months waiting for warmer temperatures.
Well, it has been quite warm this past week. On the weekend and yesterday temperatures went up to 32C with high humidity. Oh, she should know. She finally installed her A/C and has emptied 4 litres of water 4 times in 12 hours! Yes, indeed, the humidity is set in the house, the furniture, the clothes. People who struggle with allergies as she does, find it difficult to breathe and headaches and migraines attack the most vulnerable.
It is June 13th and still not quite summer yet another two months of higher temperatures and humidity. Now one would wonder why we complain about two to three months of warmer temperatures when many have whined and wished for warm weather for the past six months! But we hum and ho and whine and talk about the weather, “I was up most of the night because of the heat. I arrived at work drenched due to the heat. The bus is so hot and stinky…and even worse at the end of the day.” And so on and so forth
…
Why not look at the changes and embrace them, she says to herself on her way to work…
©Clr’17/06/14
(troiku)
peony
turning towards the sun
supping golden rays
peony
bumble bee exploring
nature in progress
turning towards the sun
swallows settling down
mid-day nap
supping golden rays
butterfly on a petal
cicadas sings
©Tournesol’17/06/14
breeding compassion (Waka) Daily Moments June 13, 2016
thimbleberry shrub
overcome by freeloaders
choked by greedy arms
blackberry vines overstay
morning glories take over
human’s helping hands
unwinding weeds and vines
free the choking stems
greenbelt lovers lend a hand
disentangling carefully
digging at the root
removing each stake – claimed
by jealous lovers
***
bindweeds breed – only
unhealthy relationships
nature’s oppressor
***
world disputes – only,
farm famine and poverty
breeding ground of war
greed lingers at the root
breeding lust for wars
if compassion
could lure like greed and lust
man would be set free
the Golden Rule would become Law
the breeding ground of love
©Tournesol’19/06/13
Daily Moments – June 13, 2017 breeding compassion (waka)
This waka (solo no renga and haiku/senryu) were inspired by Mystery, Adventure and Reward by Karuna’s post at LivingLearningAndLettingGo where she works tirelessly in the Greenbelt behind her home freeing the thumbleberry shrub from bindweeds (morning glory) and blackberry vines. This post reminded me of one thing, “if only only compassion ruled the world.” I’ve taken the liberty to post a few of her photos to illustrate the meaning of the poem.
lilacs – troibun – Daily Moments June 12, 2017
©Clr’17/06/12
On her way to work, she passes by a house with budding flowers and then she stops, takes a few steps back to admire a tree with flowers falling over the white picket fence.
sweet fragrance
tickling her nose
from the lilac tree
sweet fragrance
stops her on her path
last scents ‘til summer
tickling her nose
butterfly fluttering
delightful touch
from the lilac tree
flaunting its splendour
and luring bouquet
©Tournesol’17/06/12
Daily moments – lilacs (troibun) June 12 2017
spring blossoms (troiku)
©Clr’17/06/11
June blossoms
wings coming back to life
stealing their hearts
June blossoms
painting shades
in living colour
wings come back to life
honey bees and butterflies
falling in love
stealing their hearts
monks chant at sundown
bowing their heads
©Tournesol’17/06/11
corydalis
corydalis
blue raindrops on hillsides
wash away pain
bathing in nature’s bliss
soothing herbal remedies
blue tear drops
reflections of heaven
hanging by a stem
©Tournesol’17/06/10
Pedicularis (Indian Warrior)
on borrowed roots
magenta stems and feathered leaves
flowers blossom
nature’s herbal sedative
chasing man-made miseries
&
warrior’s plume
favour woodlands gracefully
nature’s beauty
©Tournesol’17/06/10
To read more about the medicinal properties of Pedicularis Densiflora click the link below:
Pedicularis Densiflora (Indian Warrior)
Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for his tireless daily meme and teaching us a little bit about the world each day.
Daily Moments – lazy Friday – June 9, 2017 (troiku)
©Clr’17/06/09
Lounging like a queen
I’m so green with envy
asks me to join her
lounging like a queen
makes a royal request
to stroke her
I’m so green with envy
dreaming
another life
asks me to join her
tempting me cunningly
stretching languidly
©Tournesol’17/06/09
Daily Moments – lazy Friday – June 9, 2017
A troiku is a new haiku form created by Chèvrefeuille at Carp Diem Haiku Kai.
Tournesol dans un Jardin 
