Disasters, Delights and Other Detours - 39. A Winter's Hike: The Tanka Challenge

Thank you! I'm so glad you could see what I saw, and feel what I experienced. Stay warm!

I'm cold, waiting for the Siberian cold.

1 hour ago, aditus said:

I'm cold, waiting for the Siberian cold.

Wish I could send you some hot chocolate. Or a hot chocolatier. 

very nice Parker!

i could feel the cold, and see the dogs, and share  your surprise at seeing the birds!

40 minutes ago, mollyhousemouse said:

very nice Parker!

i could feel the cold, and see the dogs, and share  your surprise at seeing the birds!

 

 

Thank you for reading these. Funny how hard it can be to give a full picture of January in five lines. 

oh what a glorious group!   these are all wonderful Parker!!

This makes even the cold sound appealing (from my comfy chair & blanket).  Tomorrow is soon enough to brave my own snowy walk, hoping for a blue jay.    ~Ms. V

I agree the sighting of a bluebird set against a background of snow is poem-worthy indeed! Your whole walk is also gloriously recorded, with a fine marriage of image and emotions. Very well done, and I'd encourage you to think Tanka more and more. It's a form that suits your observations skills, I think

👍   Wonderful, Parker!

4 hours ago, Mikiesboy said:

oh what a glorious group!   these are all wonderful Parker!!

Thank you, tim! And all in one long afternoon hike. It was a memorable day. 

2 hours ago, Y0rite said:

This makes even the cold sound appealing (from my comfy chair & blanket).  Tomorrow is soon enough to brave my own snowy walk, hoping for a blue jay.    ~Ms. V

How unexpected that a chilly January day should yield so much in an afternoon. Hope your own walk is as full of delights for the senses. 

2 hours ago, AC Benus said:

I agree the sighting of a bluebird set against a background of snow is poem-worthy indeed! Your whole walk is also gloriously recorded, with a fine marriage of image and emotions. Very well done, and I'd encourage you to think Tanka more and more. It's a form that suits your observations skills, I think

 

 

Your words are very kind. The bluebirds - there were five - puffed up in buff and iridescent blue against the cold. I was astonished to see them, but there was no mistake. Their appearance capped an extraordinary afternoon. I enjoy Tanka, though I had to get used to their inherent rhythm as I wrote scribble after scribble. 

1 hour ago, Headstall said:

👍   Wonderful, Parker!

Thank you, Gary! I hope it felt as if you had come along with me. 

2 hours ago, Parker Owens said:

 

Thank you, Gary! I hope it felt as if you had come along with me. 

I didn't see bluebirds on today's hike, but me and my new dog experienced much of what you did. We walked through my woods and gazed out over the snow draped fields, and I'm sure she yearns for a little mud spatter too... yet the crunch of brittle snow underfoot brought out joy in her with every step. I could feel it course through me as well, and despite frozen cheeks, it was an unforgettable first walk with her.   My   was full. 

Your poet's eyes took us along on a winter hike. What joy those splashes of color amongst natures muted winter wardrobe.

1 hour ago, dughlas said:

Your poet's eyes took us along on a winter hike. What joy those splashes of color amongst natures muted winter wardrobe.

 Thanks for coming along on the hike. I’m glad you enjoyed the experiences and sights of the park.

Beautiful! I looked up bluebirds, an alien species here, but oh, what stunning shades of the deepest blue!

I now understand why you stopped stunned staring -

the last two lines perfect in the way they sound and - with the alliteration making sure we stop too - with the next and last line again light and airy like the birds.

Well, the temperature dropped right in time for me to read these. I particularly liked the terriers at play, and the surprise bluebirds. A wonderful set, Parker. 

5 hours ago, mayday said:

Beautiful! I looked up bluebirds, an alien species here, but oh, what stunning shades of the deepest blue!

I now understand why you stopped stunned staring -

the last two lines perfect in the way they sound and - with the alliteration making sure we stop too - with the next and last line again light and airy like the birds.

 

Thank you for reading these, and for taking the time to look up bluebirds. Usually, we think of them as summer residents, but there they were flitting about the scrub and low trees. Tanka are fun to write; such concentration of emotion and image. 

2 hours ago, Defiance19 said:

Well, the temperature dropped right in time for me to read these. I particularly liked the terriers at play, and the surprise bluebirds. A wonderful set, Parker. 

With the plummeting temperatures, I hope these birds will have found some warm place to weather the storms. They were an incredible surprise, capping off a lovely hike. And I’m glad you liked the terriers at play, too. They’re such fun to watch. Thank you for reading these!