Henry David Thoreau caught hugging Lao Tzu from behind on the Jumbotron
Coldplay kiss cam Scandal!
In the Shadow of
Been a while since I did a TankaTuesday challenge. This one is to use the phrase “in the shadow of” with the task of creating contrasting imagery of real or metaphorical light and darkness.
In the shadow of of the sun, the moon waxes and wanes.
In the shadow of ambition, small achievements are lost to pride.
In the shadow of trees, shade provides cool shelter.
In the shadow of envy, what we have is lost to what we want.
In the shadow of loss, love's sad face is a mirror of what we miss.
In the shadow of the mountain, cool valleys grow by snow fed streams.
In the shadow of the moon, we remember that darkness is enlightened by stars.
Finding Oneness
When the relevance of numbers disappears, that’s oneness.
I thought of this while walking a path bathed in yellow pine needles. With the word “bathed”, I’m trying to express the expanse of the needles. Pressed under my feet, stretching behind me and ahead. Blanketing the woods to either side. Surrounding me in every direction, even beyond my view.
I think of the process of counting each one. I try to glimpse meaning beyond the absurdity of the task. Absurd because how long would it take to even count the number in ten square feet, never mind the huge expanse in Great Pond State Forest?
When the relevance of numbers disappears, that’s oneness.
My idea is attempting to express the woven unity of this carpet of needles. A vast, interlinked skein. Yes, made of individual shafts, but the repetition speaks to me a giant tan fabric. Is not fabric made of many threads connected? Many elements woven together to make one.
Envisioning this helps me better understand the Taoist concept of merging the truth of individuality within the connection of totality. Losing numbers in this small world of pine needles connects me to the immense unity that I am a part of and apart from.
Braver
I’m not always good at the struggle. Especially after 30 years of teaching, it can be really difficult to confront a misbehaving class and find constructive ways to change the situation. It’s stressful and exhausting. I mean, it’s like how many times do I have to overcome the same challenges.
At least one more time, I guess.
These lyrics were in my head this morning, and I’m so happy they were. They are from the song “Braver” by my favorite band 311. The dashed words are mine.
I know you say you're done
I know you wanna run
---- but I have to be ----
Braver, braver than anyone
Braver than anyone
Braver than anyone
I’m presently teaching a class that makes me want to say I’m done, and makes me want to run. But of course, neither is possible unless I quit.
The day I wanted
To walk away, leave teaching
Inspired progress
Instead of walking away, I had to be brave. It’s has taken bravery to bring my administrators in on the problem. In my early career, it was risky to admit that you were having a hard time with a group. It felt like you were risking your job. Now, the model has changed, and the admin is supposed to advise without evaluating the teacher negatively. It’s also brave to confront a problem that seems to have no solution.
Brave enough to change
Courage to admit weakness
Find a better way
Getting advice and talking openly with my students has given me insight into ways that the problems can be fixed. And that we can do it together. Bravery isn’t temporary; it has to become the way.
Thanks to tankstuesday for this challenge!
A Little Negativity for Tanka Tuesday
The challenge on TankaTuesday this week was to use synonyms for promise and comfort. My mind did not go to it’s usual happy place, so enjoy a bit of a downer.
Some things can't be soothed.
A broken vow can't be fixed.
Safety is shattered.
The pledge's soothing assurance
Split into sharp edged pieces.
Macbeth Witch’s Brew Tanka
I used these ingredients from Macbeth to create my witch’s brew tanka for Tanka Tuesday: Eye of newt, toe of frog, tongue of dog, owl’s wing, adders fork and blind worms sting.
Newt pirate eye patch
A cane for the frog to match!
No more yelping dog:
Its tongue licking owl wing,
Adders fork and blind worms sting.
Three Waves
The Tanka Tuesday challenge was to use words from this word garden:
I wrote three Tankas focused on different meanings of the word “wave”, and included the words “two”, “sail” and “castle” to focus my wavy theme.
1.
Still water sailing
Contemplating smallest waves
Powerful enough
To lift our heavy boat up
Working with the ocean's strength
2.
She is first to wave
The only movement within
The stillest moment
And then we break free, smiling,
Surging, running, embracing.
3.
Thick brick and cold stone
An edifice of power.
A castle's defense
Has no strength to stop the wave
Flowing force of joy and love.
Not a humdrum or mindless poem
The tankatuesday challenge this week is to write a tanka based on the words “humdrum” and “mindless” without using those words.
I always try to catch myself when I allow this miraculous existence to become dull. It’s easy to coast through life without appreciation. Today’s sunrise was another glorious reminder.
It's the sun again
Same old fireball rising
Boring miracle.
Wait! That's not like me at all
I crave its light and its heat.
Tanka Puente for Tankatuesday
A Tanka Puente is a a tanka poem with a prose bridge between two parts. Mine is about my frustrated ambition to be published by a publishing company. Thanks as always to tankatuesday for the prompt.
Living inspired
Magic and my characters
Alive and speaking
My thoughts my words my stories
My world becoming the world
~My love of writing is not enough. My ambition requires publication.~
Success desired
Acceptance by publishers
Close calls, rejections
Not enough for me because
My dreams stride across the world
One of the Biggest Bears Yet!
I was driving home from a hike with Anna. She was in the back seat. I turn the corner to my road and see a SUV backing out of our driveway. Not too surprising because we’re the first on the road, and a lot of people turn around in it.
But it’s actually my former neighbor Petra, who was visiting her parents next door. She lowered her sunglasses and said, “You have a bear in your yard.”
I looked up to see the enormous black hump of a strolling bear in my front yard.
I said “I sure do!”
After I said thanks, I rolled up into my driveway as it was hidden by brush and trees. This gave me time to park near the garage and get my camera out. It was nice having Anna safe in the car, leaving me free to film without worrying about her.
The bear obliged by walking very slowly into the frame and through the back yard. I got it centered on my screen, and then was able to watch it live. It’s haunches were unbelievably powerful, and vibrated with every step.
See for yourself and scan the QR below for my Instagram reel. Or search @bozbozeman on Insta and give me a follow if you’d like!
Mark Bozeman 