Form Friday: Senryu

Istiqlál (Independence), 3 Sulṭán (Sovereignty), 173 BE - Friday, January 20, 2017 AD about 12:58 PM Pacific Standard Time 

Eggs over easy 

The smoke alarm goes off 

Time for breakfast 

A Senryu is similar to an  haiku except for the subject. The subject of a haiku concerns nature while a senryu is about human beings and their life. I got the idea for the above poem when breakfast was cooking. The smoke alarm in the living room goes off whenever we fry something on the stove. Cooking in the microwave or the electric oven doesn't set the smoke alarm off, but every time we fry something on top of the stove it set off the smoke alarm. 

Saturday Afternoon

Jalal (Glory), 17 Sharaf (Honor), 172 BE - Saturday, January 16, 2016 about 2:26 PM Pacific Standard Time

Saturday morning
clouds concealed the rising sun
a chill in the air.

The afternoon is passing in tranquil silence. I hear a car door slam down the block, but no other noise disturbs the neighborhood peace. I am alone in the house drinking the last of the coffee. I am wearing a back sweater to keep my arms warm. I check the weather online and find that it is about 52 degrees Fahrenheit with an overcast sky.

Tranquil afternoon
the hours pass while I write
senryu haiku.

 

Saturday Summary: Days of Drama

Jalal (Glory), 7 Aẓamat (Grandeur), 172 BE - Saturday, May 23, 2015 9:42 am Pacific Daylight Time

An exciting week
Not what I was wishing for
The drama is past

Except for a barking dog and cooing pigeons, it's quiet in my neighborhood this morning. After all the drama of the last two or three days this is a relief. Beginning on Wednesday evening and extending through Friday afternoon the drama level was higher then I've witnessed. Most of the chaos concerned neighbors shouting, yelling, and cussing each other out either on the street or in their apartments with their windows open.

On Friday afternoon we had a bit more excitement. The police blocked the Eastern entrance to my alley off. They also block the Fremont entrance to 21st street off. I don't know what was going on. I don't know who or what they were looking for. I just happy the excitement is over with for a little while.

Despite all the drama and excitement, I accomplished a few things this week. I wrote two short stories and finished a poem. I also managed to pick up my medication and make some blog entries. I didn't get everything done I wanted to do, but that's all right because no one ever accomplishes everything they want done in a week's time.

Midweek Reflections on Socks and Laundry

Idal (Justice), 4 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 172 BE - Wednesday, May 20, 2015 8:44 am Pacific Daylight Time

I washed my socks out
today in the bathroom sink
using laundry detergent.

It is unusual for me to wash my socks out using laundry detergent because normally I use either shampoo or dish washing liquid. When I returned home from the laundromat yesterday, I brought the open jug of laundry detergent into the house. Usually I leave the detergent in the car because I don't have a washer or dryer in my apartment and it's easier to keep the laundry soap in the car rather then find a place to store it in my studio apartment.

As I washed my socks
I contemplated the metaphor
of laundry and the meaning of life.

I didn't take my dirty socks to the laundromat because I usually lose one in either the washer or the dryer. When I wrung my wet socks out, after the second rinse, I noticed that I had five socks. Since I wear two socks at a time, this meas I am missing a sock. I guess it doesn't matter where I wash my socks because I'm probably going to end up with missing a sock.

Where do lost socks go
when you lose them in the wash?
Do monsters eat them?

Since I only managed to do half the laundry yesterday, I'll have to do laundry again this month. I'll plan another trip to the laundromat next week sometime. Of course, I could change my mind and go on Thursday of Friday of this week.

Shorter Days and Longer Nights

'Idal (Justice), 5 Masá’il (Questions), 171 BE - Tuesday, December 16, 2014 about 5:43 pm Pacific Standard Time

Shorter days fly by
Longer night tiptoe to dawn
The temperature drops

I feel rushed as the short days fly past and descend into evening. I have so much to do, so what did I do today? I spent the entire day in the car driving across Las Vegas and not getting anything accomplished in the house. Do I feel guilty? No! I am relaxed and unworried. I have things to do tomorrow which will take me out of the house, so I probably will not get back home until after dark.

Night driving stressful
But sometimes I enjoy it
I worry too much

It is past sunset here in Las Vegas. I am tired from my from my drive across the city. My back hurts because I was in the car so long. I enjoyed my day away from my apartment despite the pain and not  accomplishing much. I will get the dishes washed tonight. I will get the trash ready to carry out  in the morning. I will write. I will not  go to bed until about 10:30 or 11:00 pm.

Sunset a new day
The weariness moves on
The pain melts away

November Haibun

Jamal (Beauty), 13 Qudrat (Power), 171 BE - Sunday, November 16, 2014 about 7:15 am Pacific Standard Time

chilly November

ghost clouds float across the sky

sun cast dark shadows

It's typical November Sunday morning with bright sunshine and scattered clouds. I look out my window and notice a slight breeze ruffling the palm fronds. I know the day will warm as the sun rises higher in the sky, therefore, I will wait until around noon to take out the trash.

a chilly morning

the middle of November

hot cup of coffee

I made one carafe of coffee this morning. It's almost gone because I used some of it on my cold cereal instead of milk. Normally I make only one carafe of coffee a day, but this morning I will make another because it warms me and brings back memories of my childhood.

Grandpa drink coffee

he brewed a pot every day

sometimes more then one

November Poem: Daylight Savings Time Ends for 2014

Jamal (Beauty), 18 'Ilm (Knowledge), 171 BE - Sunday, November 2, 2014 about 6:39 pm Pacific Standard Time

extra hour of sleep
end of daylight savings time
for 2014

This is Day 32 of my 95-Day gratitude challenge and one of the things I am grateful is automatic time updates. I do not have to change the time on my computer or cellphone. That means I only have to deal with the microwave clock and the clock in the stove. I will change the clock on the stove sometime today and check to see if I have to change the clock on the microwave. Sometimes I do not spring the microwave clock forward so I do not have to change it back in November.

do sparrows observe
daylight savings time in song
they have their own time

It is November with shorter days, longer nights, and cooler temperatures. These things added to the change in time make the first week of November a bit hectic and confusing. Confusion comes with moving the clock back an hour because I think it should be later then what the clock reads.

morning temperatures
descend into the sixties
I need a sweater

Meditation Monday: The Rain

Kamál (Perfection), 4 Kamál (Perfection), 171 BE - Monday, August 4, 2014 3:24 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Beautiful raindrops
descend from dark angry clouds
melting desert sand.

As I look out my front door on this rainy Monday, I see light as the sun attempts to break through the charcoal gray clouds. I watch people walk past my door; they are dressed as if they think the rain has stopped for the day. I suspect we will get a few more raindrops before sunset.

Beautiful raindrops
carried to earth by angels
blessing the desert.

The dark gray cloud appear to be angry, but that is an illusion. We associate darkness with human anger, so when it is cloudy we think the charcoal clouds indicate anger. We are putting our human emotion into the clouds when neither the clouds nor nature is angry. Rain is a natural phenomenon, it is a gift from nature to the desert.

Beautiful raindrops
some call them the tears of God
baptizing the Earth.

In the desert rain causes flash flooding, dangerous to anyone stranded in low areas or walking down dry riverbeds. Flash floods are a natural phenomenon we must beware of and try to avoid. On days like this, I think about the homeless who are living in the drainage tunnels that were constructed to prevent flash floods from devastating part of the city. The homeless living in those tunnels are endanger during rainy weather because of the possibility of flash floods.

Beautiful raindrops
both a blessing and a curse
to desert cities.

Supplication Sunday: Prayers Resonate

Jamál (Beauty), 15 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Sunday, July 27, 2014 about 4:20 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Prayers resonate
ascend from the contrite soul
to the throne of God.

I have Remembrance of God, a book of scriptures, resting beside my keyboard. It is there because sometimes I have to stop in the middle of whatever I am working on to say a prayer or read a scripture verse. When I am stuck for a word or do not know where a story or blog entry is headed, I stop to say a prayer or read a scripture. Prayer also helps when I find my mind wandering and am unable to focus.

Prayers resonate:
smoke rising from a campfire
merging with white clouds.

Remembrance of God is on the left side of my keyboard. On my right side, and sitting on a wooden T.V. stand, is a cup of coffee or tea. Sometimes I have a container of soda or bottle of water on stand instead. The refreshment I have there depends on how I feel and what I am working on at the time. These two things, the book and the refreshment help me write.

Prayers resonate:
music reverberating
across mind and soul.

Fruitful Friday: Prayer

Istiqlál (Independence), 13 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Friday, July 25, 2014 about 3:50 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Prayer produces
abundance, a fruitful life,
and a tranquil mind.

I have a prayer book in the glove compartment of my car, so that before I back out of my parking place I can say a prayer of protection. I also carry a small book of scriptures in my purse so that I have something to read while I am waiting in my doctor's office. The title of the book is The Power of Divine Assistance, which contains verse from the sacred writings of the Baha'i Faith.

Bring down blood pressure
read from the sacred scriptures
while you are waiting.

Serenity Saturday: The Calmness of a Sunday Afternoon

Jamál (Beauty), 8 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Sunday, July 20, 2014 about 2:11 pm Pacific Daylight Time

On this calm afternoon, I remember the Sunday's I spent with Grandma Mary and Grandpa Frank. In the morning we would god to church, which consisted of attending Sunday School and then church services afterwards. After church we would go to my grandparents' house and eat dinner.

Sunday dinner consisted of southern fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, creamed peas or spinach, soda or iced tea, and some type of desert. Grandma usually made a pie of some kind. I always liked Grandma Mary's rhubarb pie hot with a scoop of ice cream. Sometimes it was home made ice cream and sometimes store bought. I liked the homemade ice cream better.

Serene Sundays
bring back childhood memories
and a joyful smile.

As I think back over to the days of my youth, I remember the serene days were those spent with my grandparents or sitting calming observing nature in all its beauty. I have not been to a park in a long time, I think I need to go on a afternoon picnic, sit in the shade of a tree, and watch the birds flying from branch to branch.

Serene Sundays
morning prayers are intoned
alleviates stress.

Midweek Reflections on a Long Day

‘Idál (Justice), 4 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Wednesday, July 16, 2014 about 6:52 pm Pacific Daylight Time

In late afternoon
the sun cast long dark shadow
weariness sets in.

It's been a long day, which grows shorter as the month passes. In the middle of July, I listen to the air conditioner as it cools the hot afternoon. I'm tired, but there isn't any use going to sleep because I'm not sleepy. I don't get sleepy until about 10:30 or 11:00 pm. Then I go to be for a short night's sleep.

Day in and day out
I wonder what my life would
be like if I had a pet.

Perhaps I'm lonely. Living alone after so many years of living in the same house with my mother. I have to get used to doing everything by myself. I don't mind the work, but it would be nice to have someone to talk to about so many things. I would like to discuss my memories of growing up in Oklahoma.


Loneliness enhanced
by the long summer days that
pass in increments.

 Writing helps alleviate the loneliness. Housework help alleviate the loneliness, I now understand why my grandmother did housework in the middle of the night when she couldn't sleep. Maybe I should try doing housework when I can't sleep instead of writing.

Sundry Sunday: What's on My Mind on Sunday, July 13, 2014

Jamál (Beauty), 1 Kalimát (Words), 171 BE - Sunday, July 13, 2014 about 5:45 am Pacific Daylight Time

Middle of July
temperatures are rising high
a busy week planned.

I have a grief counseling group meeting on Wednesday at 4:00 pm. I had a dream about the meeting last night or early this morning. In the dream, I arrived at the meeting place, but found that it was being held in a different room. I went in and took a seat at the head of a huge rectangular table. Normally we sit at a small round  table and even when we have a square or rectangular table, I do not sit at the head.One of the other members came in with a large container of hot chicken. I had forgotten that each of us was supposed to bring something to eat.

What did I forget?
Was it something important?
Was it about food?

 Because of t his dream, I wonder if I forgot something. Am I supposed to take something to the next meeting? At the last meeting, I mentioned writing a poem about dementia, perhaps I am supposed to take a copy of that. I will have to see if I can get the other computer and the printer to cooperate so that I can print off a copy.

On a Beautiful Tuesday morning

Fiḍál (Grace), 15 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Tuesday, July 8, 2014 about 10:23 am Pacific Daylight Time

morning prayers said,
the Venetian blinds opened
white fish for breakfast

beautiful Tuesday
the sun concealed behind clouds
will it rain today

blog entries composed
flash fiction story to write
crystal water fall

i am moving on
i am learning to let go
Tuesday morning work

After Sunset

Jalál (Glory), 4 Ayyám-i-Há (The Days of Há), 170 BE - Friday, February 28, 2014 about 6:37 pm Pacific Standard Time

After sunset
damp air penetrates my bones
is it still raining

Its rained off and on all day here in Las Vegas. On days like this I don't want to do anything except huddle under a blanket.

I'm tired of winter
tired of the dampness and clouds
I want spring to come

I decided to stay home this evening and finish up a few things. I sit down to say prayers and took a short nap, which lasted longer then I planned. Maybe I should set an alarm when I take a nap.

I ate the last of the leftovers for breakfast

Jalál (Glory), 17 Masá’il (Questions), 170 BE - Saturday, December 28, 2013 about 10:35 AM Pacific Standard Time

I ate the last of the leftovers for breakfast, so I'm going to have to fix something else this afternoon. I'm thinking perhaps a  grilled cheese sandwich with a salad. I purchased stuff for a salad on Thursday, so all I have to do is make it. I'll do that as soon as the dishes by the sink have drained.

I washed my dishes the old fashion way, but I don't dry  them with a towel. I let them drain by the sink and then put them away. It works just as good and since I don't have any dishtowels it's the best way for me to do it. I'll have to purchase some dishtowels in 2014, that way I can dry the dishes and put them away immediately.

Hot soapy water
warms my arthritic fingers
drives away the pain.

I still have a lot of work to do this morning, both online and in the house. Now that  the dishes are done I can focus on something else. I know I have to check Mom's room to see if everything is out of there. Once I do that then I can unplug the light and carry it into the dining room where I'm putting everything I want to take with me. I also need to check the other two bedroom to make sure I don't have anything in their I want to keep.

A New Year coming
a new residence and life
in 2014.

I'm looking forward to the New Year and living some place where I can keep warm without an outrageous power bill. I will be happy if that bill is less then $200.00; I'd like a place where the power and water are paid, but I'll accept a place that has a lower power bill even if I'm still struggling to pay it. I just have to place my faith in God, pray, and keep on keeping on.

Thoughts at Sunset in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 14 Qawl 170 BE - Friday, December 6, 2013 about 3:44 pm Pacific Standard Time

the sun is setting
neighbor's are returning home
from work and shopping

 I went to the store yesterday and wouldn't you know it, I forgot two of the items I went in to purchase. I forgot laundry detergent and dryer sheets. I have to check my account to see if I can purchase those this weekend. If I can't then I'm going to have to do without those items until the end of the month. Oh well, it won't be the first time I washed clothes without laundry detergent or dryer sheets.

the sun is setting
the cold day is cooling down
tomorrow hot soup

A Cloudy Tuesday Morning In Las Vegas

Fiḍál (Grace), 16 Qudrat (Power), 170 BE - Tuesday, November 19, 2013 about 8:23 am Pacific Standard Time

a cloudy Tuesday
charcoal gray clouds hide blue sky
the coffee is hot

I will be moving soon and one of the t hings I will miss is looking out this living room window at the sky. This morning, the clouds conceal the sun and the blue sky. There is a slight wind, blowing through the neighbors' oak and olive trees. The weeds in the front yard are turning from green to light gray, while the leaves on the oak tree next door are yellow and falling to the ground.

a cloudy Tuesday
the damp in the morning air
penetrates my bones

There are other things I will miss when I move out of this neighborhood, but then I will have new things to discover in my new neighborhood. I am, on one level, looking forward to the move and, one another level, I do not want to move. A move means changes and sometimes change is difficult or painful; however, it is necessary to the advancement of the individual soul and humanity.

Friday morning in Las Vegas

Istiqlál (Independence), 16 Mulk (Dominion), 169 B.E. - Friday, February 22, 2013 about 11:05 A.M. Pacific Time

Friday morning, my coffee cup is empty because for the past thirty minutes or so I had  to deal with modem issues. I am do know what caused the problem because manually rebooting the modem cleared the problem. I do not want to know what caused the problem because I am more interested in why one computer is encountering virtual memory problems.

Fortunately, that computer is not the one I use to surf and work on the Internet. At least under normal conditions, the only thing I use that computer for is downloads. It is the downloads that may be the problem. Anyway, I am running a virus scan on that computer right now; sometime this afternoon I will know if there is a problem with virus or spy ware. In the meantime, I will pour me another cup of coffee and finish cleaning off the dining room table.

computer issues
make days interesting stressful
another week past

A late winter afternoon in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 4 Mulk (Dominion), 169 BE – Sunday, February 10, 2013 about 5:10 P.M. Pacific Time

the charcoal gray clouds
and a cold wind is blowing
then the sun peeks out

I am looking forward to spring and warmer days. I have turned the thermostat down to 70 degrees. I would like to turn it down lower, but I cannot deal with colder temperatures. As it is, the arthritis bothers me; it is a dull pain in my joints. I have not taken a pain pill because the pain is dull and it is not continuous.

the sun is setting
behind charcoal and white clouds
a cold wind blowing

The wind feels cold to me, but I do not think it is as cold as it feels. The clouds make it seem colder. Clouds covered the sky most of the day and now sunset approaches. I have not checked the weather today, so I cannot say what the temperature is in Las Vegas. I know we do not have snow, so it cannot be as cold it feels to me.

my thermostat
my body’s temperature gauge
has not worked in years

I think it feels cold to me because my body’s thermostat does not work properly. It has been several years since I felt comfortable in winter. I used to like the winder, but now I prefer spring and fall temperatures. As I have said before, getting old is not for wimps.