Haiku My Art - Glowing!

©Barbara Kaufmann 2013

       All winter I've been playing with my camera, taking it wherever I go.   I have been capturing 'ordinary' moments which, in reality, are exquisitely extraordinary!  My photography has become an artistic, spiritual practice.  It is at once contemplative and creative.

      My interest in poetry continues unabated and I discovered, quite by accident, that I can imprint my photos with small poems (like haiku.)

     I've been practicing and find it a relaxing way to pass a wintry day.  When one combines  a haiku with a piece of art work ( not necessarily a photo) in a way that enhances both the picture and the words, it is called a haiga.

     Voila!  A perfect new hobby for me.  Who says you can't teach an old girl new tricks?

      The more I read and study haiku, the more I realize the subtle skill required to execute an exceptional one and the more I am inspired to continue writing.

       Spring is everywhere if only we look for it.  I see it in the shadows that fall across the tile floor in the sun room.  I see it in how the sun plays with the house plants in the corner.  I see it in the morning light which creeps  upon the landscape a bit earlier each day.

       Oh yes, the temperature is still blustery and can chill the bones, but there is a softening, a lightening of the land.  The trees are starting to swell and their color is subtly different.  And this morning we woke to a late winter snow fall that will hide the signs of spring again, but only for a day or two!

      The birds, quiet all winter, intent upon survival, have begun the spring dance they perform every year.  They  cavort, jittering about , males chasing females.  The mating ritual has begun---weeks before the first bud has opened.

      When I make my morning rounds in the garden, I  notice that the daffodils are up several inches out of the ground and the crocuses are ready to pop any day now.
       
      There is joy in the quiet snowfall  of winter and joy in the anticipation of spring, warmth and color -glorious color -returning to my world.

      The photo above was taken a few days ago when the sun was streaming through the window, seeming to light the leaves of my scented geranium from within.  I could feel the sun on me too and its slow movement north was apparent from the changing slant of light.

   The photo is reproduced here without alteration (except the addition of the words)  The edges of the leaf are not variegated - that is the light seeming to glow right from the center of the plant!    The words are my attempt to capture the  fleeting feeling I had when I saw this glow on the leaves.

      It is all this and more that I want to write into a poem and snap into my camera.

      I am sharing my haiku with Rebecca and friends at Recuerda Mi Corazon where haiku reigns on Fridays!  Hop over to see who is sharing poetry and art today.