Category: God

Facing the Sun

On By Al W GalliaIn Beauty, Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Louisiana, Nature, Peace, Senryu, UncategorizedLeave a comment

It is only February and yet it feels like spring here in south Louisiana! The smell of early blooming flowers and greening trees lifts my spirit with hope for a good year ahead. I think about the snow and ice just about a days drive north and wonder: Is climate change real and is this the new normal? Whatever the case, I know we cannot control it and thank God for His many blessings, trusting Him to lead me on. Blessings and peace, my friends.

blooming azaleas…
birds at the feeder oblivious
to lawnmower noise

Al Gallia

Mosquitoes Humming

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haibun, Haiku, Life, Rustic, Simplicity, UncategorizedLeave a comment 
rain drips
from the thatched roof
smell of cooking rice
Al W Gallia

She lives simply in jungle, subsisting mostly on nature’s sometimes meager bounty. Hers is a never ending hard life with very little time for leisure activities as she must provide for her children and aging parents. She has no electricity or other utility services. Her husband is seldom home.

steaming heat…
in the bamboo forest
a hacking machete
Al W Gallia

Today, regardless of weather, she hoists her fifty pound basket onto her back and starts her weekly trek to the local marketplace to sell or trade. Her sandals are worn and loose on her feet. Yet she hums and trudges on, thankful for all God has given her.

wild pig squealing…
a jet plane’s contrail above
the jungle canopy
Al W Gallia

And life goes on, as it always has for countless generations around our world.

Still Pond

On By Al W GalliaIn dragonflies, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Peace, Serendipity, Uncategorized3 Comments

Away from life’s busyness and noise, I relish my time of solitude in nature. The day’s stress resides as birds return to their nests and evening’s peaceful quiet settles over the little pond. Thank you, Lord, for your blessings.

passing clouds…
the damselflies like me
need a rest

Al Gallia

A Fellow Traveler

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Life, Nature, Peace, Senryu, Uncategorized

Out of the chill wind, I lean against the sun-warmed brick wall. A brief mid winter warmup lures my thoughts toward coming springtime in south Louisiana.

limp banana leaf
a young anole warms
in the winter sun

feeling the sunlight on my face
I too thank our loving God

Al Gallia 2023

An impatient commuter honks his horn at another car! For the moment, I am brought back into the real world where we humans continue our endless, chaotic struggle of cultures, morals, religions, money and power. But only briefly, as then I let my senses flow back to the blessed solitude, peace, and oneness of God and nature, to the promised hope and deliverance of my Christian faith.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find…”

Matthew 7:7

Silence

On By Al W GalliaIn Beauty, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Walkabout4 Comments

The complete absence of sound…the smell and sight of fresh snow…my memories flow back from my winter walkabouts in Montana! So clean, so quiet! Yet I always sense God’s nearness. I do miss it sometimes. Blessings and peace, my friends. Happy New Year!

A Glimpse of Heaven

On By Al W GalliaIn Beauty, Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Peace, Senryu, Spirituality, Sunset, Uncategorized

Sitting on a pier at Perdido Bay, Florida on a still winter evening, i feel so blessed as the sunset kaleidoscope slowly turns.

‘raw sienna’ drips
from the artist’s brush…
winter blaze

Al W Gallia

I sense God’s peace and comfort settle in my soul, and I hear His whisper, “Be still and know I am your God. I love you!”

a seagull settles nearby
unimaginable colors
beckon my soul

Al W Gallia

Smile Begets Smile

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haiga, jesus, Love, Senryu, Uncategorized3 Comments

Americans and the world must heed St. Teresa’s words now! She joyfully spoke God’s message of love and care to all who would listen. Blessings and peace, my friends.

clerk’s sad face gone—
another smile blooming
from a smile

Al Gallia 2022

A Moment’s Pause

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Peace, Senryu, Simplicity, Sunset, Uncategorized, Water6 Comments

Last light of a hot summer day. As the hum of awakening mosquitoes grows louder in my ears, I pause for a last look at monotone surreality.

still waters…
hushed swishing
of heron’s wings

Al W Gallia

And I whisper, “Lord, thank you.” No more need be said..

(Image is AI generated)

Morning Inspiration

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Peace, Uncategorized

As early sunlight breaks over the trees at an Alabama state park, a light breeze begins to tickle the lake’s sleepy surface. A cardinal pair chirps nearby. The aroma of hot coffee wafting, I take my first sip slowly and begin to muse on God’s blessing of nature’s uncorrupted beauty,

summer morning…

shadows rippling over

reflections

Al W Gallia

A gentle voice I’ve heard so often in my mind reminds me again: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” Jn 14:27

Future Unknown

On By Al W GalliaIn Aging, COVID-19, God, Haibun, Haiku, Love, Politics, Uncategorized1 Comment
Together as One

I shake my head sadly at our fumbling politicians and ‘leaders’. It is so obvious that their left hands have no idea what their right hands are doing. And they have no desire to compromise toward America’s center. It is only about power and control, not America’s welfare.

3rd Covid year…
as politicians deflect blame
old couples lock hands

Al W Gallia

In the solitude and peace of our home, our safe escape pod in this latest Covid surge, I thank God again for my faith, my wife, and our health. Amen.