Category: Simplicity

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.

Just Us Two

On By Al W GalliaIn Beauty, Haibun, Haiku, Louisiana, Nature, Senryu, Serendipity, Simplicity, Sunset, Thoreau, Uncategorized

quivering sawgrass
focused on the same spot
we wait, the hawk and i

Al W Gallia
Sunrise

How gorgeous the red-shouldered hawk looks in the morning sun, so intent and alert to its environment! Yet it allows me to stare and marvel at its uniqueness and beauty without any apprehension. I am so thankful whenever Serendipity chooses to expose her hidden secrets to me as she did at this moment.

“A taste for the beautiful is most cultivated out of doors”

Henry David Thoreau

Look Behind the Veil

On By Al W GalliaIn Aging, Beauty, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Love, Nature, Senryu, Simplicity, Uncategorized6 Comments

a withering leaf…/ remnants of nature’s beauty/ litter the forest

Al W Gallia

Some things are timeless… not related to human manipulation and degradation. The beauty of unspoiled Nature in her virgin glory, a gift from our loving God, is at the top of my list:

A golden leaf swirling in a stream’s eddy; mottled sunlight on a blossom; a cardinal sitting on a limb; a sand-fall down a canyon wall; even a new dandelion rising through a cracked rock. Whether a fading leaf or a wizened old woman, innate beauty never changes and remains locked in time, unblemished forever.

a circling butterfly
touches down on her finger tip
breeze blown wildflowers

Al W Gallia

True beauty has no need of mankind’s touch, but only to be left alone to radiate and be appreciated.

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)

Creativity: A Tonic for Aging

On By Al W GalliaIn Aging, COVID-19, Faith, Haibun, Haiku, Nature, Peace, Simplicity, Uncategorized4 Comments

Occasionally I run across an article that sparks meaningful thoughts in my mind. After a year of social distancing (actually self-imposed isolation), my wife and I begin the latter part of our lives, our eighties, amidst worldwide Covid-19 pandemic, family and friends illnesses and deaths, economic turmoil, and civil unrest. It would be so easy for me to just fade back into the woodwork, waiting for some change that may not come, and die a slow death of mental dullness watching TV movies. But that is not me or my wife! Creativity has always been a big part of our lives in many varied ways.

camera in hand

he leans on his walking stick

the egret stares back

©️Al W Gallia 2021

For me, nature photography and haiku poetry have been my creative interests for many years. I realize how important such activities are for mental exercise and personal enjoyment. I also realize that continued pursuit of these activities requires certain physical adjustments that aging requires. Such changes were, at first, hard to accept but prayer, meditation, and trust in a loving God always light the way.

bayou stillness

his paddle’s swirl

the only sound

©️Al W Gallia 2021

So, if you feel the need to be creative at this stage in your life, the following guest post may provide helpful ideas.

Guest Post: How To Become A More Creative Person

Stumbled upon a super awesome website that I really must recommend you to read. Their niche is mainly in the areas of relationship, health, family …

Guest Post: How To Become A More Creative Person

The Dandelion

On By Al W GalliaIn Aging, COVID-19, Faith, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Life, Nature, Simplicity, Spirituality, Uncategorized, Walkabout2 Comments

One year into our Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, how the priorities of my life have changed! No longer do my wife and I plan fun shopping trips, cafe lunches, or casual visiting with family and friends. Add to that the stress of politics and the realities of turning 80, and we are now living in a new ‘normal’, maybe forever.

The one thing that makes our situation bearable is an unwavering FAITH in a loving, caring God, and the love and companionship we give each other! And one of the best ways to feel and hear Him is in the solitude and beauty of nature, where no words are needed but only awareness.

winter walkabout

among the dead leaves

a dandelion shoot

©Al W Gallia 2021

Eye to Eye

On By Al W GalliaIn Haibun, Haiku, Nature, Patriotism, Senryu, Simplicity, Uncategorized6 Comments

Another day of coronavirus self-quarantine dawns and the TV shows another night and day of riots and shootings. A quiet prayer for peace and law and order forms in my thoughts as I slowly sip my coffee. Then, in my old age, I sadly reflect on the state of my America which I have always loved, respected, and honored. But enough for now! On my iPad Pro, a Facebook memory pops up from four years ago. As nature’s beauty and simplicity are always my escape from the evil and hate rampant in our world, I happily share it again. God’s blessings and peace.

dragonfly and I

stare quietly at each other…

each understands the other

©Al W Gallia 2020

Haiku: Look and ‘See’

On By Al W GalliaIn Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Photography, Simplicity, Uncategorized8 Comments

My wife, Bobbie, and I love the mundane or ‘garden variety’ beauty of mother nature, such as the wildflowers, small creatures, shadows and nuances of colors and textures that the casual observer fails to notice. Even the subtle changes of the beginning or closing day present a trove of moments for haiku and photos.

dusk’s fading light…

the wildflowers change

into their gray hues

©️Al W Gallia 2020
©️Haiku by Al W Gallia; Photo by Bobbie Gallia

My New Blog Home!

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, Fine Art, Serendipity, Simplicity, Uncategorized2 Comments

Heavens Gate!

After lengthy and considered mulling over how to reactivate my personal blog, I have finally decided on moving from my old self-hosted blog to this WordPress hosted blog, primarily for simplicity’s sake. As many of my followers know, I now have two loves: nature photography and haiku poetry, so please bear with me as I make some mental and site modifications. This is where I’ll be from now on. Peace!