Haiku: Picking Up the Gauntlet

On By Al W GalliaIn Aging, Faith, Haibun, Haiku, Handicap, Illness, Senryu, Uncategorized2 Comments

In the physical therapist’s waiting room, an elderly woman leans on her walker, her arthritic hands unable to grasp it securely. 

hot afternoon…
old woman pushes her walker
humming a gospel hymn
©️Al W Gallia

Yet her eyes sparkle with life as she smiles and greets others in the room. In her eyes I sense no despair, but only acceptance of her suffering and the ‘joie de vivre’ her Christian faith gives her. When called, still smiling as a saint, she pushes her way through the door. My prayers follow her.

leaning on his cane
he looks up the rocky trail…
the evergreens beckon
Al W Gallia

Daily Haiku: March 23, 2023

On By Al W GalliaIn Uncategorized

I am very proud to have my haiku selected for Charlotte Digregorio’s Daily Haiku! With the advent of spring, the gathering of returning birds and their chatter around the feeders was the trigger for the haiku. Blessings and peace.

Charlotte Digregorio's Writer's Blog

cypress buds . . .

multilingual chatter

of nesting birds

by Al Gallia (USA)

Haiku Dialogue

The Haiku Foundation, February 2023

View original post

Beautiful Tanka by Rika Inami

On By Al W GalliaIn Beauty, Nature, spring, Tanka, Uncategorized

I love Rika Inami’s tanka/photo pairings! She is such a wonderful poet and photographer, and I wanted to share her recent post. Blessings and peace, my friends. Click the photo below

2023年3月 短歌 March 2023, Tanka All rights reserved ©Rika Inami 稲美 里佳  ＜ This winter is over.　今冬が終わり＞ 1 春きたり雪のあがたの天開き重き調べの冬越えしかも spring arrives… sky in …

稲美里佳の短歌：Tanka by Rika Inami (67)

Facing the Sun

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

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, Uncategorized 
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.

A Desert Walk

On By Al W GalliaIn Haibun, Haiku, Nature, Rustic, Uncategorized, Walkabout2 Comments

In response to: Your Daily Prompt for March 6: Chafe

The hot dry wind spins the squeaking windmill without rest. The weathered cabin shudders from an unusually hard gust, and a horned lizard in the shade closes its eyes. After drying the sweatband of my hat, I sip from my canteen. It has been a good day.

desert trail…
the hot sand inside my boots
chafing my tired feet
Al W Gallia

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

Babel

On By Al W GalliaIn Haiku, Life, Nature, Uncategorized5 Comments

Friends, I must say that am very proud to have my one of my haiku included in the latest THF Haiku Dialogue! The selections from so many wonderful multinational poets are a great pleasure to read! Check it out.

cypress buds…
multilingual chatter
of nesting birds

Al Gallia
Louisiana, USA

HAIKU DIALOGUE – Avian Adventures – Diversity (1)

Growing Up Realtime

On By Al W GalliaIn Aging, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nostalgia, Senryu, Uncategorized3 Comments

The 50’s were the time of my teenage years, when life was real, simple and direct. Radio and fuzzy TV! No cable, no computers, no cell or smart phones, no apps, social media, online gaming, or A.I.!

But bikes, local parks, Dairy Queens, drive-in movies, fishing, and realtime friends I could share life with were enough! Blessings and peace, my friends. Pray for our young folks.

fifties diner
whiff of youth’s memories
and bacon
Al Gallia 2023

Is It Spring Yet?

On By Al W GalliaIn Acadiana, Haibun, Haiku, Louisiana, Nature, Uncategorized2 Comments

In the cypress swamp the approach of Spring promises renewal of life and spirit, warming air and water, nesting birds, and budding trees and flowers; all creatures wait in anticipation of rejuvenation. The little blue heron stalks along lapping wavelets, watching… for careless minnows or frogs, its feathers ruffled by the southerly breeze. It is s good time to be alive.

a fresh breeze carries
the smell of bedding fish…
nesting egrets

Al Gallia
Anticipation