Tag: tranquility

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

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

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

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

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)

The Touch

On By Al W GalliaIn dragonflies, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Senryu, Serendipity, Uncategorized10 Comments

Today, I was privileged to witness another of my wife’s animal whispering encounters! A dragonfly flitting about our blooming gardenia found a rest stop which Bobbie quickly spotted. As she always does, she started a conversation and, for a few moments, they shared some special connection and message. I never stop being amazed!

resting dragonfly
her fingertip senses
a tentative touch

Al W Gallia

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.

Wet-Headed Woodpecker

On By Al W GalliaIn Aging, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, jesus, Nature, Nostalgia, Rustic, Spirituality, Trees, Uncategorized

My friends…many of the haiku I am prompted to write arise from visual experiences as my wife, Bobbie, and I travel in our motorhome RV. If we see something special and meaningful while I drive, she takes photos! Posts like this are collaborative, with a bit of embellishment on my part, and works well for us! Her capture of this old tree along the roadside was my prompt in this haiku/haiga/haibun. Thanks, sweetheart..

Thunder slowly rolls into the distance after the cold rain storm. The old tree never wavered but held its ground as it has for over a hundred years. Water dribbles down its remaining bark, winding through old ridges and crevices and onto the anthill below. A crow circles the tree once and flies on. Somewhere across the field, a cow moos.

storm clouds pass…

a woodpecker’s head

in a dripping hole

©Al W Gallia

I pull back my rain hood, breathe the fresh, crisp air, and walk out from the dilapidated cow shed toward my grandparent’s house across the field. From their chimney, the north wind carries the aroma of woodsmoke and bacon! Picking up my pace, I have a happy “thank you, Lord” in my heart.

the old limbless tree

warms in bright winter sun…

woodsmoke on the breeze

©Al W Gallia

Autumn Respite

On By Al W GalliaIn Faith, Favorite Places, God, Haibun, Haiga, Haiku, Nature, Spirituality, Uncategorized

A perfect autumn afternoon at Lake Martin, a short drive from home. The kind of day that brings a smile to my face, even when no one else is around, and chases stress and concern quickly away with beautiful earth-tones, stillness, and reflections, and life’s chorus.

a young gator waits

in dappled autumn sun

the frog moves closer

Al W Gallia

I treasure my time in Nature’s solitude; it is my direct channel to meditation and prayer where God is always present. Blessings and peace.