Tag: Haibun

Posted in Haibun, October 2019

Majestic Mount Hood

Posted on by Leonas Lines
Mount Hood in Oregon
Mount Hood image from Wikipedia

Snow capped giant

Rises before me, I gaze

In awestruck wonder

Once more, Mount Hood, the sight of you has taken my breath away. Though miles away from me you loom in front of me like a blockade. Clouds hover above your snow capped peak. I gasp. You are intimidating, yet so beautiful.

I remember when I visited you and stood at your base, smelled your mountain air, and trembled at your majesty.

None other I have seen strike me with awe like you do giant rock.

Haibun

OctPoWriMo 2019

For info on Mount Hood visit this link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hood

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Posted in Haibun, July 2019

Keep Shining Bright

Posted on by Leonas Lines

Penny

Shining in the sun

Though a bit worn down from its use

Penny catches my eye

There lying in an obscure place, just off the beaten path was a penny.

I probably would never have noticed it if the sun hadn’t been shining as most of it was worn from use and dulled. It’s edges were rough, as if it had been chewed up a bit by a machine.

However, today in the sunlight it shone brightly enough for me to notice and that made me think of how I reflected my life.

What did people see when they looked at me? Was I shining in the light of the Son?

Was I noticeable or just obscure.? Was I making a difference in people’s lives?

I might be worn and weary, but I should still be shining out the light of Christ.

Something this little penny in my path made me ponder.

Haibun

Posted in Haibun, May 2019

Be Positive

Posted on by Leonas Lines
ATC created by LeonasDesigns 2019
ATC created by LeonasDesigns 2019

The world needs more laughter

Take time to be silly

Share some smiles

Today as I was walking out to my mailbox, two young girls probably about 8 or 9, were walking past on their way home from school, I imagine, as they had backpacks on and it was early afternoon about the time the grade school down the street lets out for the day.

They were smiling and giggling and begin walking towards me.

“Hi” they said

“Hello” I replied smiling.

“Have you ever had a Woo?” One of them asked, giggling,

“A Woo?” I said “What’s a Woo?”

They both began to laugh and that’s when I realized this was just some childish silliness. I smiled and decided to play along for fun.

“I will throw one to you, and if you can catch it you will see what it is!” said one.

“Okay.” I said “Throw it”

The younger looking of the two grasped her hand in the air and made a throwing motion towards me.

I quickly made a grab into the air and clutched my hand shut tight. “Got it!” I said.

They both began giggling and clapping.

“We want to see it!” They clamored.

“Ok. What’s the Password to open my hand?” I joked.

Surprised at that, they were puzzled. “Hmmm, not sure…” said one

“Guess “ said the other.

After a few guesses, hmmms, and giggles I opened my hand saying “Too late. It’s gone!”

They laughed and laughed as they ran off down the street towards home.

“Silly girls” I said to myself. 🙂

Thank You God for letting them cross my path today. I needed some silliness.

Halibun

Posted in December 2018, Haibun

The Candy Dish

Posted on by Leonas Lines

Candy Dish

Bringing a smile and

A little bit of sweetness

Into a stressed day

At home and in many places where I have worked I always have had a Candy Dish.

Filled with Peppermints or other small wrapped candies it offered a nice treat to those stopping by. A refreshing peppermint or piece of chocolate in mid-afternoon always seemed to be a good pick me up at work and at home of course it was the first place the grand-kids headed for when they visited.

Sometimes its just the little things that can make our days better.

Haibun

Posted in Haibun, October 2018, OctPoWriMo 2018, Scripture

Dear God

Posted on by Leonas Lines

,Carpet of fallen leaves

Do you see the real me

Beneath the heavenly skies

Leaf covered path

On my daily walk I pass by and over so many fallen leaves, some noticeable, some not. Some freshly fallen are filled with beautiful colors while some are withered, lifeless, or hidden beneath others.

It causes me to think that they are like many of us in this world. Some of us are more noticeable than others, perhaps more lively, active or attractive while others might be older, less active, or perhaps feel insignificant or hidden because they are covered in worries or burdens.

Just like the many leaves they may wonder if anyone sees the real them.

But the truth is that God does.

He sees us all, for that is one of His names.

In Genesis 16:13 it says “So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are ‘God who sees,’ because I have truly seen the one who looks after me.”

Hagar was a runaway who was alone in the wilderness with her child, she figured no one cared about her and she thought she and her son were going to die—alone….but God saw her and He spoke to her and helped her.

Matthew 10:29 says that not even a sparrow falls to the earth without God knowing about it, so I am thinking it must be the same for leaves and people too. He sees us all.

Everbody matters

For the clear truth is written

He’s “God who sees me”

Haibun

#OctPoWriMo Day 23

Theme: See Me.

Prompts: beneath, uncover, clear, unspoken,truth

Form: Haibun

Posted in August 2018, Haibun

Solitary Sight

Posted on by Leonas Lines

Purple Petunia blooming

A flower’s purpose

Is to seek to grow and bloom

Wherever planted.

On my walk today, when I saw this little purple petunia in bloom, looking so pretty and strong though growing all alone in an obscure place, I had to stop to admire it.

It wasn’t in a big beautiful garden. It didn’t have ideal soil and light, but it still grew and bloomed.

And whether anyone else noticed it there in its little corner of the world, didn’t really matter, because it did what it was supposed to do. It fulfilled its purpose. And in doing so, it inspired me.

This made me think about my life, my purpose, my growth, and it was good food for thought as my tummy made hungry sounds causing my feet to make their way towards home as the sun begun to set on another Summer day.

Grow-Bloom-Inspire

Knowing your purpose

Seeking to ways to fulfill

Leads to accomplishment

Haibun

Posted in April 2018, Haibun, NaPoWriMo 2018

Heritage Place Theatre

Posted on by Leonas Lines

Patio

View and listen to

Daily live performances

From the patio

Life at Heritage Place offers peaceful activity.

The large green yard filled with trees and blooming bushes is a perfect stage for local wildlife to gather and perform daily.

Every morning I open my blinds to reveal some new activity outside my window.

Perhaps the pesky squirrel sits poised, picture perfect, holding a peanut that the generous neighbor upstairs tossed down from her deck. She enjoys Mr Squirrel’s antics on stage and applauds him by throwing nuts instead of flowers. I would much prefer she fed the birds instead.

The Matinee yesterday featured a rather large raven splashing in the Birdbath, happily washing away winter’s dust. As I drew near to capture a picture of him sitting there, feathers shining blue in the sun, he chose to fly away before the camera could focus.

My camera and I often have many such “Camera Shy” encounters with the backyard birds, especially the Collared Dove Family. They are a skittish sort. Oh, that they were they more willing to sit and pose as Mr Squirrel does.

Towards evening the stage fills with a symphony of birdsong in the trees. A chorus of Sparrows, Robins, Chickadees,Towhees, Jays, Ravens, and Crows entertain with the Dove headlining.

As the sun lowers to meet the earth, the blinds close once again on nature’s stage just a few footsteps away from my door and I give thanks to my Creator for another day of life.

NaPoWriMo 2018 Day 12

Today, we’d like to challenge you specifically to write a haibun that takes in the natural landscape of the place you live. It may be the high sierra, dusty plains, lush rainforest, or a suburbia of tiny, identical houses – but wherever you live, here’s your chance to bring it to life through the charming mix-and-match methodology of haibun

Posted in Haibun, October 2017

A Timely Message 

Posted on by Leonas Lines

Angels
“Live” the angel said

Don’t worry ’bout tomorrow

“Live for today!”

This was a message I needed to hear today. 

My eye surgeries had gone well and I was in the end days of the the healing period. However, the last few days I had been dealing with increasingly irritated eyes and that were especially light sensitive. Nothing seemed to help and It was becoming depressive. I couldn’t read, write, drive, use the computer or even watch TV without them becoming irritated, it felt like my eyes were full of sand. The only way I got any comfort was to lie down and keep them shut. 

Great, I thought. What good is this! I have things to do. What good is it to just be lying around with my eyes shut! 

I began to pray, plead actually, for God to help, to heal, as I couldn’t imagine living the rest of my life like this. I am a creative person. I do not like to lie around, I like to be busy doing things. 

I began worrying about the future and just became depressed not even being happy to wake to another day if it was going to be filled with this kind of living because I have always been one who loves the sunshine and looks for the little joys in life, like reading and writing and adventures, if my life wasn’t going to be filled with those things anymore I worried what I would do, and really of what use I would be. 

However, today,  my daughter, grand-daughter and I had a short shopping trip planned which included lunch at a favorite restaurant. I prayed it would be a good day, one that I could enjoy without any eye problems. 

Well, as always God was listening and my eyes seemed to have few problems thankfully. Also, He sent me a very Timely message. 

While in a Thrift Store today I happened to see a little angel figurine and her message spoke to me loud and clear! Inscribed on her were the words “Live” “Live for today.” 

I was reminded once again that I should not be fretting and worrying about the future, but I should be taking one day at a time and trusting God to work all things together for my good, somehow someway, for I am His child and He loves me.  

So thank You God for sending Your heavenly messenger in the form of this little figurine to let me know once again that You are in control and that I should not worry. 

Today I did live and rejoice and my eyes felt better because of it! And, the little angel now belongs to me to remind me everyday to “Live! Live for today!” 

Haibun

Posted in Haibun, June 2017

Yesterday and Today

Posted on by Leonas Lines

White fence, trailing red roses,
Though no gardener tends

Even among the thistles

Your beauty shines

Just yesterday the white fence, posing as a trellis, was adorned with wild red roses, which it wore proudly as if poised for a June wedding.

Just yesterday, the white fence patiently waited for a bride to enhance the heady fragrance it wore or perhaps even a June graduate wearing a bright smile under a capped gown to stand tall amid the picturesque scene it and the rose had created.

Never mind, the thistles below nor the high grasses that threatened, its beauty far outweighed them.

The fence was secure, serenely dreaming, enjoying the surrounding beauty of nature.

The Gardener across the way agreed and admired from afar as a wandering Photographer stopped to capture the meeting of color embracing white. Just yesterday this little corner of the world was harmoniously picture perfect.

Today, in the heat of a June afternoon, an angry, overworked young husband, stress weighing heavily upon his shoulders, took up the task of weekend lawn warrior.

In haste to complete his “honey-do” list before the nightly news he changes his little corner of the world with just a pair of clippers and a lawnmower.

The white fence now stands naked among the short grass. rose petals ebbing where thistles grew. The Gardener across the way weeps and wishes for yesterday.

Rose petals ebb

The white fence stands naked

A Gardener weeps

Haibun

Posted in Haibun, October 2016

Old Shoes

Posted on by Leonas Lines

old shoes
If old shoes could talk

What a story they could tell

Of places they walked

One by one my shoes are wearing out.

For me, buying shoes is not an easy task as I need a large size with a wide width. Therefore, when I find a pair of shoes that are comfortable I wear them until they basically fall apart, which is what seems to be happening lately. 

As I begun to throw each worn out pair away abit of nostalgia hit me and I was reminded of all I had done in those shoes. Work shoes and dress shoes, they all held many memories within them, but life has changed, those times are past, and they must go, for their purpose has been served. 

New shoes are here

Opportunities await

In each step they take

A new journey starts as I put on my new shoes and bag up these old shoes for disposal. I am looking forward to what each step brings! 

Haibun