Ritual -- Seven Haiku

Cats’ necks crane—silence . . .
Summer grass rustles below;
Necks adagio!

A nose appears, black.
Two ears twitch beside antlers
Covered with velvet.

Graceful, cautious walk.
A tail twitches into view,
Flaunts the seasoned buck.

His eyes rise to cats
Who transform into statues
‘Til he’s satisfied.

Silent messages
Travel the morning ether--
Recondite silence.

Clarified by does
Who stott into the meadow
For a meal of grass.

Chatter in the trees
Claim the cats who beg release
To requite senses.

Comments: 13

Miz Lynn aka/BooBoo Jul 28, 2007, 1:37pm EDT

Ahhhh...so peaceful. Your description had me along side of you. Great poetry Jim.

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Sheila Deeth Jul 28, 2007, 2:46pm EDT

Hadn't realized how peacefully haiku could read. Neat.

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Jim Ross Jul 28, 2007, 2:53pm EDT

Thank you, Lynn.

Thank you, Sheila.

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David P. Jul 28, 2007, 5:05pm EDT

You bring the interplay of common creatures to life in your word painting. And you raise our sights to know rare species of words too: Adagio, recondite, stoit...fabulous for we the pupils. I love how you bring us in to witness the vigilant watch of the cats who struggle with the mysterious graceful silence and movement of the deer, and are liberated by the sensorial turmoil in the trees.

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Larry H. Jul 28, 2007, 6:15pm EDT

thanks for sharing your poem..

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Jim Ross Jul 29, 2007, 3:45am EDT

Hi, David. Thanks for the read and a wonderful comment.

My pleasure, Larry.

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DragonSoul !. Jul 29, 2007, 12:59pm EDT

I know a few hunters who would love to have been on the scene of this poem. Wonderful story comprised of haiku. I think there's a term for this kind of linked poetry like renga or tonka...it eludes me for the time though. Great work as usual Jim.

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Jim Ross Jul 29, 2007, 1:45pm EDT

Hi, DragonSoul. Thank you for the compliment. Glad to see your icon grace a poem of mine, again. I believe the forms you're thinking of are collaborative in nature; if you find the name, I'd sure love to know it. Thanks again; hope this finds you requited and happily back to the keyboard. :-)

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M M. Jul 29, 2007, 3:20pm EDT

I like "Recondite silence./Clarified by does." Hushed and beautiful.

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Pat M. Jul 29, 2007, 6:15pm EDT

Haven't seen a deer au naturel for years, Jim, until today. :-)

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Jim Ross Jul 29, 2007, 7:44pm EDT

Thank you, M M.. I appreciate that.

The deer came with the yard, Pat! ;-) Everytime I think about developing the place I lean on my deck and they give me "the look"--you know, the "You wouldn't dare" stare. Actually, they make the place worthwhile.

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Coffee Lady Jul 30, 2007, 3:10pm EDT

Seven haiku, all stitched together with the most transparant thread; delightful and refreshing. It is so magical to think of the creatures all living in the same space but not bumping into each other -- the quiet intensity of the "Ritual" is deeply felt in the use of the word "adagio!" Truly lovely

CoffeeLady

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Jim Ross Jul 30, 2007, 3:41pm EDT

Well, thank you for that, CoffeeLady!

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Ritual -- Seven Haiku

Comments: 13

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