Saturday Haiku: Ocean's Shore

Who can match Dylan Thomas's lines from "Poem in October" where he speaks of "the heron priested shore?" I love that evocative imagery, and I like this beachside photo, so I wrote a haiku for a summertime setting.  ~ CK

in the morning sun

at the vast ocean’s shoreline

a lone heron waits

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Photo: Heron at Sunrise
Found online on Pinterest and at Sundiamonds of Life 



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All Shall Be Well

[The following essay was first posted in November of 2011. This week I was reminded of it and found it to be a word I needed to hear again today.]

“All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.” 

                                                                                               ~ Julian of Norwich

I tend toward optimism. Sure, you can look around and see any number of causes for alarm and dismay. The world – or I should say the humans who inhabit it – display a grand mixture of good and bad, weak and strong, noble and depraved. Even so, and with such a mixed bag, humanity is on an upward track. There is a higher consciousness and a greater awareness at work in society. I can’t say that my view was always so bright. Growing up as a Southern Baptist, the Puritan heritage combined with the twentieth century Evangelical movement combined to create a climate of judgmental attitudes and a bleak worldview. Modern society was often seen as depraved and "going to hell in a hand basket."

One morning when I was a young college student at Samford University, I was at breakfast in the school cafeteria. I was in a kind of funk, wondering what this world may be coming to. My friend and upperclassman, Bruce Wilson, happened to be sitting at the same table. I made some comment about how it seemed like dark times we were living in. Bruce responded with something like, “Oh man, this is the best time I can think of to be alive!”  He then started naming all of the great things about living in the world today.

Somewhere along the way I made a shift to a much brighter world view, sloughing off the myopic dread of Puritans and Evangelicals that so many of us Baptists in the South had inherited. I can’t say that the shift came that very day, but that conversation with Bruce certainly got me thinking, and I’ve remembered that moment to this day.

The quote above from Julian of Norwich reflects an assuredness that everything will be alright. Hope and optimism were not the order of the day during Lady Julian’s time (1342 – 1416). There was an onslaught of death from the bubonic plague, economic depression and devastation from wars.  Julian somehow saw creation as emanating from and being upheld by the love of God. Her words of hope became a beacon for 20^th century poet, T.S. Eliot, who incorporated Julian’s all shall be well quote in “Little Gidding” in his Four Quartets.  Elliot himself wrestled with how hope and faith can be appropriated given the many doubts, struggles and angst of the modern age.

 Rabbi Zalman Shachter-Shalomi says “There is more good than evil in the world but not by much.” I like that way of seeing the world. It is offers hope that good will prevail while being realistic that there is also a lot of bad. To me, that statement encourages us to keep looking for the best, affirm the good that we see while lending our efforts to increase the good.  Things may not always be to our own particular liking, but there is still a lot of good out there.

And then there is that quote from E.B. White that I have used before, "I arise each morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." There is so much to enjoy in the world. Whatever our present struggle, I believe we can take heart that all shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.

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Monday Music: Hand in Hand (Dire Straits)

From the YouTube site:                                                                                                         

Dire Straits were a British rock band, formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals and lead guitar), his younger brother David Knopfler (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar and backing vocals), and Pick Withers (drums and percussion). Dire Straits' sound drew from a variety of musical influences, including jazz, folk, blues, and came closest to beat music within the context of rock and roll.

(Scroll down to read lyrics)

Hand in Hand
by Dire Straits

The sky is crying the streets are full of tears

Rain come down wash away my fears

And all this writing on the wall

Oh I can read between the lines

Rain come down forgive this dirty town

Rain come down and give this dirty town

A drink of water a drink of wine

If I been hard on you I never chose to be

I never wanted no one else

I tried my best to be somebody you'd be close to

Hand in hand like lovers are supposed to

As you'd sleep I'd think my heart would break in two

I'd kiss your cheek I'd stop myself from waking you

But in the dark you'd speak my name

You'd say baby what's wrong ?

Oh ? Here I am baby I'm coming back for more

I'm like a wave that's got to roll into the shore

Yes and if my love's in vain how come my love is so strong ?

Now you and me go parallel together and apart

And you keep your perfect distance and it's tearing at my heart

Did you never feel the distance

You never tried to cross no line

Now it's another dirty river and another dirty scar

And I don't know who's kissing you and I don't know where you are

So far from home don't you think of me sometime

Sky is crying see the streets are full of tears

Rain coming down to wash away my fears

And all this writing on the wall

Oh I can read between the lines

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Saturday Haiku: Barn Swallows

when swallows take flight

and winds become more playful

the eye must follow

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Image: Two Barn Swallows in Flight, Willow Branch and Flowering Cherry above (1910)
Artist: Ohara Koson (Japan)
Medium: Woodblock print
Public Domain (courtesy of WikiArt)



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The Return of Ol' Possum

[You may have seen my reference to a possum in a poem last week as a sign of hope, a connection with nature (see Respite in Nature). Here is a post from two years ago about my delight in the return of ol' possum.]

“I’m sorry to have to tell you this,” my wife said, “Your possum got hit. We saw his body up on the main road.”

My connection with ol’ possum went back for a little over a year. If you read my post about the raccoon family, then you know about how my wife leaves some cat food out on the porch for the feral cats that we spayed and re-released last year. She feels an obligation to offer them food and water as well as a responsibility to see that they do not continue to reproduce, bringing unwanted kittens into the world.

That Was No Rat

One night last year, she was a bit unnerved when she went out the door to see a rat hiding behind the recycle bin waiting for her to leave so he could eat the cat food she left on the porch. When I went out to check, I didn’t see anything, but I had thought it unusual that a rat would wait in the corner for someone to leave. Usually a rat will scurry on away.

Photo by Divulged

The next morning, however, when I went out to the car on my way to work, I spotted a mother opossum and two little cubs moving out from under the holly bush by the porch. One of the young cubs went skipping and frolicking into the neighbor’s yard. I had never seen an opossum skip and frolic like a young goat, but usually I had only seen lone adults who tend to waddle more than scurry, skip, of frolic.  

I knew then that I had discovered the mystery of the “rat” my wife had seen the night before. Since it was a possum, that was another story altogether. Not only would we not shoo him away, we would make sure we left extra food so that he could make it in the wilds of our neighborhood. I do not know if this frolicking young opossum is the one who continued to make nightly visits, but we were delighted to provide what sustenance we could.

Opossum Traits

I learned that opossums – opossum is, of course the official name of the only marsupial native to North America, but in the south, we typically say, “possum” – I learned that opossums like fruit. We often buy the bowls of chopped fruit at the supermarket, so I would leave a little plate of fruit each night in addition to the cat food. I quickly found out that possums do not care for strawberries or pineapple, but apples, grapes, and melons are never turned down.

I also learned that possums can be considered helpful animals in that being omnivores they eat all kinds of things including ticks and other pests – even snakes. They are immune to snake venom. They do not have permanent dens or hideaways, but typically bed down during the day wherever they happen to be, preferring wooded areas (and we have several small wooded areas in the vicinity). 

I’ve never seen a tick or a venomous snake in our neighborhood, but if ol’ possum can keep those things out, so much the better. Mainly, though, I enjoyed being able to offer some assistance to the wildlife in the area. I enjoy keeping the bird feeders filled, the squirrels get dried corn in their own little holders, so a little possum food just adds to our suburban “wildlife preserve.”

A Disruption in Nightly Routine

It was meaningful work, and though possums are nocturnal and solitary, I felt that I was communing with nature on some level by catching a glimpse of ol’ possum from time to time, and seeing the empty fruit dish on my way out each morning. Then the fruit dish went untouched for a few days, and I no longer caught a glimpse of my friend while walking the dogs at night. I wondered what might have happened to him.

After about a month, much to my delight, I saw ol’ possum again one night, back on the porch where the cat food was put out for the feral cat. Happily the next day I bought some fresh fruit so that our possum could again have some fruit in his diet. We had been back into our nightly possum-feeding routine for a couple of weeks when one day I came home from work and my wife told me the news: “I’m sorry to have to tell you – your possum got hit. We saw his body up on the main road. We got out and managed to get his body off the road and by the alley way – thought you might want to go up and bury him.”

Of course, I was sad. First the possum went missing for a while, then out of the blue, returned to its old routine scavenging for food on our doorstep. And now, she was gone again (or he, I can’t really tell). However, the story would take yet another turn. When I walked the dogs that night, on our way back up the porch steps, Mike stopped and slowly growled. It was not his “I see a cat!” kind of growl. It was a more careful, cautious growl. Wondering if it could be, I peeked over the recycling bin, and there was ol’ possum! Back for more supper!

I took Mike the dog on inside and gladly told my wife, “I need to cut up some more fruit! That was not my possum up on the road; our possum is out their looking for some food.”

By the time I got back outside, the feral cat was down on the sidewalk wishing the possum would leave, so I ended up putting a separate plate out for the cat at the foot of the steps and the usual cat food plus fruit for ol’ possum up on the porch so they could both dine in peace.

A Decent Burial

The next day, I took a shovel up to the main road by the alley to find that possum that my wife had told me had been hit by a car. He may not have been my possum, but he was somebody’s possum and he deserved a decent burial. The ground was dry and hard since we have been under drought conditions for a couple of months. I had not brought a pickax, only a shovel, but I did manage to scratch out a shallow grave, enough to get the possum covered. 

I thought of Antigone of ancient Greek drama, who dared to defy civic authority by venturing out to the battlefield just so she could get a little dirt over the body of her slain brother who had fallen in battle. It was important that he have some semblance of a proper burial. We are all in this struggle of life together, and we must honor each of the fallen. 

And so it was that I paid my respects to this possum whose life had been cut short. After I was finished with my roadside burial, I put a few fallen limbs over the grave and raked more leaves over the site for a bit more protection. I then headed back to the house. 

Ol’ possum is still enjoying his fruit and cat chow at night. I still delight in the occasional glimpse of him from time to time. I cannot know when he might “disappear” again, and I don’t know how long his time on earth will be. None of us knows that about ourselves. We have no guarantees. We can only treasure one another each day and be glad for each glimpse that we are granted.  

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To learn more about the opossum, go to 10 things you didn't know about opossums at Mother Nature Network (by the National Association of Advancement for Opossums).  The following video from the Center for Biological Diversity is also a great introduction to the world of the opossum. 

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Monday Music: Sutu Kun (Vieux Diop)

"Sutu Kun" by Vieux Diop was one of the stand out tracks for me when I happened upon a Windham Hill Collection CD at the public library. The CD was Summer Solstice 2. Many good tracks, but this is one artist I had to look up and hear more from.

Or, you can see the YouTube video at https://youtu.be/yxYEWh4hzwQ

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Saturday Haiku: Light Came in the Morning

tell me one more time

how light came in the morning

propelled by bird song

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Image: "Meadow at Giverny" (at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts)
Artist: Claude Monet
Medium: Oil on canvas



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The National Sacred Harp Convention

The National Sacred Harp Convention will be meeting for three days this week, June 14-16 in Fultondale, Alabama. (For details, go here)

Sacred Harp is an old acapella style of singing that came to this country by way of the English settlers. It was taught to people by using shaped notes to designate, and a "fa-sol-la" method for vocalizing each note. It was kept alive in this country primarily by the Primitive Baptists in Appalachia.*

Did you know that sacred harp music is finding renewed interest in conventions across the United States and even in other countries? There are sacred harp events across the British Isles, Australia,  and Europe, even in Austria, Germany, and Poland.

In the three videos below, you will see first some authentic Sacred Harp singing at Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church in a video produced by the Great Smoky Mountains Association. That one is followed by "World Unknown" at a Sacred Harp Convention in Ireland. The third video is of Sacred Harp singing in Poland.

You will notice that there are some very specific characteristics that are followed every time. There is the four-square seating arrangement in which the different vocal parts are seated in a square with the music director standing in the middle (sacred harp singers call that middle space the "holy of holies" where the best sound can be heard). You will also notice the "fa-sol-la" vocalizing done by the group before the words are sung. There is also the distinct up and down hand movements of the director which some of the singers will do as well.  Most important, you will hear that distinctive sound.

I will also add that, as good as these recordings are, they are no match for hearing the music live and in person. If you can, make it out to the National Sacred Harp Convention in Fultondale (near Birmingham), Alabama, or find a local sacred harp singing near you. 

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* See also Sacred Harp and the Sound of Eternal Essence.

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Monday Music: I'm Going Home (Sacred Harp)

The National Sacred Harp Convention will be meeting this week, June 14-16 in Fultondale, Alabama. (For details, go here)

Sacred Harp is an old acapella style of singing that came to this country by way of the English settlers. It was taught to people by using shaped notes to designate, and a "fa-sol-la" method for vocalizing each note. It was kept alive in this country primarily by the Primitive Baptists in Appalachia.*

Did you know that sacred harp music is finding renewed interest in conventions across the United States and even in other countries? There are sacred harp events across the British Isles, Australia,  and Europe, even in Austria, Germany, and Poland.

Here is an old sacred harp melody, “I’m Going Home,” being sung at a Sacred Harp Convention in Ireland. 

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* See also Sacred Harp and the Sound of Eternal Essence.

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Saturday Haiku: The Waters Speak

sometimes the waters

speak to us of all the world

while trees are silent

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Image:The River Epte (courtesy of WikiArt)
Artist: Claude Monet
Medium: Oil on canvas



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Fred Rogers, I'll Be Your Neighbor

Fred Rogers on the set of "Mister Rogers Neighborhood"  (Jim Judkis / Focus Features)

When my daughter was a preschooler, even as a toddler, she loved to draw and paint (she, in fact, grew up to be an artist). I still remember one day as she was using her markers and large poster-sized paper which she had laid out on the floor. With some large, rather abstract sweeps, she said, “This is Mister Rogers. He has long arms.” I was glad to see my daughter thinking of Mister Rogers in her creative moments.  I could not help thinking as well that Fred Rogers did indeed have long arms – figuratively as well as literally. He reached so many people in positive ways during their formative years.

Won’t You Be my Neighbor? is a new documentary about Fred Rogers that is coming to theaters this weekend. I look forward to seeing it. Just as I was happy to see my daughter fondly thinking of him all those years ago, I am also quite grateful that Mister Rogers is being remembered now, 15 years after his death.

If you look to the top of my blog page, you will see a “Heroes” tab. If you go to that page you will see a list of heroes, and Fred Rogers is right there at the top of the list. There you will see the essay I wrote in 2012, which I share again below:

Finding Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood

One of the happy asides for me that came with being a father was having the opportunity to visit Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.  As soon as my daughter was old enough to pay attention to television, we started tuning in to Fred Rogers’ program on Public Television. In fact, for all of my daughter’s pre-school and early elementary years, TV viewing for her was limited to PBS children’s programming, and a few other children’s programs at places like The Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon and on video tape.

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, however, was the best thing ever developed in children’s programming. It was something my wife and I always enjoyed watching with our daughter.  Once my daughter started preschool, I began taping Mister Rogers. I found that I could get a week’s worth of programming on one VHS tape (this was before TiVo, DVDs, etc.). That way she (and I) were able to watch the show later if the broadcast was missed. We loved the pace of the shows, and parents could learn about interacting with children by watching how Mister Rogers talked to children and what things he chose to talk about with children.  

I learned some things myself about zoos and aviaries, about how graham crackers are made, how poets deal with words, and how musicians ply their talents, and many other fascinating things from Fred Rogers’ field trips.  Above all, it was reassuring to watch him and understand that I could make it as a parent in spite of my doubts and worries about whether I could get this parenting thing right.

A self-actualized person

Fred Rogers may have been one of our best examples of a healthy, well-rounded life – a self-actualized person.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines self-actualization as “to realize fully one's potential.” It is a term coined by psychologist Kurt Goldstein and also used by psychologists Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers.  It carries the connotation that one is living fully within one’s potential and has made full use of that potential. Once I was taking a graduate course dealing with developmental psychology and the topic of self-actualization was discussed. The instructor asked us to name some examples of people who were self-actualized.  Since I had spent some of my daughter’s formative years watching Mister Rogers' Neighborhood with her, I immediately put Fred Rogers' name to the class as one whose life was a prime example of self-actualization. The professor had a look of surprise, then of awareness. “I think he is a good example," the professor said. "Usually in class students will mention names like Jesus Christ, the Buddha, or Mahatma Gandhi, but Fred Rogers is certainly a good example of what we are talking about.”

A good neighbor

Fred Rogers was definitely a gift to all who encountered him, whether in person or on television.  He showed us how to talk to children and he taught us how to be a good neighbor. You can read another writer’s reflections in an article, “15 Reasons Mr. Rogers Was the Best Neighbor Ever.” There is also a wonderful video on You Tube in which John D Boswell (melodysheep) has done an auto-tune digitalization for PBS of some wonderful moments with Mister Rogers. You can see that delightful and inspirational video below.

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Respite in Nature

Oak leaf hydrangeas (can you spot St. Francis?)

It is the natural world that gives me hope for the future and comfort in the present. With so much turmoil in politics and in the news cycle, I find my own peace and renewal in nature. Though I live in an urban neighborhood, I like the presence of parks nearby and a vibrant creek in walking distance (I catch sight of a blue heron down there on occasion). My wife and I try to keep nature as close as possible by planting things in the yard to create a “sacred space,” attracting birds and butterflies and keeping us in touch our living planet.

Indeed, it is our natural environment that is our hope and our sustenance. Though care for the environment has become yet another political struggle, may we ever more seek to preserve the earth that sustains us. 

Last week, I took some measures of encouragement by stopping to listen to the natural world from my own doorstep. I shared one of those moments Saturday with the haiku, “Forest Rain.”

The other two events were documented in short poems as well:

Watching Squirrels

Sitting on my front porch

I watch the squirrels

As they scurry around the telephone pole.

They are fatter this year –

A sign of abundance

In the neighborhood.

         *    *    *

Two signs of hope

Up in the trees along my street

I hear two barred owls calling,

“Who cooks for you!”

And the possum on his itinerant rounds

Makes a front porch visit

To the offering of fruit.

5/21/18                  ~CK

May we continue to find hope each day as we nurture this vibrant and fragile earth.

Trees in the ally for a natural space

Four oclocks and lilies

Lilies with birdbath

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Photos by Charles Kinnaird

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Monday Music: Ganges Delta Blues (Ry Cooder & V.M. Bhatt)

“Ganges Delta Blues” is a track from the album, A Meeting by the River, which was a collaboration between American songwriter and slide guitarist, Ry Cooder, and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, a Hundustani classical musician. Bhatt plays a monhan veena, an instrument of his own invention which has been described as a hybrid between a guitar and a vichitra veena.

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Saturday Haiku: Forest Rain

rains falling

fresh winds bending trees

earth renewed

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Photo: Drops on Spruce
Stock Photo (Getty Images)



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