Heart Speak

February 2005 Collection

Haiku, Irk & Bliss

Donna Walbert

Table of Contents

Acknowledgement................................................................................................................................................. 4

Introduction............................................................................................................................................................. 5

HAIKU AT CHINCOTEAGUE.............................................................................................................................. 6

HAIKU HODGEPODGE........................................................................................................................................ 10

HUSBAND HAIKU................................................................................................................................................. 16

IRK.................................................................................................................................................................................. 19

Misery on the Menu................................................................................................................................................. 20

In My Mug................................................................................................................................................................. 22

Reoccurrence Rumba................................................................................................................................................ 23

The Inquisitor............................................................................................................................................................ 24

The Request............................................................................................................................................................... 26

When My Knight in Shining Armor Needs Rescue............................................................................................ 27

Finally Figures........................................................................................................................................................... 28

Wondering Why....................................................................................................................................................... 29

BLISS.............................................................................................................................................................................. 30

Eterni-Tea................................................................................................................................................................... 31

Which Way Is In?..................................................................................................................................................... 32

Out the In................................................................................................................................................................... 33

Forgetting to Remember........................................................................................................................................... 34

Seasonal Affair.......................................................................................................................................................... 36

Serious Seduction..................................................................................................................................................... 37

Peace and Quiet Concerto at Little Pond Lane..................................................................................................... 38

Bring On The Bliss.................................................................................................................................................... 40

Acknowledgement

Special thanks are expressed for the continued support I have received from family and friends this past year. Each day my spirit is nourished by their continuous flow of love.

Together we continue our journeys to health and wellness.

Dr. Jack Shreve, Professor of English, guides and sustains my creative thoughts to produce sense out of chaos, insight out of confusion and humor out of misery. He is my teacher and I am grateful for his friendship.

New and rekindled friendships feed and remind me of the importance of each new day for which I am eternally grateful.

David Jones, Allegany College of Maryland Foundation Director and kindred spirit, helps me find new ways to ensure that the “Heart Speak Scholarship” will continue to provide funds for upcoming health career students. Production staffs Carolyn Bond, Tracie Akers, Kass Lashbaugh and Lex Sieler are always eager to donate time and talents to the “Heart Speak” project. I am indebted to each of them for their kindness and assistance.

Ultimate acknowledgment goes to my Creator, through whose Spirit my work continues.

Introduction

A famous quote by Albert Einstein inspires us to think about the big picture. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” From my new perspective, everything IS a miracle. Miracles captured in my perceptions and thoughts continue to flow to paper. I am compelled to capture feelings, sensations, smells, tastes, sights and sounds to validate the wonder. I am inspired and so my view is stretched. Everything is a miracle.

While my writing confirms miracles, beauty and truth everywhere for me, I hope it also challenges you to find miracles. Dr.Wayne Dyer, in “The Power of Intention” says, “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at change.” When we change the way we look at things, miracles are found in the mundane, beauty is to be savored everywhere and existence stretches to infinity. Inspiration flows from this new perception. Finding miracles by changing perception creates inspiration. Inspiration literally means in spirit. How’s that for a miracle?

“In spirit” is a miraculous place to be. Life is good, the future even better and the big picture, full of miracles, right in front of your eyes.

I hope you enjoy this edition of “Heart Speak: Haiku, Irk and Bliss”.

Donna Walbert

HAIKU AT CHINCOTEAGUE

A fish surfaces The dark motionless bay Burps big bubbles
	Searing sun drops down Dark blackened bay says “Ahh!” Its shower spews gold spittle
End of the dark pier Big Dipper pours stardust On both of us
	Crickets warbling...chirp Ends chatter to dead silence Day finally done

Sleeping yellow cat Lifts its resting heavy head “Irritating noise.”
	Drowsy dazed cat Squint-eyed blinks, “Not now.” Settles back to nap
Distant laughter heard Holiday hallmark heckle Friends fun fulfilling
	Dusk arrives soon Today’s blind date so early Summer’s new escort

Setting sultry sun Taking only minutes now To find its cool bath
	Moon shines silver gloss Icing glazes the water Candy for the eyes
Constant companion Never to be introduced Shadow of myself
	Evidence of me Waves erase conclusively Am I really here?

HAIKU HODGEPODGE

Graffiti-pocked face Tired Dan’s Rock Needs a facelift now
	August heat bears down On the old weary oak Much more tired this year
Dangling crystal twists To catch unsuspecting rays Rainbows fill the room
	Darkness wakes the cat Prowling around all the night She sleeps in till noon

Waiting for next snore Insomnia feeds off sleep Wakefulness endures
	Breath crystal glistens Frosty nights echo now seen Boldly back at you
The dog tilts her head Moment of understanding Communication!
	Deer prints, apple cores below The old apple tree Given a haircut

Rising water rushes Levels the way to go there Inventiveness born
	Rain fills the bucket Validating volume’s voice One drop at a time
Faith finds its new host amid Crowded despair Hopeless alone hopes
	Passage dark and lonely Deep well of courage Fear, the cup to drink

Ravens forlorn perch Grey mist falls lonely upon Disposition blue
	Reflection’s quick gaze Unfamiliar me just now For a fleeting glance
Yesterday younger Today fifty-three years old Tomorrow’s day before
	Peaceful feeling now Comfortable in my skin Beginning anew

Snowfall covers earth
Everything pure and simple
Flakes of reprieve softly down

HUSBAND HAIKU

Tender morning kiss Planted on my sleepy mouth Tasting you all day
	Strapping secure arms Haven from my weary world The sanctuary
Wrapping around you Legs and arms into the glove Bodies become one
	Gentle loving touch Instant communication Two souls, one desire

Sweaty tired brow Evidence of your sacred Commitment to us
	Standing next to you My stature grows complete Absolutely tall
Sleeping peaceful now Your consecrated presence Blessed in my bed

IRK

Misery on the Menu

“Bless us, oh Lord, and these thy gifts,

Which we are about to receive from thy bounty,

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Clang. Click, Clack.

“Yes, I’ll have potatoes,”

Clump!

“How about you?”

Swish, Swit, Swish.

Salad looks wonderful.

Click, click.

Roast smells incredible.

Clunk.

“Could you pass the beans?”

Tlink, tlink.

“Yummy!”

“Did you know that so-and-so has been given three months?

Doctors are not hopeful,

Opened and closed back up,

Family is a wreck,

So sad.”

“Pass the salt, please”.

Chee, Chee, Chee.

“Seconds anyone?”

“Coffee?”

“Sure.”

Slurp.

Sclurch, sclurch, sclurch, sclurch.

“Dessert, anyone?”

“Absolutely.”

“Upside-down all around?”

“That looks to-die-for.”

Sleuch.

“Whipped cream?”

“Top it off, sure?”

Dollop...lush.

“More coffee?”

“Nothing like a great cuppa,”

“By the way did you hear about...?”

In My Mug

Belly-up to the bar,

Paradise Pub star,

Bitter brew round,

Fate fortune found,

Drink you will,

Destiny’s dynamic distil,

Cosmic concoction,

Your only option,

“No choice?”

With weak voice.

These matters so grave,

But of course, be brave!

Throw back courage slug

Bottom chaser in my mug.

Reoccurrence Rumba

“I pray for God’s comfort and peace to sustain you.”

Bold words of encouragement written

To the agonized fellow survivor with reoccurrence.

Expressions spoken from behind my unseen shield,

Impervious mask separating me from your misfortune

Lest my fate become the same,

Somehow passed from you to me

As contagion from host to host.

Barriers break easily

As infectious terror’s swirling vortex

Sucks me unwillingly into the dance again,

Fear leading its helpless partner

Onto the dance floor

So in my crowded alone I stand,

Stiffly bracing for the battering blow

As the Reoccurrence Rumba begins again.

Distance’s promise of forget

One tap encounter away from gone,

Most days partner enough

But not today.

For in the dance you are me.

And prayers for comfort and peace

Spoken for myself not you.

The Inquisitor

“Hello, How are you?”

Reply comes easy,

“Fine, and you?”

“Fine, fine, no complaints.”

With lowered voice and lean-in posture

The slice comes swift!

“So tell me, how are you, REALLY?”

Inquisitive eyes search for clues

To hidden pain and secret demise.

Determined eyes reply,

“REALLY I’m fine.”

How-can-this-be eyes assess the retort.

Narrow eyes continue the inquisition.

“So everything is ok”?

Resolute eyes nod

“Absolutely.”

Unyielding eyes, body inclines,

Despite invisible wound

“Everything IS just fine.”

Never-had-to-deal-with eyes retreat in confusion.

Disillusioned.

No flesh from the dying today!

No tonic swig of at-least-it’s-not-me.

No know-it-all gruesome gossip.

Sadistic sympathizing stayed.

Survivor’s triumph told by

Torturer’s torment turned.

Serves-you-right eyes smile

Back in peaceful punishment.

With perfect prediction,

Righteous reality.

Dying, living,

Living, dying.

Aren’t we all?

The Request

Choose me as your companion

Despite tomorrow’s misplaced promise.

Regret, a hollow mistress,

Unfilled future’s fatal friend.

An ugly void siphoning life

Faster than it can be lived.

Snatch now with me,

In one sustained gulp,

Guzzle down

And let’s run off

In each new dawn,

Eternity condensed,

For thick living now,

This gusto version,

Of yesterday’s tomorrow,

Grabbed today.

When My Knight in Shining Armor Needs Rescue

What ills besiege his gentle being?

Buried by burden so great,

He turns to snooze,

Bed the grave,

Sunshine the shroud,

Escape to temporary death.

Over and again

I stand at bedside,

Graveside!

Confused mourner,

Grieving for this breathing corpse,

Watching wakeful, willful withdrawal,

Decrease to disappointing downfall,

Determined decree,

Depression’s dastardly demise,

Conflict without contact,

Waged with words,

Or none,

Misery the momentary mute,

Of master melancholy mask,

Damsel bride bruised blow by blow,

Snore by snore,

Untouched wife to widow weak,

Heaven’s promised helper helpless.

This battle is his own,

When my knight in shining armor needs rescue,

In my head while he sleeps.

Finally Figures

Face fear,

Frightening!

Find faith.

Fantastic foil!

Far-fetched!

Fundamental fuel,

Flows free,

Fact-found follower

Flies filled,

Fearless fool,

Fresh firewood,

Father’s fire.

Finally figures!

Wondering Why

More suffering descends,

the straight-jacket sentence,

on broken being

sure that punishment

is due for something.

Amidst a lifetime of physical pain,

The crooked body bends

Beneath the burden

Pain...more pain!

On top of pain.

Creature cries confused.

Wondering why.

BLISS

Eterni-Tea

Eternity pours into empty souls,

When humble recognition

Of insignificance

Sits as comfortable as warm tea

On turmoil

And mortality mixes

As ordinary and expected as cream,

Steeped sacred,

Blessed brew’s blend.

Eterni-tea.

Which Way Is In?

When distance is depth vertical,

Expanse within, not visible

And time’s, blink of eye, horizontal,

Instant new dimension,

Where rules no longer apply.

Which way is in?

Out the In

Words to paper,

Boisterous brainy babble,

Given permanent voice,

Spoken with drying ink,

On fiber’s breath,

Hand, the mouth for

Cerebral chatter chews.

Chaos converted cursive.

Poets’ prattle,

Necessary spew,

To be taken in,

Finally swallowed,

Thoughts internalized,

Out the in.

Forgetting to Remember

When was it ok?

Forget, not in your vocabulary,

And remember not in mine.

We,

Left with each other,

Never to disregard,

Always to recollect.

Like it or not.

I don’t recall the moment

That we moved

To understanding

And finally embrace.

Was it how you taught me?

New depths of my being,

Soul deep.

Into me.

Where I had never been before.

Was it that you provided a new point of view?

Totally foreign,

Alien and mystical,

Unpredictable.

Or was it the edge when you were present?

Just on the border of panic.

Me, fully aware of living.

Frantic of dying.

Could it have been the unknown?

Gutsy go ahead

Into uncharted territory.

The quintessential quest.

Was it your cerebral challenge?

Ultimate mind game

Where rules appeared

The more the game was played.

Or perhaps it was the link,

To spirit,

Then to Spirit,

To elusive level where

Mind and body is useless.

I don’t recall the moment

When I accepted you,

In this peculiar relationship,

With its jolting introduction,

Bizarre, roller-coaster affair,

When did it happen?

Being with fear

And forgetting to remember

To be afraid.

Seasonal Affair

Fall’s first breath felt,

Crisp, cool,

Kiss caught,

Cheek chilled,

Neck nuzzled,

Unmistakable change,

From suffocating slurp,

Summer’s wet smooch.

To brusque, bold,

Fall.

Finally Fall.

One to the next,

Departure done,

Delightfully distinct,

Delicious,

Deliberately delivered

Senses alive to

Nature’s “nandies”,

Arriving on lease,

Then to now,

Nature’s WOW,

Four fleeting fancies,

Aficionado awesomely aware,

Of next seasonal affair.

Serious Seduction

Descending highland path,

Waist-high, tassel-top grass

Finds its way to bare thighs,

Cargo shorts no match

For flowing fields of fingers.

Vast variegated vegetation

Physically overwhelms,

Engulfs human form,

In powerful passion.

Soul stirred breathless,

Caught in the embrace,

Unexpected pleasure,

Succumbs completely to

The fervor of the field,

Nature’s scenery excitement,

Infatuation,

Turned serious seduction.

Peace and Quiet Concerto at Little Pond Lane

Whoosshh....,

Autumn winds stir,

Whoossshhh...,

Clack, clack, clack,

Clackle, clackle, clackle,

Cheap, cheap,

Leaves dance across the blacktop stage,

Pushed in hesitant jerks,

Unwilling to join those

in the field,

at the mercy

of the elements.

Chink, chink, chink, chink.

Windchime caught in the draft

Adds to the opus

Tinkle, tink, tinkle, tink,

Tink, tink, tink,

Dong, dong, dong, dong,

Four strikes in the afternoon ensemble.

Woof, woof,

Deep base keeps company.

Woosh, woosh, woosh

Fragile implements return in crescendo

Chi, chi, chi, chi,

Chinch, chinch, chinch,

Softly then,

Clattle, clap, clattle, clap,

Meow, meow, meow, meow,

The melody continues.

Whirl, chink, chink, chink,

Tinkle, tink, tinkle, tink,

Tink, tink, tink,

Tink.

Stars and stripes whipped into frenzy

By the autumnal conductor,

Flap, Fllapp, Flllappp,

Enters in unison with

Bezz, bezz, bezz,

Yellowjackets in full dress,

Bobbing among the audience of red geraniums

engaged in the sonata.

Whewwwwwwww,

Then again,

Whewwwwwwww,

Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack,

Chit, chit, chit,

Autumnal masterpiece,

Played for me,

Peace and quiet concerto.

At Little Pond Lane.

Bring On the Bliss

When at last

At Heaven’s gate

Regret’s final tally comes,

“I wish I had more suffering,

Surely won’t be one,

More pain...,

More tears...,

Less love and fewer friends...

Hard times I sure will miss.”

SIGH...

Bring on the bliss.