Happy News

I've just received a mail telling me that one of my poems will soon be featured on 4and20poetry and that totally made my day!

So, to accompany this happy, happy news, I'll just post the poem they featured in April for their double issue:

Spring Emotion

The spirits of spring returned
Dancing madly, singing the nature.
On butterfly wings was burned
The scent of our future.

And since my schedule starts getting closer to normal, here's a haiku written today, for a great challenge:

Carpe Diem #231 Nagoshi (half year's end festival)

summer festival - 

in her grand-children's giggles,

her eyes spark with love

Also, here's one other cover that will go up on Amazon later this week.

Have a great day! Mine is excellent already!

Kites and Dreams

Carpe Diem 

March 28th - kite

all children clapping

waiting for favorable wind -

I release the ropes

NaHaiWriMo

March 28th - sleep

 no sleep without dreams...
while late March snow is falling
I dream without sleep

Picnic?

Carpe Diem

March 22nd prompt - #151, haru Fakashi (deep spring)

deep spring green mirrored 

in deep waters' clear surface -

perfect picnic time

NaHaiWriMo

March 22nd prompt - scale

in March afternoon,

the happiness of children

no scale can measure

Weekend is here! Have a good, relaxing time and enjoy this still shy sun of spring!

A to Z Challenge , Theme Big Reveal

It's time for The Big Reveal Bloghop hosted by Mina Lobo and David Macaulay. This bloghop is for those who entered the A To Z challenge for April - which is almost here - and it means sharing the Theme for the April A To Z Challenge. So...

 

So... here it comes: I'm going to use haibun (a classical Japanese writing form that combines text, haiku, tanka and sometimes photos) to write about a familiar place: my home town - Scornicesti, Romania. 

What's special about it? Well, the only thing remarcable about Scornicesti is the fact that Nicolae Ceausescu, Romania's dictator was born here.

This means I'm going to share photos, poems inspired by places and events that took place in Scornicesti or are related to it, also including my thoughts about the past ande present. I will also incorporate historical facts, geographic info, travel details and more.

Why did I chose this theme, you might ask. I did it because I wanted to improve the view on Scornicesti, which is unfairly presented as the gate of hell. I also think some people would like to see a great deal of pictures of Scornicesti, the hometown of Nicolae Ceausescu. It isn't a big city - actually, it barely is a city - but it has some ups, too.

The haibun was the best choice in what concerns the writing style because it allows me to switch freely between haiku, tanka, descriptive text, thoughts and pictures.

My tags for April A to Z will be:
Scornicesti, Romania, Ceausescu, Nicolae Ceausescu, history, travel, geography, photo, haibun, haiku, haiga, tanka, challence, A to Z challenge.

 

I must admit, I don't know and I'm curious how well known Scornicesti is outside Romania. feel free to tell me what and if you know about Romania, Scornicesti and Ceausescu.

PS: In April I'm also doing Haiku Heights April challenge which is designed for Ato Z Challenge, so I'll also be adding the haiku written for it in the same post.

Now that the reveal is over, my haiku for today:

Carpe Diem

March 21st, the first day of spring

Earth bowing to Sun,

same old passage ritual -

Moon and Sun - eguals.

NaHaaiWriMo

March 21st, learning, teaching

Buddha's teachings time,

ideas nurtured and grown -

shrine changed for a grove

 Have a beautiful spring!

Equinox and weeds

Carpe Diem

March 20th prompt - Tsukushi (horsetail)

in my front garden

horsetail - survival lesson 

today, as always

NaHaiWriMo

March 20th prompt - first day of spring

day and night kissing 

with the same intensity

while winter says ”bye”

swarm of violets

pondering the day and night -

spring equinox time

Sensational Haiku Wednesday
March 20th prompt - Continuity

season changing rite,
winter says "bye" spring says "hi" -
continuity

Writer's Digest
March 20th prompt - walk

under the spring moon,
re-arranging my stray thoughts
while taking a walk
. 

Cherry trees and sounds

Carpe Diem

March, 17th prompt - Hatsu Hana (first cherry blossom)

when kissed by spring sun,

dreaming its first white blossoms,

greening cherry tree

NaHaiWriMo

March 17th prompt - sound

spring sounds lost and found:

begging for their blossoms crown

cherry trees weeping

Swallows and Storms

Carpe Diem

 March 16th, #146 - Tsubame (swallows)

above my window

a spring melodic chirping:

swallows' nest full again

NaHaiWriMo

 March 16th - storm

fighting a March storm,

almost covering the skies,

the returning birds

Haiku Heights

 March 16th - cacophony

worst cacophony:

in spring, while rain is falling,

sounds of broken hearts.

Nirvana

Carpe Diem

March 15th prompt, #145 Nehane (Nirvana Ceremony, Buddha's Nirvana Anniversary)

through nature watching

in spring morning: Buddha's way:

self-discovery 

not questioning truth

surrendered by spring pure light

path to Buddha's shrine

near Buddha's temple

in spring light: blossoming trees:

Zen and poetry

NaHaiWriMo

March 15th prompt - paper

paper-thin spring shrine

in mid-March sunlight and breeze -

the first verdant tree

From the ashes

The serene spring

is rising from the ashes of last year

with shy steps

and growing strenght

from the awaking earth.

The small grasses 

in caressing breeze,

buds and blossoms 

in verdant trees

are now lighting my heart.

Have a nice weekend!

Tuesday mix

Carpe Diem

Onitsura inspired special #26 - camellia

mizu irete hachi ni uketaru tsubaki kana

putting in the water

the vase received

the camellia 

My haiku:

red camellia,
strong positive vibes from it -
good luck charm in spring

white camellia,
like her silky skin in youth
slowly withering

NaHaiWriMo

March 12th prompt -to be added later

where do butterflies
come from? and how do they fly?
my spring mysteries

this spring mystery:
colors turned into music
on the sunset sky

Should Be Reading

Today I'm also linking to Should Be Reading.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My current reading (actually re-reading) is Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. What can I say - I love the series!

My teaser:

He was creepy and dark and liked to set people on fire, true. On the other hand, he was smart and funny - in a twisted way - and somehow had a calming effect on Lissa.

I love these books because of the writing style, the funny approach on important teen topics. 

I've also joined Blog Blitz, a blog hop hosted by DL Hammons, a great initiative to help gain exposure as a new blogger. See the list below!

 

A busy day that has just started!

Serenity

Carpe Diem

March 11th prompt - #142, Urasaka (serene)

serene day outdoors:
the spring sun bathing in lake,
caressing new herbs


a puppy'slook
after stealing your shoe -
serene eyes

NaHaiWriMo

March 11th prompt - new moon

spring celebration:
dark sky awaiting for the
new moon in silver

new moon
drown in the sleeping lake
in cicadas' song

Weekend Mix

Haiku Heights

Prompt - origami

spring origami -

the mighty winds from the North,

folding trees at will

NaHaiWriMo

March 9th prompt - salt

sea waves washing tears -

the spring breeze creates ripples

in salted water

March 10th - erosion

witnessing time change,

mountains eaten by water,

shore swallowed by sea

Carpe Diem

March 9th prompt - Hamaguri (cherry stone clams)

I've actually never heard of something like that before, so I'll limit the prompt to what I know

in the morning dew,

no other strategy games,

hiding under shells

the rules of our game

always changing like spring winds -

strategy, no shells!

March 10th prompt - Kiji (Pheasan)

pheasant hunting night -

giving away the close prey,

a cry from a tree

I hope you all had a great weekend!

lines, grass and ponds

NaHaiWriMo

March 8th prompt - lines

everything in line,

receiving spring's gift: new life -

each second, well spent

Carpe Diem 

Imagination #3 - city park

beautiful Friday -

mirroring spring energy,

the pond shimmering

Carpe Diem

March 8 prompt, #139 - (Shitamoe) sprouting grasses and forbs

dancing in the wind,

a green carpet grown in spring -

first sprouts of new grass

These are my haiku for Friday. I'll catch up Sunday, after taking the weekend off. Have a beautiful, productive weekend! Enjoy these shy sunny days of spring!

Cats, Woodpeckers and Status

Writer's Digest 

#213 prompt - knock on wood

woodpecker searching
for remainings of last year,
making room for spring

Carpe Diem

#138 prompt - cats in love (Neko No Koi)

reincarnation?
close to a linden hollow,
two black cats playing

NaHaiWriMo

March 7th prompt - status

on butterfly wings
the spring searching its way back:
its status - here, now

wildlife and spring haze

NaHaiWriMo

March 6th prompt - wildlife

in the dim puddle,
after spring rain reflected
wild roses sprouting

Carpe Diem

Carpe Diem Special #25 Onitsura's Spring Haze

alluring the bees,
both my hair and my garden -
discreet jasmine scent

breakfast and thin ice

NaHaiWriMo

March 5th prompt - breakfast

two cups of hot tea
on the porch, touched by spring winds,
some honey and milk

Carpe Diem

March 5th, #213 - thin ice

lake's thin ice melting
the warming sun just rising
a phoenix in spring

Overcoming Adversity and more

Cover designed by D.R. Cartwright (DRC) from a concept by Ella Wilson

DRC: http://nhwcwritingexercises.blogspot.co.uk/

Ella: http://ellasedge.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Blurb:

A collection of seventy moving and uplifting original pieces - real life, flash fiction, and poetry - about battling against the odds and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit. The contributors include Amazon bestselling authors Alex J. Cavanaugh and Kyra Lennon, and the cream of upcoming talent.

The anthology is part of a fundraising effort to send the editor's stepson, Andrew McNaughton, to a specialist college in England. Andrew has cerebral palsy, and is a remarkable young man with a promising future. However, the free further education options offered in his own country of Scotland will not challenge him and allow him to progress. In order to access the education he deserves, Andrew will have to pay exorbitant fees, thus creating a situation of discrimination.

Help us get Andrew to college by buying a book that runs the full gamut of human emotions, ultimately leaving you inspired and glad to be alive. Whatever struggles you are going through, our sincere hope is that this book will help.

Purchase Links:

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Adversity-Anthology-Andrew-ebook/dp/B00BM62EZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362210101&sr=8-1

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Adversity-Anthology-Andrew-ebook/dp/B00BM62EZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362210134&sr=8-1&keywords=nick+wilford

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/290822

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17452314-overcoming-adversity

Editor Bio: Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a journalist, he now makes use of those rare times when the house is quiet to explore the realms of fiction. When not writing he can usually be found spending time with his family or cleaning something. He has four short stories published in Writer’s Muse magazine. Nick is also co-running a campaign to get a dedicated specialist college built in Scotland. Visit him at http://nickwilford.blogspot.co.uk/.

 

NaHaiWriMo

March 4th prompt - fire

southern winds bringing
a burning sun on the sky
once again in spring

Carpe Diem

March 4th, #212 prompt - first gust of spring

awaking the trees 
from their winter coma state,
just the southern wind

 

Overcoming Adversity, NaHaiWriMo, Haiku Heights, Carpe Diem - March Blend 3

Nick Wilford's anthology, Overcoming Adveristy, is online. Buy it to discover 70 inspired pieces of flash fiction and poetry from established and new authors, trying to help a sweet boy continue his education.

The anthology is part of a fundraising effort to send the editor's stepson, Andrew McNaughton, to a specialist college in England. Andrew has cerebral palsy, and is a remarkable young man with a promising future. However, the free further education options offered in his own country of Scotland will not challenge him and allow him to progress. In order to access the education he deserves, Andrew will have to pay exorbitant fees, thus creating a situation of discrimination.
Help us get Andrew to college by buying a book that runs the full gamut of human emotions, ultimately leaving you inspired and glad to be alive. Whatever struggles you are going through, our sincere hope is that this book will help.

Purchase Links:

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Overcoming-Adversity-Anthology-Andrew-ebook/dp/B00BM62EZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362210101&sr=8-1

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Overcoming-Adversity-Anthology-Andrew-ebook/dp/B00BM62EZA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362210134&sr=8-1&keywords=nick+wilford

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/290822

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17452314-overcoming-adversity

NaHaiWriMo

March 3rd prompt - pressure

urgent spring matters 

the pollination process

awaiting garden

Haiku Heights

#135 prompt - breeze

spring winds from the West

caressing the verdant fields -

I'm holding my breath

Carpe Diem

#211 prompt - HinaMatsuri (Doll Festival)

watching over March

grandma's collectable doll

wrapped in their old boxes

March Blend 2; NaHaiWriMo, Carpe Diem

NaHaiWriMo

March 2nd prompt - children book related

jumping and clapping
trying to catch the full moon
a child's play in spring

Carpe Diem

March 2nd prompt - Sae Kaeru (return of the cold)

without a warm coat 
through the awaken forest
once more, the frost bite

Not quite spring yet, unfortunately!

Have a great day, filled with inspiration and joy!

Carpe Diem - Butterflies; Writer,'s Digest - Descendence

I'll soon start to keep my haiku at different memes and challenges in the same post.


My haiku for Carpe Diem, a daily haiku. Today it's all about butterflies:

a stroll through the woods
in the winter cold and snow -
dreaming butterflies

For the Writer's Digest Poetic Asides Prompt nr. 212, a haiku sequence about descendence that I didn't post yet because they seem to have a problem.

Evolution

present becomes past:

sustained metamorphosis –

evolution key

Darwin's theory –

more than a controversy:

plain reality

humans admiring

some rare specimens at zoo:

chicken or egg first?

fossilized monkeys:

searching for the missing link,

some unknown species

February, NaHaiWriMo #27

The word today: garage

by the garage door,
the singing of cicadas
yields new spring decor