Nanowrimo, Haiku & a Fractal

mottled hands
veins pushing thin skin
crone's reward

Previously published in Erratica II


Today marks halfway +2 in Nanowrimo and I'm making word progress. This year I won't, unless something shifts, have a novel. My character turned frenetic, leaped into three more plots than she can handle. She may have been influenced by my unease and I may not be able to tie the loose strings into one knot. But there's halfway -2 days to go. Anything can happen.

The windstorm last week put me on the road for a day while I searched for hangouts warm and lighted after the electric and phone disappeared from my place. The neighbor reported fireballs and thoughts of life in a war-torn area took up residence in my head to create a short story, submitted on Wednesday.

Farewell, Joan

Farewell to my writing friend, Joan. She passed away Sunday, leaving a huge empty spot in the world.

Joan, another lady and I were collaborating on a murder mystery. We will try to complete the novel to share with Joan's family and other friends. It won't be easy.

We miss you, Joan!

Once in November

Retrograde Mercury
across the sun
triggers an Ichabod night

my trousers cuff at curling leaves
churned by corkscrew winds
pines try their taproots

a brave star dots the lonely dark
retreats behind boiling wings
sweeping black the sky.


November Fractal created by Sue in Apophysis

Wind Sown

Wind with no name
climbs out of the settling sun
chases blood red smoke
of burning scrub pine,

boils against a sculpted mesa
beyond fallow upturned fields
rubs against sandstone shadows
darkened by the midnight frame.

Pushing against pallid traces
it obscures obstructions
carries ash wrapped seed forward
plants an unstained day.


Flower of Spider, digital photo