We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)

24.2.22

NaHaiWriMo 2022, week 3


Buenos Aires


fair winds

bring all the world here

to flourish


15/2/22



Beijing


headlong

down my TV screen –

Winter Olympics


16/2/22




Melbourne






















decades of change –

but I’ll still meet you

under the clocks


I lived there for over 30 years, and although I’ve now 

lived elsewhere for 28, I’ve visited quite often to catch 

up with family and old friends.


this year I’ll miss

the family reunion –

travel got too hard


17/2/22



New York


young lovers

in Central Park –

timeless 


18/2/22


















Photo by my late husband Andrew Wade.



Rome


so many tales,

photos, movies, songs – as if

I’d really been


19/2/22



Vancouver


arty, green, diverse, 

and very liveable – but

I hate the cold


20/2/22



Auckland



(1)


just next door

across the ditch – yet

I’ve never been



(2)


my brother’s home

for decades now, but 

never mine



(3)


please, NZ,

please clone and send us

Jacinda!



21/2/22



Sharing with Poets and Storytellers United via Friday Writings #17 (off prompt).



27 comments:

  1. This whole series was interesting- places evoke so many memories, emotions... perceptions.. especially love the one on Rome. Would love to try these prompts one day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Writing them was an interesting exercise, too. Some did not evoke much until I Googled them and learnt such things as that 'buenos aires' means 'fair winds'.

      Delete
  2. Thanks for the globetrot, Rosemary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome! I'm doing it all from my (not armchair but) desk these days.

      Delete
  3. What a travelogue! I think you've invented postcard poetry.

    ReplyDelete
  4. as if

    I’d really been

    how much can so little say! Loved the brother one also

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! It was indeed my hope to convey much in so few words.

      Delete
  5. Thanks for taking us out and about, Rosemary!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My pleasure! I had to take myself first (smile).

      Delete
  6. I think that my Piano Man are going to echo your New York haiku--the weather will soon be perfect for it.

    The Vancouver one made me giggle (with frosty knowledge).

    I really love these glimpses, Rosemary. They would make a wonderful travel journal, especially if some prose is added to the mix.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's a nice idea – except that many of these, written to prompts, are places I have not travelled to. Such as New York (which Andrew visited long before I knew him) and Vancouver. Google has been a help. However, there are cities I love which were not among the prompts, so maybe I could write a Basho-style travel haibun series, substituting some of the places I have been for those I haven't. Thanks for the suggestion!

      Delete
  7. How delightful! NZ is my favorite, cause I've been there and know how amazing the people and scenery are. Buenos Aires next ..... the old photo, sigh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I envy you your first-hand knowledge of NZ. Always meant to get there, but have left it a bit late now.

      Delete
  8. I've learned to appreciate the cold, but it doesn't come naturally to me. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was brought up in a comparatively cold place, but it still didn't come naturally to me!

      Delete
  9. A lovely impressionistic romp across the globe. I had to laugh at your love/hate relationship with Vancouver. In the end, the cold wins out over your desire for diversity in a green and livable place.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have never in fact romped as far as Vancouver; only going by what Google tells me. But I would always choose a warm place over other attractions.

      Delete
    2. Some really nice responses. In Feb i went the way of photo haiku using photos from tge internet those city prompts were for me very challenging, this month is more of a normal set of prompts.

      Much love

      Delete
    3. Gillena, I found those prompts challenging too. What a great idea, to use photos!

      I only do NaHai in February – when the prompts are challenging (sometimes ridiculously so) every year. Otherwise I prefer haiku that arise out of my life and surroundings, or at least memories. But it's good to let oneself be challenged now and then, I think.

      Delete
  10. The perfect cure for longstanding isolation. We are taking our first international trip since Covid in April. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've traveled very little outside the US. But, I make up for it with reading, a second best. I do love reading your travelogue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Debi; glad it has brought you enjoyment.

      Delete
  12. Loved reading about places I have not been.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I haven't either (grin) – except for Melbourne.

      Delete

DON'T PANIC IF YOUR COMMENTS DON'T POST IMMEDIATELY. They are awaiting moderation. Please allow for possible time difference; I am in Australia. ALSO, IF YOU ARE FORCED TO COMMENT ANONYMOUSLY – do add your name at the end, so I know it's you!