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Poetry Friday: An Egret Haiku

 How can it be the end of January already? Yet here we are, on another Poetry Friday, with February standing the wings, waiting to claim center stage.

In the midst of busy home and work schedules, I'm always grateful for our lunchtime walks that pull me away from the keyboard, and out into nature.

For the last year or so, we've been delighted by the periodic visits of an egret at the stream in the park. I love watching his slow, deliberate movements and the graceful glide of his flight. His patience and unhurried movements are a welcome reminder to me to slow down, and not let the busyness of life dictate the speed at which I move through my days.

So I'm pausing in this busy day to post a haiku, inspired by this beautiful bird.

Elegant egret,

Striding slowly in the stream

Fishing, disturbs ducks.

    ©Elisabeth Norton, 2022, All rights reserved


Our host today is Irene Latham over at Live Your Poem. Glide on over to check out all the poetic goodness that is waiting for you there. And next week the party is here! I'll have the post up on Thursday evening my time. I look forward to reading and enjoying all of your posts next week.

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  1. Carol VarsalonaJanuary 28, 2022 at 3:42 PM

    Elisabeth, your time with nature is well-spent. The egret prompted you to write such a lovely haiku. Would like to offer this poem for my Winter's Embrace Gallery? Find out more at my post.

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    1. ElisabethJanuary 30, 2022 at 4:45 PM

      Hi Carol - I agree! I can't imagine my days and weeks without these respites in nature to reset my tempo. Thanks for your comment!

      Delete
  2. Liz Garton ScanlonJanuary 28, 2022 at 7:31 PM

    Oh, just that first line alone is perfect -- thanks for this!

    ReplyDelete
  3. jamaJanuary 28, 2022 at 10:59 PM

    So lovely! I felt calmer and more peaceful reading your haiku. Thank you. :)

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    Replies
    1. ElisabethJanuary 30, 2022 at 4:46 PM

      Thanks Jama - glad I could share that peaceful moment with you.

      Delete
  4. jamaJanuary 28, 2022 at 11:06 PM

    So lovely! I feel calmer and more peaceful reading your haiku. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. KatApel - katswhiskers.wordpress.comJanuary 29, 2022 at 6:56 AM

    Ah - the elegant egret... I have been inspired by its cousin, 'that stalks as it walks, eating slugs and the bugs that the herd stirred.'

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    1. ElisabethJanuary 30, 2022 at 4:47 PM

      Thanks Kat! This is the first chance I've had to observe an egret so closely, and I'm so pleased every time we discover that he's visiting the park that day.

      Delete
  6. Linda MitchellJanuary 29, 2022 at 11:27 AM

    Thank you for bringing me into the moment with you in this haiku. What a lovely part of the day for you. I wish I could do that! I'll bet the ducks settle down fast after Egret has found a fish or two.

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    Replies
    1. ElisabethJanuary 30, 2022 at 4:48 PM

      You're welcome Linda! The ducks are quite entertaining - swimming off to yield space in the stream, wherever the egret wants to fish.

      Delete
  7. Mary LeeJanuary 29, 2022 at 3:10 PM

    Thank you for this snapshot. I love egrets!

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  8. Bridget MageeJanuary 29, 2022 at 8:13 PM

    Your elegant feathered friend (and your haiku!) reminds us to never 'egret' a walk in the park. :)

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  9. Author AmokJanuary 30, 2022 at 12:20 AM

    Thank you for this haiku, and the reminder that we can learn to slow down from nature's patient creatures.

    Elisabeth, you are the winner of my Rhyme & Rhythm anthology giveaway! Please email me at laurashovan at gmail.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ElisabethJanuary 30, 2022 at 4:52 PM

      You're welcome Laura - and I'm chuffed about the anthology! Thank you! I'll be in touch.

      Delete
  10. Irene LathamJanuary 30, 2022 at 3:13 AM

    O elegant egret! Beautiful. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Janice ScullyJanuary 31, 2022 at 11:17 PM

    I love the two "e" sounds alliterated in the first line. I adore these birds and feel so lucky when I see one.

    ReplyDelete

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