haiku

Mama Cardinal

stares at me from her bower

with a baleful eye.

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [appellation]

“You are a ghost by definition. You’re dead and still on Earth, but if you want to aspire to the appellation of apparition, you’ve got to get out there and DO something. You’ve got to frighten somebody! Otherwise, what are you? An intermittent, unexplained cold spot or at best a funny trick of the light easily explained away. What kind of existence is that?”

haiku (for Jay and his mom's 20+ year-old prayer plant)

The prayer plant that has

watched over your sons as long

as you have, prays still.

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [bon vivant]

Years of working and eating my lunch in a prison has somewhat dulled my nature as a bon vivant, but a really good, creamy cheese can still send me into transports of delight. I think that’s one of the reasons that I enjoy packing things like brie and boursin for my lunch. Not only is it incongruous, but far more palatable than any of the inmate-created fare provided in the cafeteria

Fibonacci Poem

One

bark

from mom

and fuzzy

goslings gather like

dandelion seeds in reverse.

Photo by: Osquer

haiku (for Jay) [Happy Prom, Luke and Kelly!]

You'll find the fairest

flowers in the garden are

the ones you helped raise.

Photo by: Osquer

55 Fiction Friday

“Her Grace passed three years ago. She was thrown from her horse while riding with His Grace.” Andrews’ voice was devoid of emotion, a sure sign that he was overcome with feeling. “Her Grace’s kind nature was evident in her final words. She said, ‘Don’t shoot Excalibur. It wasn’t his fault.’”

“Excalibur?”

“Her horse, m’lady.”

[FIRST] [PREVIOUS] (to be continued...)

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [broke]

“Um…Sir, I think I broke your…um…thing…” The shiny, silvery machine which had previously been whirling and sparking and smoking and clanking and clanging and ringing and rocking was now silent and still.

He stared at it, dumbstruck, for a long moment before breaking into an unexpected grin. “No! You’ve fixed it! The on/of switch has been stuck in the on position for the longest time!”

haiku

I should mow blossoms

so fresh chives will grow, but I

just don’t have the heart.

Photos by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [polymath]

"I'm no polymath, but I do know more about the world that you do."

"Does that mean you can't speak parrot? 'Cause I thougt parrots could speak English and..."

"What?!?"

"You know like Harry Potter is a Parselmouth, so he can talk to snakes. I thought a Pollymouth would be able to talk to parrots..."

"Case in point."

haiku

Wall becomes more than

support, a canvas for art

and trellis for life.

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [nation]

As a nation I don't think much of our people. I mean, look who they elected twice (well, the second time anyway and that's worse than electing him once, but I digress). As individuals, though I am often amazed at how kind people can be to total strangers. I think we really like to take care of each other.

haiku

When my body is

trapped in the office, my soul

is in the garden.

Photo by: Osquer

No, seriously, my garden is the desktop background on my computer at work.

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [envy]

I envy those who can just let go of the past. I can't seem to keep from replaying every mistake in my head, realizing over and over how I could have done better, constantly second guessing myself. If only I could accept my mistakes. If only I could forgive myself the wrongs that others have already forgotten.

haiku

Nature puts on her

favorite corsage. She wants

to look good for Prom.

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [Venus]

"I'm your Venus! I'm your fire!" She was dancing in front of the full length bedroom mirror. The humidity had brought out the sweat on her back and he watched a trickle roll down into the waistband of her denim shorts.

"That you are!" He agreed stepping into the room and turning up the volume on the CD player before joining her dance with far less grace but more than equal enthusiasm.

haiku (for Jay)

You were generous

with your scattering and you

used hardy grass seed.

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [generate]

“Well, this isn’t working, I grumbled, throwing down my screwdriver in dejection. “I can’t get any power out of this thing. All I can get it to generate is noise and smoke and I don’t see how that can help us.”

“Noise and smoke?…noise and smoke! That’s it. We’ll use the generator as a diversion while I sneak in and reroute some of the power grid to our sector! Come on!”

haiku

I turn my face to

the sun and closing my eyes

I smile at its warmth

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [window]

I felt like one of the kids in The Cat In The Hat. It was too rainy to go out and play in my hanging garden. All I could do was stare out the window at the little plants I’d been babying. At least I wouldn’t need to worry about watering them this afternoon. Nature was doing a great job of that for me.

haiku (for Mom)

If plants have feelings,

these little peas are growing

more nervous each day.

Photo by: Osquer

55 Fiction Friday

Andrews thought hard about the difference between loyalty to his employer and what was right. He made a decision. “I will endeavor to assist you in any way I can, your ladyship if for no other reason than it is what Her Grace, your mother, may she rest in peace, would have asked of me.”

[FIRST] [PREVIOUS] (to be continued...)

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [bombast]

When I asked you for help, I wasn’t looking for some sort of bombast on why men are superior to women at mechanics. I know perfectly well how to fix the lawnmower. I just couldn’t turn that bolt. It was your hand strength I needed. I wanted your brawn not your brains.

haiku

Variegated Basil - Ocimum xcitriodorum

Basil’s tender new

leaves tempt me, but I’ll harvest

the oldest ones first.

Sweet Basil - Ocimum basilicum
Photos by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [thirteen]

I lined up the thirteen tomato plants in the garden. I had bought a flat of twelve, but one of the cells had contained two tiny plants which I had successfully separated. Some would consider having thirteen plants unwise, but it didn't really bother me. Still, I might just have to buy another tomato plant anyway and name it Bilbo for luck.

haiku (Spiderwort - Tradescantia)

Pale eyes wink at me,

“If we’re pretty enough (we

hope) you won’t mow us.”

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [gorgeous]

Photo by: Osquer - May 15, 2007

Yesterday was just gorgeous. I had the day off for primary election day. I never understood why we get primary election day off but not election day, but I wasn't about to argue with a lovely day like this one free! I spent the whole day gardening and baking. Today dawned gray and wet, so I didn't mind so much going back to work.

Fibonacci Poem

I

watch

over

the tiny

morning glory shoots

but I don’t think I need worry.

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [carbohydrates]

I needed some carbohydrates, that was certain. I'd had nothing but an Ensure for breakfast and I'd been subsisting on Diet-Pepsi ever since. I'd been far too focused on getting the gardening done before the sun got too high. Now I needed a break...and some muffins.

haiku (for a stranger waiting at a bus stop)

at a red light,

a stranger and I watch a

butterfly together

haiku

Though I crave summer’s

vegetables, I would cling to

springs tender splendor.

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [nibble]

Photo by: Osquer - May 13, 2007

I watched, delighted, as Mom nibbled the first radish of the season. It was a little undersized, though it was the biggest one yet in the garden, but Mom had said that according to the seed packet when she planted them they would be ready for her birthday. So, Dad searched the radish bed for a worthy Birthday Radish for her.

haiku

Late for work, I still

find time to wonder what that

crow just flew off with.

haiku

An idea for

those with limited space to

garden and grown kids...

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [doctor]

"Doctor, doctor give me the news. I got a bad case of..." I wasn't sure where the music was coming from, but it was so infectiously cheerful after my inhibited day at work that I quickly followed it to its source and happily joined the children dancing in the venting fire hydrant in the street. Their boom-box made it like a festival.

haiku (for Jay, Tally the dog and Pendragon the parrot)

That you'd think to bring

me Mother's Day flowers from

my pets...I can't speak!

Photo by: Osquer
Early Mother's Day flowers by: Jay and my "Kids"

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [nonpareil]

I remember as a child that my maternal grandmother loved nonpareils. They are thin disks of chocolate with tiny white sugar beads coating the curved side. Yum yum! As I kid I strove to find my grandmother nonpareil nonpareils. We enjoyed them together on more than one occasion.

haiku

Dandelions, white

with contagion, prayers are heard,

"Not in my backyard!"

Photos by: Osquer

55 Fiction Friday

“What I’m looking for, Mr. Andrews, is information. I have no wish to put you in an uncomfortable position, but I know nothing about my father’s household and the situation I’ve placed myself into. If I'm to have any hope discovering what happened to me as a baby, I must learn all that I can.”

[FIRST] [PREVIOUS] (to be continued...)

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [is]

“What is wrong with you?”

“No! Not what IS wrong with me; what WAS wrong with me?! There’s nothing wrong with me anymore!” And with that he took another whirl around the room.

What I had taken for drunken stumbling was actually a joyful if unskilled jig. It was such an unlikely concept that it hadn’t occurred to me that he was merely expressing happiness.

haiku (for Jay)

Hold a buttercup

beneath my chin and see how

I will shine for you!

Photo by: Osquer

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [anniversary]

As the anniversary of last year's first tomato all too slowly approaches, I find myself electronically thumbing through last year's garden and harvest photos to inspire myself with patience. Each day I scrutinize the tiny plants for any sign of growth. Poor little things, I must be making them very nervous. I'll bet I look like Snoopy doing his vulture impression.

haiku (for Dad)

Thirty years ago

You were my age. I was six.

We still plant gardens.

Photo by: Osquer
Gardens by Osquer and Osquer's Dad

www.oneword.com - one word, so little time [exit]

I was so busy looking for the exit that I bumped right into the tall dark stranger I'd glimpsed earlier.

"Pardon me!" he bowed over my hand but did not kiss it, "I do hope you will allow me to make this little incident up to you."

His accent was hard to place at first. Not german, not Dutch...he was South African...

haiku

once brown hills swell green

as lungs inhale fresh spring air

I can smell cut grass

Photo by: Osquer