Spring's Arrival

3/12/2024

Hello, blog friends.

This past weekend I attended a conference in Sedona that focused on the gift of life. Anita Moorjani's workshop was particularly heart-filling. I felt at home and that is a rare experience for many of us. The event was tucked away in the red rocks of that area - where the change of seasons was everywhere present and invigorating.

This week Colleen Chesebro invites interested poets to focus once more on spring's arrival. I thought about my weekend experience, but yesterday changed my plans. Two roadrunners snuck into our yard and ran around preparing their nest. Last year they laid their eggs under a pile of leaves. The photo below is not mine, but there's much that is similar. I hope you enjoy my two tankas, and I'd love to hear about your spring experience as well.

Have a wonderful week, dear friends. 🌞

41 Comments

Mae Clair link

3/12/2024 12:50:24

What a wonderful poem, Gwen. And you are so lucky. I realize the photo isn't yours, but to think you DO get to see such creatures in your yard makes me smile. I have never seen a roadrunner! And I loved the way you described them in your poem.

Gwen M. Plano

3/12/2024 16:11:15

Thank you so much, Mae. They are funny birds and always evoke smiles. The way they move and their hoots/clacking sounds are funny to watch/hear. 😊

Jacquie Biggar link

3/12/2024 15:45:10

The Roadrunners are so cool! I'd love to visit the Sedona area one year. All of God's creatures rejoice in spring, don't they? :)

Gwen M. Plano

3/12/2024 16:12:49

They sure do, Jacquie. And there' a lot of rejoicing these days. 😊

willowdot21 link

3/12/2024 17:20:00

I love your poem Gwen it's just perfect and like everyone else I love those roadrunners 🍀🍀💜💜

Gwen M. Plano

3/12/2024 20:02:33

Thanks so much, Willow. When I went out for an evening walk, I encountered another roadrunner. They are such funny creatures and always make me smile. ❤️

Pat Garcia link

3/13/2024 05:17:40

Hi,
I so love your first poem. My soul yearns for spring and the brightness that it brings in my life. The days where struggles evolved into triumphs because hope has been renewed.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Shalom shalom

Gwen M. Plano

3/13/2024 07:23:50

Thanks so much, Pat. I'm pleased you liked it. ❤️

Priscilla Bettis link

3/13/2024 05:39:44

I enjoyed your tankas, Gwen. Roadrunners are cool. We have them around here, too (western Cross Timbers, Tx). Yesterday, however, four wild turkeys raced across our yard. They are big and FAST!

Gwen M. Pllano

3/13/2024 07:27:18

One of my sisters lives in Sacramento. There are turkeys running around her neighborhood. Crazy, right? Thank you, Priscilla, for the smiles. 😊

John Howell link

3/13/2024 06:11:03

A wonderful experience that not all of us get to experience. Your poem took care of that. I can just see these guys building their hiding place.

Gwen M. Plano

3/13/2024 07:28:27

They are funny birds but they've become a favorite of mine. Thanks so much, John. 😊

Tim Dittmer link

3/13/2024 06:25:24

Beautiful, Gwen! Roadrunners sure run around a lot.

Gwen M. Plano

3/13/2024 07:31:16

Thanks, Tim. When I was a kid (living in Southern CA), I'd see them run across the road. I didn't think of them as beautiful, but I do now. 😊

Jan Sikes

3/13/2024 09:22:35

I love both of these tankas, Gwen. And the photo is perfect! I love roadrunners. Thank you for sharing!

Gwen M. Plano

3/13/2024 16:49:32

Thank you, Jan. Like you, I love the little creatures. They always amuse me. 😊

Marsha link

3/13/2024 10:48:15

Hi Gwen, Glad you enjoyed your conference in Sedona. What a lovely setting for a conference. I love your poem, and look for the little friends coming to our area. I haven't seen one yet. :)

Gwen M. Plano

3/13/2024 16:51:00

There are frequent visitors in this area off Arizona, and I love them. Thank you, Marsha. 😊

Dan Antion link

3/13/2024 11:31:27

This is lovely, Gwen. I love the way nature rebounds each year in spring.

Gwen M. Plano

3/13/2024 16:51:48

Thank you, Dan. It's amazing how nature rebounds - and us with it. 😊

Annette Rochelle Aben

3/13/2024 11:39:15

More than worthy of a second read, generating smiles of the heart each time!

Gwen M. Plano

3/13/2024 16:52:24

Thanks so much, Annette. 🤗

Pete Springer link

3/13/2024 12:01:37

Delightful poems, Gwen. I've never seen a roadrunner in nature, (Cartoons don't count, John Howell), 🤣 but we're hoping to make a New Mexico/Arizona trip in the next year.

Gwen M. Plano

3/13/2024 16:53:38

Thank you, Pete. I'm pleased you enjoyed them and urge you to plan that trip. There's much to see in this beautiful state. 😊

Dale Rogerson link

3/13/2024 12:35:19

How wonderful to be able to witness these two little birds running around. Wonderful poem, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

3/13/2024 16:55:42

Thank you, Dale. I enjoy chatting to the roadrunners. They fascinate me, and I suspect that I amuse them. 😊

Liz Gauffreau link

3/13/2024 17:32:27

I particularly like your second tanka. I'm still getting used to the fact that roadrunners are real birds, not made-up cartoon characters!

Gwen M. Plano

3/13/2024 21:46:20

LOL. They're a little like the cartoon characters, Liz, but with more personality. I love them. 😊

Smitha link

3/14/2024 09:52:05

Hi Gwen, I love the line 'Nature yawns awake'. Anita Moorjani's workshop sounds wonderful. I was given her book, 'Dying to be me', by a colleague who had cancer, as a farewell gift when I left banking in 2018. I wrote a poem on it last NaPoWriMo. It's a story that stays with you. Your post brought back memories.

Gwen M. Plano

3/15/2024 11:53:34

She's a beautiful person and I'm very grateful to have met her in person. I loved her book, Dying To Be Me, and when I was diagnosed it helped me (and continues to help me) make positive changes in my life. ❤️

Kerfe

3/14/2024 10:16:08

My father loved roadrunners, but I don't remember any nesting in my parents' yard. Of course it was just stones, so that may have been why. (they lived in Sun City). What a treat for you! (K)

Gwen M. Plano

3/15/2024 11:55:30

They are a special bird and always make me smile. It is a treat to be around them, Kerfe. Thank you. 😊

Selma

3/15/2024 09:50:02

Roadrunners. So those birds are real! I’ve never seen one except on TV a few times (I soon knew I didn’t like their beep beep in cartoons)
The photo shows how they’re beautiful birds. How lovely. How lucky they chose your yard. So happy to know.
Your weekend event is heart filling. Wow. And your poetry gorgeous. Thanks for sharing Gwen. Xo. Selma

Gwen M. Plano

3/15/2024 11:56:52

Thanks so much, Selma. It was a heart filling weekend for sure. ❤️

Yvette M Calleiro link

3/15/2024 19:36:58

Both poems are great, Gwen! I remember when we lived in Panama, we had all sorts of critters walking through our backyard. I'm sure you get great entertainment from your visitors.

Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

Mark Bierman link

3/16/2024 14:04:02

Excellent poetry, Gwen! I've never seen a Road Runner in real life, so thank you for sharing your experience.

Jules link

3/16/2024 14:14:49

I don't have road runners... but the chickadees have been investgating last years bird houses. I was able to clean out two. I couldn't empty the gourd... and I've also got a brand new forth one. That may take a while since it is new?

I did get to see the Great blue heron fly the creek route. I think they might nest by our local library pond - I've seen a baby brown heron over there a few years ago.

I think some Cardinals are building in my pines... especially the scrub pines :)

ben Alexander link

3/19/2024 08:50:57

these are such delightful verses, Gwen - you had me hooked with your first line - I love it, truly!

~David

Colleen Chesebro link

3/19/2024 09:39:59

Gwen, I'm so sorry it took me so long to comment. We had doctor's appointments last week, and I just couldn't get caught up. I remember seeing the roadrunners on my many walks in Prescott Valley. They are so quick! You captured the magic of spring!

Robbie Cheadle

3/20/2024 09:09:07

Hi Gwen, a lovely poem. The flowers and birds during spring are always amazing.

Melissa Lemay link

3/22/2024 17:48:12

These are lovely. I especially like the line “nature yawns awake”.

Spring's Arrival

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