Spirit Tree
Early Winter
An early winter welcomes
with a burst of snow,
as we remember blizzards
of years gone by.
We may wish for
a white Christmas,
or not, maybe zero flakes
and open landscapes are preferred.
We have no bone
to pick with the season,
but hope to endure
what will arrive.
Lainie Senechal
Autumn Assemblage ll
Autumn Rain
Leaves tremble with each drop
as rain showers deepen.
Surf grows stronger
with the storm and rising tide.
Scent of marsh lingers
in moist atmosphere,
a hint of something
that is very old and endures.
Lainie Senechal
Spooky Moon
Harvest Moon
The full moon,
like a round white sheet,
floats through the heavens,
rich with purple clouds.
Who dances under the orb
at harvest time, where
the bounty is gathered
to secure sustenance
against the barren days?
Lainie Senechal
Autumn Assemblage
Autumn Begins
Cool, salty winds blow in
from distant shore.
Sweet, sultry, Southern air
departs with summer sun.
Shelter of green leaves
becomes quite sparse,
as colorful remnants
fly in blustery breezes.
We gaze at evening’s low clouds,
color of purple wine -
wait for the long nights
and melancholy autumn days.
Lainie Senechal
Announcement: Lainie’s paintings will be on display at Amesbury City Hall beginning September 30 through January in a group exhibit titled “Transitions”. The opening is Wednesday, October 2nd from 6-8 pm.
Pink Peonies
July’s Journey
July progresses, not quickly,
but with long, languid days
of hot, sweaty weather.
The pick of summer
for those that smile
at the sun’s strongest hours.
A smooth ride through a season
when the cornucopia opens
to provide juicy blueberries,
fresh dug new potatoes
and many ears of sweet corn.
Lainie Senechal
Tanabata Stars
Tanabata Stars*
Beyond the Summer Solstice,
on a calm evening, the stars
seem to blossom in the heavens,
accompanied by planets,
with their slowly turning moons,
and exploding supernovas
that surprise even the astronomers.
The lovely star, Vega, appears
with her bright partner, Altair,
forming two points
of the Summer Triangle
and spinning myths that
weave through the ages.
Lainie Senechal
Announcement: Lainie will exhibit paintings and read poetry on July 6th at the Tanabata Festival at the Kaji Aso Studio, Boston, MA, 7-9pm. Free and open to the public.
*Tanabata is a Japanese Festival based on a legend that includes the stars Vega and Altair.
Clearing Sky
Spring’s Return
Sun salutes the morning sky
after days of solemn rain and mist.
Lawns, meadows and fields
are deep green and soft.
A flow of flowers decorate
newly budding trees.
Chipping sparrow chants
a singular staccato trill
while the cardinal croons
a run of sweet notes.
Spring’s return is rich
with color and song.
Lainie Senechal
Pink Azaleas
Fretful Spring
Blue skies are absent –
continual rain and gloom
shuffles spring season,
encourages wayward weeds.
Pewter lake lies languid and still
but perky goldfinches,
with white wing bars
like taut guitar strings,
perch on feeder and voice
their “potato-chip” objections
with each disturbance.
Below, forsythia blossoms mirror
birds’ bright yellow breasts.
Lainie Senechal
Pansies
Spring Breezes
Again, with warming breezes
daffodil blossoms pop open.
Their yellow trumpets shake
in strong spring winds.
Weather is quite fretful,
a frustrating tease.
Soon all will settle
with time to spend
soaking in season’s sun.
Lainie Senechal
Yellow Tulips
Wild March Winds
The wild March winds
slam feeder against the staff.
Squirrels scuffle below
to savor falling seeds.
In a moment of melancholy
one remember springs, now past –
whose times are missed.
A break in the weather,
return of sun’s warmth,
brings a smile as one steps
into the new season.
Lainie Senechal