Two spiny lizards
chase across the stucco wall
enjoying their spring


     Today's poem is a haiku.  I like to think that even when I can't think what to write, I can come up with a haiku.  I was really busy yesterday, I went to the gym; I did my morning walk, I went to the dentist.  I should have been thinking poetry all that time, but I was worried about other things, so this is what you get today.  I actually like this haiku a lot.  I like the way the last line has more than one meaning.  A desert spiny lizard is a big one, about 10 inches long.  I watched this couple from my shower this morning.
   Your challenge for today is to write your own poem about an indication you have that it is springtime.

   My copy of LIFTING THE SKY, Southwestern Haiku and Haiga came in the mail this week with four of my haiku published by Dos Gatos Press .

haiku

two Gambel's Quail bob

feathered heads on the fence rail

saunter toward spring

     I recently had four haiku accepted by Dos Gatos Press for their new anthology, LIFTING THE SKY: Southwest Haiku and Haiga, so I've been thinking  about haiku recently.  It is a lovely little poem that captures a moment in nature.  Traditionally in the US we teach school children that there are 5 syllables in the first and last line and 7 in the middle, making a 17 syllable poem.

    I've been listening and watching our birds this week.  They are all singing quite loudly looking for another bird to share their nest.  The quail have been the noisiest.  In Tucson we have Gambel's quail--lots of them.  They are very similar to California quail, but they don't share the habitat.  If you'd like to know more about this interesting bird, to see a video and hear the bird's call, go here.

    Your poetry challenge for today is to write a haiku about something from nature you see today.  You are welcome to leave your haiku in the comments.  I'd love to read them.  Have a fun day observing.