DELTA DREAM (photo) & THE TASTE OF FREEDOM (dream tanka series) by Roswila

THE TASTE OF FREEDOM

the still handsome but
aging celebrity
starts chatting her up
he judges her a beauty
and others quickly agree

but the bloom is off
the rose when he sees the ruins
of her legs and ankles
how ever could she let them
get that way, he condescends

and she, well she has
had enough of this – she gets up
in his haughty face:
every twisting vein, winding
like an old river, is a badge …

a medal of honor,
a tribute to the endless
battle to survive,
she proclaims, a scar she wears
without regret or shame

spinning above their
gape-mouthed heads she dances
nakedly in the air
the taste of freedom sweeter
than she’d ever have imagined


[five tanka on a dream of 1-16-13. Photo “Delta Dream” by Roswila]

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO DREAMKU (& PHOTOS): The dream-based poems posted on this blog -- dreamku, tanka, two-liners, and monoku -- are offered in the spirit of collaboration. I have done my part. Now it’s your turn to jump in and see what comes up for you. I.e., there is no right or wrong way to understand or interpret any of these dream offerings. Even my own understandings of them change over time. And it gives me joy when a reader sees something in any of them that I have not.

For more in-depth exploration:

-- a brief post about both dreamku and my photos THE AREN'TS OF DREAMKU & ACCOMPANYING DIGITAL PHOTOS.

-- detailed three-part post about dreamku: "A DREAMKU PRIMER: Writing Haiku-Like Poems About Your Night Dreams": PART ONE: Introduction & Writing Dreamku as Dream Work; PART TWO: Elements of the Haiku Form Used in Dreamku; and PART THREE: How to Write Dreamku (the second and third parts have some overlap).

-- a brief up-dating post about the three-part "A DREAMKU PRIMER" -- Important Up-date to A DREAMKU PRIMER....".

* * * *

‘til next time, keep dreaming,






If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or poems, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”). Roswila's other blogs: ROSWILA’S TAROT GALLERY & JOURNAL; ROSWILA’S TAIGA TAROT; and TRYING TO HOLD A BOX OF LIGHT.

MAKING THE BREAK (photo) & GIVE A KITTEN A BREAK! (dreamku series) by Roswila

GIVE A KITTEN A BREAK!

a dark kitten’s caught
between the wall and the couch
only its front paws
and head show above the back
as it squirms and yowls loudly

my brother watches
laughing and my father sits
on the couch leaning back
I know my brother won’t help
so I stand before my father:

"Inch that couch forward,”
I demand, “the kitten will do
the rest for herself”


[two tanka with a capping dreamku on a dream of 1-16-13, during an afternoon nap. My immediate associations to this dream were the old expression “couch potato” and “between a rock and a hard place.” Photo “Making the Break” by Roswila]

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO DREAMKU (& PHOTOS): The dream-based poems posted on this blog -- dreamku, tanka, two-liners, and monoku -- are offered in the spirit of collaboration. I have done my part. Now it’s your turn to jump in and see what comes up for you. I.e., there is no right or wrong way to understand or interpret any of these dream offerings. Even my own understandings of them change over time. And it gives me joy when a reader sees something in any of them that I have not.

For more in-depth exploration:

-- a brief post about both dreamku and my photos THE AREN'TS OF DREAMKU & ACCOMPANYING DIGITAL PHOTOS.

-- detailed three-part post about dreamku: "A DREAMKU PRIMER: Writing Haiku-Like Poems About Your Night Dreams": PART ONE: Introduction & Writing Dreamku as Dream Work; PART TWO: Elements of the Haiku Form Used in Dreamku; and PART THREE: How to Write Dreamku (the second and third parts have some overlap).

-- a brief up-dating post about the three-part "A DREAMKU PRIMER" -- Important Up-date to A DREAMKU PRIMER....".

* * * *

‘til next time, keep dreaming,






If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or poems, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”). Roswila's other blogs: ROSWILA’S TAROT GALLERY & JOURNAL; ROSWILA’S TAIGA TAROT; and TRYING TO HOLD A BOX OF LIGHT.

PICK & CHOOSE (photo) & THE QUESTION HANGS (dreamku series) by Roswila

THE QUESTION HANGS

I’m go-between for
sale of gently used silk sheets
to my step-mother –
I repeat what I was told,
that they’re cheap at half the price

she quickly points out
thinning at the fitted corners –
though taken aback
I claim there’s enough use left
to make the cost well worth it

but the question still hangs in the air –
to buy what’s at hand or start anew


[two tanka capped by a two-liner on a dream of 1-14-13. Photo “Pick & Choose” by Roswila]

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO DREAMKU (& PHOTOS): The dream-based poems posted on this blog -- dreamku, tanka, two-liners, and monoku -- are offered in the spirit of collaboration. I have done my part. Now it’s your turn to jump in and see what comes up for you. I.e., there is no right or wrong way to understand or interpret any of these dream offerings. Even my own understandings of them change over time. And it gives me joy when a reader sees something in any of them that I have not.

For more in-depth exploration:

-- a brief post about both dreamku and my photos THE AREN'TS OF DREAMKU & ACCOMPANYING DIGITAL PHOTOS.

-- detailed three-part post about dreamku: "A DREAMKU PRIMER: Writing Haiku-Like Poems About Your Night Dreams": PART ONE: Introduction & Writing Dreamku as Dream Work; PART TWO: Elements of the Haiku Form Used in Dreamku; and PART THREE: How to Write Dreamku (the second and third parts have some overlap).

-- a brief up-dating post about the three-part "A DREAMKU PRIMER" -- Important Up-date to A DREAMKU PRIMER....".

* * * *

‘til next time, keep dreaming,






If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or poems, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”). Roswila's other blogs: ROSWILA’S TAROT GALLERY & JOURNAL; ROSWILA’S TAIGA TAROT; and TRYING TO HOLD A BOX OF LIGHT.

TREES OF LIGHT (photo) & FOR NOW (dreamku series) by Roswila

FOR NOW

“b-b-but you’re
driving on the left side”
I say, a bit scared –
she chuckles, telling me this
is the side they drive on here

calmed, I relax and
look out the side window
toward the wide river
omigosh! small colored globes
shine in the twilight and water

lights of all colors
have been strung across ship riggings
and tall billboards
I gasp and my dear old friend
says that I should see it later,

there will be more ships lit up at anchor
and the sky will be a velvety black

but I know we’ll not pass this way again
and I am filled for now with light


[three tanka, and two two-liners on a dream of 1-14-13. I would not have given a plug nickel when I went to sleep Monday night that I’d have such a touching dream. I find this “balancing out” that a dream sometimes offers me, quite a welcome gift during tough passes in my life. I should add that January 14th (night of this dream) was the birthday of an actual dear old friend of mine, who may very well be at the end of her own journey. And there are times -- this being one of them -- when I become more than usually aware of the rapid passing of my own life as others in this retirement community I live in pass on. Right now, for now, I am in touch with a determination to see the beauty in every moment, in every face. Photo “Trees of Light” by Roswila, one of my earliest photos, taken on our retirement community grounds]

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO DREAMKU (& PHOTOS): The dream-based poems posted on this blog -- dreamku, tanka, two-liners, and monoku -- are offered in the spirit of collaboration. I have done my part. Now it’s your turn to jump in and see what comes up for you. I.e., there is no right or wrong way to understand or interpret any of these dream offerings. Even my own understandings of them change over time. And it gives me joy when a reader sees something in any of them that I have not.

For more in-depth exploration:

-- a brief post about both dreamku and my photos THE AREN'TS OF DREAMKU & ACCOMPANYING DIGITAL PHOTOS.

-- detailed three-part post about dreamku: "A DREAMKU PRIMER: Writing Haiku-Like Poems About Your Night Dreams": PART ONE: Introduction & Writing Dreamku as Dream Work; PART TWO: Elements of the Haiku Form Used in Dreamku; and PART THREE: How to Write Dreamku (the second and third parts have some overlap).

-- a brief up-dating post about the three-part "A DREAMKU PRIMER" -- Important Up-date to A DREAMKU PRIMER....".

* * * *

‘til next time, keep dreaming,






If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or poems, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”). Roswila's other blogs: ROSWILA’S TAROT GALLERY & JOURNAL; ROSWILA’S TAIGA TAROT; and TRYING TO HOLD A BOX OF LIGHT.

LONG HAIR LOVING (photo) & [untitled] (dreamku) by Roswila

hitting the stalker
only gives him a new face
try a hug instead


[dreamku written in February of 2010. Another of those dreamku I came across going through my old hand written notebooks. (See my comments to the previous two days' posts.) I have a pretty clear mental image memory of this dream. It was an on-going chase through dark city streets, and the "he" would become a different stranger each time I'd succeed in fighting him off. However, this was one of those dreams in which "I" was actually separate from the action/characters, watching it all, including myself. I call that an "observer I." That's the voice in which this dreamku was written. And as is often true with old dreamku, this one holds advice for me right now which is why I'm choosing to re-post it. Last night's dreams were replete with people I have long-stranding and trouble-filled relationships with. Though the actions and emotions were rather more instructive than conflict ridden; I suppose that's progress. Most relevant here is one of the earliest dreams of the night of a baby girl. She was very small, but clearly years older than that in development and talking ability. She wanted me to pick her up and hold her. I tried, knowing she was very heavy. I had to reassure her that I really did want to hold her, as it took quite some maneuvering in order to get her happily into my arms. Photo "Long Hair Loving" by Roswila, one of my very early photos, it's of an assignation next to the piano in our little theatre]

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO DREAMKU (& PHOTOS): The dream-based poems posted on this blog -- dreamku, tanka, two-liners, and monoku -- are offered in the spirit of collaboration. I have done my part. Now it’s your turn to jump in and see what comes up for you. I.e., there is no right or wrong way to understand or interpret any of these dream offerings. Even my own understandings of them change over time. And it gives me joy when a reader sees something in any of them that I have not.

For more in-depth exploration:

-- a brief post about both dreamku and my photos THE AREN'TS OF DREAMKU & ACCOMPANYING DIGITAL PHOTOS.

-- detailed three-part post about dreamku: "A DREAMKU PRIMER: Writing Haiku-Like Poems About Your Night Dreams": PART ONE: Introduction & Writing Dreamku as Dream Work; PART TWO: Elements of the Haiku Form Used in Dreamku; and PART THREE: How to Write Dreamku (the second and third parts have some overlap).

-- a brief up-dating post about the three-part "A DREAMKU PRIMER" -- Important Up-date to A DREAMKU PRIMER....".

* * * *

‘til next time, keep dreaming,






If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or poems, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”). Roswila's other blogs: ROSWILA’S TAROT GALLERY & JOURNAL; ROSWILA’S TAIGA TAROT; and TRYING TO HOLD A BOX OF LIGHT.

WHAT LIES BENEATH (photo) & [untitled] (monoku) by Roswila

thick skinned apple same sweet flesh beneath


[This is a dream monoku written in December 2007, which might also be considered a non-dream monoku as it's "realistic." This is another one I came across recently going through old hand written dreamku notebooks that I used to keep. (See my comment below yesterday's posts.) It was posted here years back, but in dreamku form - i.e. three lines. However, way under the usual total syllable count of 17, making it perfect for revision into a monoku. Photo "What Lies Beneath" by Roswila]

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO DREAMKU (& PHOTOS): The dream-based poems posted on this blog -- dreamku, tanka, two-liners, and monoku -- are offered in the spirit of collaboration. I have done my part. Now it’s your turn to jump in and see what comes up for you. I.e., there is no right or wrong way to understand or interpret any of these dream offerings. Even my own understandings of them change over time. And it gives me joy when a reader sees something in any of them that I have not.

For more in-depth exploration:

-- a brief post about both dreamku and my photos THE AREN'TS OF DREAMKU & ACCOMPANYING DIGITAL PHOTOS.

-- detailed three-part post about dreamku: "A DREAMKU PRIMER: Writing Haiku-Like Poems About Your Night Dreams": PART ONE: Introduction & Writing Dreamku as Dream Work; PART TWO: Elements of the Haiku Form Used in Dreamku; and PART THREE: How to Write Dreamku (the second and third parts have some overlap).

-- a brief up-dating post about the three-part "A DREAMKU PRIMER" -- Important Up-date to A DREAMKU PRIMER....".

* * * *

‘til next time, keep dreaming,






If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or poems, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”). Roswila's other blogs: ROSWILA’S TAROT GALLERY & JOURNAL; ROSWILA’S TAIGA TAROT; and TRYING TO HOLD A BOX OF LIGHT.

NIMIETY (photo) & BEFORE & AFTER (paired dreamku/haiku) by Roswila

BEFORE & AFTER
(a paired dreamku/haiku)


overcast river
she returns to the dark rock
split by the tree

* * *

standing before a gate
overgrown with dense green vines
no turning back


[these dreamku were dreamed/written in 12-08 and 3-08, respectively. They can also be considered haiku, largely because the scenes could actually have happened in waking life. They’ve been posted here, years go but not as a pair. I stumbled across them reading the three old steno -- small spiral bound -- notebooks in which I used to hand write my dreamku. Many of those old dreamku I turned into monoku and edited in other ways. Much of this I did on top of previous old edits. The books are barely legible now, with all the scratching-out and arrows, but are still a good record to have. The only other place the vast majority of these appear is on my blogs. The last hand entry was made in May of 2010. Now, everything is on my computer (with almost everything also posted to my blogs). In those earlier years, I also kept a dream journal. A single, three line dreamku was just a “highlight” that was still capable of calling up the entire dream for me. Then I transitioned into letting the dreamku be the total record I kept of any dream (i.e., no dream journaling anymore). And I began to see that after years had passed a single dreamku, on a single aspect of a dream, no longer always had the entire dream tethered to it in my memory. So these notebooks are also a reminder of how and when dreamku began evolving from the three-line, single poem form as above, into its present mostly lengthy blend of dreamku, tanka, two-liners and monoku. This blend of forms that more fully records an entire dream and sometimes more than one dream. Photo “Nimiety” by Roswila]

BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO DREAMKU (& PHOTOS): The dream-based poems posted on this blog -- dreamku, tanka, two-liners, and monoku -- are offered in the spirit of collaboration. I have done my part. Now it’s your turn to jump in and see what comes up for you. I.e., there is no right or wrong way to understand or interpret any of these dream offerings. Even my own understandings of them change over time. And it gives me joy when a reader sees something in any of them that I have not.

For more in-depth exploration:

-- a brief post about both dreamku and my photos THE AREN'TS OF DREAMKU & ACCOMPANYING DIGITAL PHOTOS.

-- detailed three-part post about dreamku: "A DREAMKU PRIMER: Writing Haiku-Like Poems About Your Night Dreams": PART ONE: Introduction & Writing Dreamku as Dream Work; PART TWO: Elements of the Haiku Form Used in Dreamku; and PART THREE: How to Write Dreamku (the second and third parts have some overlap).

-- a brief up-dating post about the three-part "A DREAMKU PRIMER" -- Important Up-date to A DREAMKU PRIMER....".

* * * *

‘til next time, keep dreaming,






If you wish to copy or use any of my writing or poems, please email me for permission (under “View my complete profile”). Roswila's other blogs: ROSWILA’S TAROT GALLERY & JOURNAL; ROSWILA’S TAIGA TAROT; and TRYING TO HOLD A BOX OF LIGHT.