Summary

Janaka Stagnaro reflects on the sights, sounds, and emotions experienced during an evening hike through a series of haiku and micro poems, capturing the essence of nature and the passage of time.

Abstract

In "Musings on an Evening Hike," Janaka Stagnaro shares a collection of haiku and micro poems inspired by a walk in Garland Park, Carmel Valley, California. The author paints vivid images of the natural world, from the playful puddle hoppers to the solemn, ancient homestead barn. Through his words, Stagnaro contemplates the cycle of life, the beauty of twilight, and the companionship of animals and walking sticks. The poems reflect on the past, with an elderly man reminiscing about his youthful energy and a once-majestic tree now serving as a home for termites. The author also muses on the future, considering the inevitable first step into the unknown that awaits all. The use of dictation on his phone for writing adds a modern twist to the timeless practice of poetry, and Stagnaro invites readers to join him in the "Poetry Playground" for more of his reflections.

Opinions

The author finds beauty in the transient nature of the world, such as the transformation of a tree into soil and the aging of an energetic man into a slower walker.
Stagnaro appreciates the different perspectives of nature, acknowledging that what is cute to human eyes, like wild rabbits, may be perceived differently by a predator like a hawk.
The author values the companionship of animals, particularly noting the friendship formed with crows, which now bring a smile to his face upon hearing their caws.
There is a sense of mindfulness and presence in the author's observations, as seen in the reflection on horseseshit on the trail serving as a reminder to stay alert and not sleepwalk through life.
Stagnaro recognizes the barn and the trail as spaces filled with stories and memories of those who have walked before, suggesting a deep respect for history and the journeys of others.
The author seems to find solace and happiness in solitude, as indicated by the contentment with his own footfalls and walking stick as his only companions at day's end.

Musings on an Evening Hike

Haiku and other micro poems

after days of rain a puddled world now remains puddle hoppers come

old man climbs a hill step by step, not long ago he ran huffing by

twilight colors sky wild rabbits twitch cute noses different to a hawk’s eye

once a tree tall providing shade nests well hidden now a home for termites adorned by fungi turning into soil

planks missing, like teeth an ancient homestead barn stands an owl plays with mice

elderly travelers with leashes in hands companions on the other ends tomorrow one will go first

with walking stick in hand my footfalls my only companions happy at day’s end

hiking through the woods leaves on the ground like faux words on a page

horseshit on the trail mindfulness reminders no sleepwalking here!

the siren of an emergency vehicle dopplers down the highway the coyote in the grass howls — listen to the sound that will come to all

as the sun goes down trees put on their nighttime faces for me to behold

crows were just crows until I made two friends now when I hear their caws I can only smile

memorials of those who walked before names and sayings remembrance and encouragement places to reflect to appreciate as they once did how many more journeys remains for my staff

— Janaka Stagnaro

Thank you for taking this walk with me. I just discovered that I can use my phone for dictation. A few weeks ago, I hiked in Garland Park in Carmel Valley, California, a few miles from my home, and blathered aloud. It was challenging at first, as I have always written in silence, but I got used to it.

Cheers.

Join the Poetry Playground:

Welcome to the Playground

Let the play begin!

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