sweat and tears will not achieve anything
without a goal to reach
goals emerge where dreams are fed and watered
tended, pruned back, and shaped
anchored to earth and reaching the sky...
soon to build a longer bridge
[sijo.] Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-08-15.
“Starship | Artist Rendering” by Official SpaceX Photos is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0 .
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #22.
Use ACHIEVEMENT as your inspiration this week.
tiny yellow chicks nap beneath broad rhubarb leaves till the rain is done
Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-08-15.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 423 FOWL and Weather.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 422 Rolling and Steady
dreams of home rise and fall of rolling hills your heartbeat
Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-08-08..
as the world around us changes
so must the long-term goals
common practices and mindsets
have failed through the years
as the rungs on life's ladder break . . .
I will learn to walk on air
[sijo.] Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-08-07.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #21.
Use GOALS as your inspiration this week.
more stars in the sky
than grains of ancient sand
polished in the waves
do galaxies live forever...or
must dreams and stardust die
[tanka] Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-08-02.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 421 SAND and Life.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #20. Use PRIDE as your inspiration this week.
self-respect and assurance
are tempered by vast unknowns
the world around us changes
from one "earthquake" to the next
we cannot speak with certainty
without digging up the facts
© lizl bennefeld, 2022-07-31.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 420 PRIZE and Wait
cherished memories longing for all those yesteryears . . . todays wait in vain
Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-07-25.
stars and the waxing moon's face
float ahead, mirrored in the lake
like ghosts calling to the living,
loon songs echo from the hills
dreams entangled in the heavens
melt away as the rain begins
Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-07-20.
Image by Evgeni Tcherkasski from Pixabay
after-school softball stretching out for a pop-fly... grass stains on my slacks
Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-07-19.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 419:: Grass and Stain
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #18: Regrets.
regret does not mean taking up
a heavy burden of remorse
or wearing sackcloth and ashes
boldly displayed or hid away
regrets are faded dreams of other paths
that we had no need to follow
Copyright 2022-07-14, by Lizl Bennefeld.
Thoughts upon reading the prompt for this week called to mind Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken“. I always found its message to be optimistic and reassuring.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #17. Use WORK as your inspiration this week
the work of our hands as we
prepare the soil for planting
the fruits of the land and the dirt
that holds their seeds in trust
the weight of every harvest rests
with cherishing a fertile earth
[sijo.] Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-07-06.
Image: “Spring Planting Day” by sgrace is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 417 BREAK and Dance.
dust motes dance caught by the sunbeams break of day
Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-07-04.
Image: “Vilhem Hammershøi, Dust Motes Dancing in the Sunbeams, 1900” by bianca.maggio is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/?ref=openverse.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #16. Use PARTY as your inspiration this week
too late to the party—the fires are out, the guests moved on a cloudy sky—no moonlit path or guiding stars to point the way light will surely come at dawn with signs and roads to follow
[sijo.] Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-06-29.
Image by S. Hermann & F. Richter from Pixabay
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 416 LIFE and Smile.
breath of ocean winds sunlight smiles upon the waves life's memories
Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-06-28.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #15. Use Summer as your inspiration this week.
woodland flowers revel in spring
before tree leaves block summer's light
summer sun and springtime flowers
mingle as they appear and leave
with fall's cool days and longer nights
Joe-Pye-weed and gentian bloom
[sijo.] Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-06-22.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 415 DAY and New.
one new day four walls, a window open door
Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-06-21.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #HaIku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 414: Guide and Slip.
dusk slips into night as northern guide stars appear to point the way home
Copyright © 2022-06-17, by Lizl Bennefeld.
Ursa Major and Ursa Minor mean, in English, big bear and little bear.
reality is the sum
of everything that is and isn't
changed and constantly changing...
endless causes and effects
permanent uncertainty till
all the universes end
[sijo.] Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-06-16
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #14. Use Reality as your inspiration this week.
the future that I will not live
must wait its turn while I take mine
the tasks I do are for today—
tomorrow's fall to others' hands
tomorrow and the years to come
will all depend on yesterdays
[sijo.] Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-06-08.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #13. Use FUTURE as your inspiration this week.
Image by winterseitler from Pixabay
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 413: Divide and Rise.
twilight divides blinding sun from cold desert rock ... to sunrise from night after sunset the moon and lesser stars show paths to home
Copyright © 2022-06-06, by Lizl Bennefeld.
“Image note: another beautiful night begin ! [Explored]” by Israel Nature Photography by Ary is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 
.
romance began in moonlight
sparkling fireworks and stars
sentiments and shared interests
reading the same library books
differences in opinions while
still setting common goals
[sijo.] Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-06-02.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #12. Use ROMANCE as your inspiration this week.
In truth, I didn’t know what to write for this theme. But we celebrate our thirtieth wedding anniversary, this year. Lives and relationships build on the beginnings, and as the layers form, they firm up the surfaces. Make them stronger, yet more flexible. Comfortable as the layers of life work together. Common trust that can sustain relationships through difficulties. Who would have thought it?
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 412: Beast and Steam.
steam rises around snow monkeys in their hot springs as they share the warmth the beastly thing about winter is how to not turn to ice
Copyright © 2022-05-30, by Lizl Bennefeld.
Photo by Billy Pasco on Unsplash.
Note: A snow monkey is also known as a Japanese macaque.
their deep roots winter over,
fast asleep in the frozen ground
tulip bulbs and dandelions,
blue wild flax roots and seeds
melting snow and warm sunshine . . .
spring yearns to be reborn
[sijo.] Copyright © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-05-28.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #10: GROWING UP/Mature.
scents tell animals when fruit is ripe for eating... so its seeds are spread
Copyright © 2022-05-26, by Lizl Bennefeld.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 411 FRUIT and Ripe.
beneath a sullen sky that promises
rain which does not fall
gossip between leaves and branches
is quiet as the vanished breeze
with bated breath fields and woodlands
anticipate the coming storms
[sijo.] Copyright © 2022-05-25, by Lizl Bennefeld. All rights reserved.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #11.
Use EXCITEMENT as your inspiration this week.
the king of flowers... fragrant blooms on slender stems the peony tree the queen of flowers open on rose bushes with sharp thorns
[tanka.] Copyright © 2022-05-16, by Lizl Bennefeld.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 410 KING and Queen.
“Peony and Rose” by Doolallyally is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.
i don't remember high school
my life flew by in a blur
band and choir rehearsals
trumpet, keyboard, and french horn
but the winters...lying in the snow
to watch the night sky's changing face
[sijo.] Copyright © 2022-05-15, by Liz Bennefeld. All rights reserved.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #9.
Use HIGH SCHOOL as your inspiration this week.
the nature of space is vast emptiness with lights stardust in between
Copyright © 2022-05-14, by Lizl Bennefeld.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 409 NATURE and Space.
the world was created in a day...in a blink of the eye hidden from view by a heavy mist that vanished with the dawn the heron contemplates breakfast while silver minnows swim by
[sijo.] Copyright © 2022-05-05, by Liz Bennefeld. All rights reserved.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 408 LEAF and Tote.
tiny ants carry the earth's wealth leaves and seeds
© 2022-05-03, by Lizl Bennefeld.
Photo by Skyler Ewing from Pexels
through the fragrant mist of daybreak
promise of clear morning skies
waking birds murmur soft greetings
as they stretch their wings to fly
while the birds of the night
sink into rest and lullabies
[sijo.] Copyright © 2022-04-28, by Liz Bennefeld. All rights reserved.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #7
“Sunrise Dawn Photo” by Kristine Weilert (Stocksnap) is marked with CC0 1.0..
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 407
high desert footpaths
wend their way through cragged canyons
and Joshua trees
massive boulders and arches
old gold mines and dreams
© 2022-04-27, by Lizl Bennefeld.
Photos by Liz Bennefeld.
how gracefully the new leaves flutter in the morning breeze shadows dance along the path, fade and disappear again noon arrives but does not stop, allowing room for twilight
[sijo.] Copyright © 2022-04-21, by Liz Bennefeld. All rights reserved.
Ronovan Writes Sijo Wednesday Poetry Challenge #6
“Forest glade in spring” by sunsju is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 406
years race by bringing zest to life... memories © 2022-04-20, by Lizl Bennefeld.
Photos by Liz Bennefeld.
cold winter's last encroachment on the springtime warmth green grass no longer buried by the late-come snow a robin seeks out lawn grubs still too cold to move the season flows forward as thin ice melts away
[imayo.] Copyright © 2022-04-19, by Liz Bennefeld.
through the thin mist of clouds
while evening yields to deeper night
enticing fireflies blink on and off
as they trace false trails
birds of day settle in while
birds of the night sing them to sleep
[sijo.] Copyright © 2022-04-14, by Liz Bennefeld. All rights reserved.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 405 Bare & Fruit
bare branches still hold last year's fruit... spring's warm rain © 2022-04-11, by Lizl Bennefeld.
Photos by Liz Bennefeld.
passion does not become me, although I stand in stillness when the mourning doves share their sorrows, and my hot tears flow free I feel the Earth's pulsing heart beat in rhythm with the sea © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-04-07.
Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com
out in the rainstorm crows play "King of the Branches" laughter and wet wings
Copyright © 2022-04-05, by Lizl Bennefeld.
April is National Poetry Writing Month (NaPoWriMo)!
Photography by Lizl Bennefeld.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 404 Eyes and Sand
moonlight on the waves
as far as my eyes can see
pebbles on the shore
I still hear you whispering
that you someday will return
copyright © 2022-04-04, by lizl bennefeld
Photo by Giuseppe Famiani on Unsplash
Synonym: pebbles = sand.
fir trees stand guard at the head of the trail leading to the peak greening meadows celebrate the return of warmth and sunlight spring melt runoff jumps from rock to rill to laughing mountain streams © Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-04-01.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 403 TOWER and Watch
watching ocean waves
from atop the lighthouse tower—
softly on the rocks
make the windows watertight
firm against late autumn storms
copyright © 2022-03-28, by lizl bennefeld
“Lighthouse And Storm (Explored)” by jarr1520 is marked with CC BY-NC 2.0. (Not modified.)
The haiku form (Impending Storm) can be found on my blog, Quietude and Tea.
we number and name our dead
those we have known or knew about
the lists grow longer with each night
that passes, each lingering breath
the last breaths that we'll count are ours...
freed from numbers and the names
© Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-03-26.
I wrote this poem, today, in reaction to the one that Jo Walton posted on her Patreon account earlier today.
spring hovers in the background,
waiting for the snow to melt
temperatures rise and fall
without regard to season
rabbits munch on last year's grass,
emerging tulips for dessert
© Lizl Bennefeld, 2022-03-23.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 402 Free and World
free to fly above
earth's storms
between clouds and sun
the world out of sight
© Lizl Bennefeld, 22 March 2022
Image by wal_172619 from Pixabay
hands idle
thoughts lightyears away
lost in space
© Liz Bennefeld, 2022-03-17.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 401 SMOKE and Water.
smoke on the water
mimicking a hazy day
no air left to breathe
river banks guide sullen streams
as they creep toward the sea
[tanka.] Copyright © 2022-03-14, by Lizl Bennefeld.
“Smoke on the Water” by -mtnoxx- is marked with CC BY 2.0.
Note: My poem is not representative of the actual river or the condition of its water. Just a hazy, moody scene .
Another poem, written to this week’s prompt words.
feathered clouds strands of crystal ice breathless wind
Copyright © by Liz Bennefeld, 2022-03-07. All rights reserved.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 400 FEATHER and Whisper.
It has been a long time since I wrote this poem, but it is one of my most favorite among those I have written in this century. (I may write another to this prompt, but for now I could not resist the repetition.)
Gift your muse quill pens
and bid her feathers whisper
love to your belovèd
Copyright © by Liz Bennefeld, 2015-10-26. All rights reserved.
Ronovan Writes #Weekly #Haiku #Poetry Prompt #Challenge 400 FEATHER and Whisper.
Quilted Poetry 