Haiku # 2

trees covered in white

the skies as gray as can be

me, wandering free

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: With a twist — Haiku

As you may know I love poetry. I have been writing mainly acrostic and free verse poems for quite a while. Last week I visited one of my mentors and we talked about poetry, specifically Haiku. It is a style of poetry that I’ve never really explored before. He sent me a Haiku book, which has now sparked an interest. As I understand, Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry, where the subject is inspired by nature. Traditionally it contains 17 syllables (in 3 lines e.g. 5-7-5). As in all things, traditions change over time.

Here is my first Hakiu:

blowing, falling snow

drifting freely in the wind

takes my breath away

© Denise Etienne

Snow scene...

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Snakes of Trinidad and Tobago I

There are just over forty species of snakes found in Trinidad and Tobago. Only four species of them are considered venomous, two Corals and two Pit vipers - none of these occur in Tobago. They are not the “evil” creatures that they are portrayed to be. I have encountered all four and I am still around. In fact, you should consider yourself extremely lucky if you were to ever cross paths with one of these secretive creatures, for they are seldom seen.

Our Pit vipers are mainly brown in color, with some variation of yellow, gray, green or black depending on the species.  They have distinctive triangular shaped heads. Along their body are diagonal stripes forming a unique diamond pattern. The Pit vipers that I have seen ranged from one foot, all the way up to eight feet in length! Their poison contain Hemotoxins, which affects the circulatory system destroying red blood cells, causing organ degeneration and tissue damage, if left untreated it can be fatal. The Fer-de-lance and the Bushmaster are the two Pit vipers recorded for Trinidad.

Next week, I'll cover the Corals. 

Be good!

© Denise Etienne

Naturalist Notes: Winter in the US

This is not a sight you’d ever see in Trinidad. We have only two seasons—dry and rainy, basically six months of each. In the tropics our average temperature ranges between 72-88° Fahrenheit, so its almost difficult to explain what this "cold" really feels like.

I remember back in 1996 when I saw snow for the first time. The air was still, patiently waiting for something to happen, and down came these beautiful, white, feathery, delicate flakes falling from the sky—I was totally mesmerized!

Gray skies

Quietness in the air

Purity in white

Sparkling gems

Bundle of clothes

© Denise Etienne

2011

A new year...

With new hopes and dreams

Unspoken resolutions, buried deep with your heart

Forge onwards, for you are the only one able to make it a reality

Be good!

D