watercolorist’s challenge clouds

 in watercolors, gray comes to life

by combining opposites

on the color wheel, such as,

green with red

orange with blue

purple with yellow

so all of the color wheel is in each gray

but the various proportions yield

varied moods and emotional responses

this morning’s tumbled layers of clouds

needed all three combinations

to reveal the temper

of each watery atmosphere

late december

haiku

again socked in gray

clouds hiding the snow-capped peaks

but bright and joyous

Sol sleeping in

muted by a stillness that smothers

the breeze leaves pine boughs drooping

waiting for animation, for sign of life

even early morning colors patinaed

with blue-gray, drugged to slumber

Sol sleeping in long past dawn

somber to sparkle

flat, somber cloud field settled

over the upper valley drizzling rain

onto our evergreens and meadow

early this morning

finally, the sun broke through gray

to sparkle small drops clinging

to tallish grass

not warming the chill but lending

hope for joy to spread into the day

chill fog

 chill fog writhing to envelope

warmth and golden sun in gray

cooling the marrow of our bones

as though to sap our will

or to command us to be still

and dig more deeply

into the rich mystery and joy

of being alive

oregon may 1st

may has arrived

chill, gray, deflowered, hopeful

man will learn to care