Balancing Act

“Any order is a balancing act of extreme precariousness.” — Walter Benjamin delicate landing dragonfly on head of pin acrobatic feat *   *   * Precarious ~ Twelve-spot Skimmer dragonfly in gymnast title role • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Balancing Act” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023

Eloquence

”Eloquent speech is not from lip to ear, but rather from heart to heart.” — William Jennings Bryan A last stop in the picturesque Ring of Kerry area was the Muckross House. Completed in 1843 for Anglo-Irish member of congress, Henry Arthur Herbert, the estate occupies a prime setting by the banks of Muckross Lake. … More Eloquence

Pure Beauty

“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery— air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy.’” — Sylvia Plath Next stop, Killarney, perfect hub for exploring the Ring of Kerry as well as the area’s charming towns and sights. Its nearby Aghadoe outlook offers a sweeping view … More Pure Beauty

Rugged Coastline

“Be like the cliff against which the waves continually break; but it stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it.” — Marcus Aurelius After lunch and a comfort stop in Doolin Village at where else but Gus O’Connor’s pub (didn’t seem right to pass by an O’Connor family namesake😂), we moved on … More Rugged Coastline

Ireland Travels

“Ireland is so saturated with green that it’s the things not green that catch one’s eye: the roads, walls, shorelines, even sheep…” — Hope Jahren Scenic drive looking down on Galway Bay. Typical view of Ireland – immersed in green, dotted with ruins, framed with stone, softened with gorse and fragrant may flower. Ireland Journey … More Ireland Travels

Drama

“The structure of a play is always the story of how the birds came home to roost.” — Arthur Miller lost leaves spell drama branches write on cloudless sky Hitchcock storyline *   *   * On Stage ~ Manuscript of Lines • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Drama” haiku poem by Mary O’Connor © 2023

Inner Spring

“The well is within us, and if we dig deeply in the present moment, the water will spring forth.” — Nhat Hanh deep hole in the ground entryway to earth’s essence healing spring water *   *   * Cool Water ~ Deep spring water held in rock-clad well • Photo at Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford, … More Inner Spring

Laziness

“Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.” — Jules Reynard warm sunshine in spring nourishes one’s comfort zone builds lazy habits *   *   * Sheep on Hillside  ~ Soaking up the sunshine • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Laziness” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023

Sparks of Hope

“Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny inner sparks of possibility into flames of possibility.” — Golda Meir red, orange, yellow hot embers erupt as torches dreams burst forth as stars *   *   * Tulip Embers ~ Open tulip petals release bursts of springtime hope • Photo and “Sparks of Hope” haiku poem … More Sparks of Hope

Precarious

“I am struck by how precarious it all is. How the things that hold us are only as strong as the faith we have in them.” — David Levithan shaky foundation future built on lies won’t stand needs cement of truth *   *   * Strong Walls ~ Surging waters encircle solid walls • Photo at … More Precarious