#today I woke up to a winter wonderland in my backyard. I love the way the snow rests on the dogwood trees. You can't see them in the picture, but there are lots of bunnies scurrying around down there. It's fun to watch them while I'm working.

Feeling very privileged today. I'm lucky to live in a relatively secluded place with neighbors who don't bother me. I think, more than anything else, I really just want to be left alone by humanity.

I hope you can find solitude today, if you want it.

Our dog Holly died tonight. She had been struggling for a while but had a dramatic worsening of respiratory issues late in the evening. We were able to get her to the emergency vet and say goodbye in a peaceful environment.

Holly was "my baby" and I don't know how I will be able to deal with losing her. I've never had such a close bond with an animal. I can't believe she's gone but I'm glad she isn't suffering anymore. I will miss her.

Had a poem that I'm very happy with rejected today. Definitely not a good feeling, but it doesn't change the fact that I think it's a good poem. Maybe I'm being a bit hard-headed...or maybe it's their loss.

#amWriting

Sealey challenge day 5 (catchup): Pablo Neruda

"Hoy es hoy con el peso de todo el tiempo ido, / con las alas de todo que será mañana..."

"Today is today, with the weight of all past time, with the wings of all that will be tomorrow..."

It was interesting reading this as I'm working on my own collection of 100 sonnets. Obviously I'm no match for Neruda! All of his work has a very distinctive character to it. Enjoyed it, but wish I hadn't read it all in one day.

#SealeyChallenge

Sealey challenge day 4 (catchup): Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu

"We live
in a tide-swept inlet
floating, flung.
In such a world, why cling to
collections of poems?"

I needed a palate cleanser after the last book, and this one seemed appropriate for Tanka Thursday. I really enjoy classical Japanese poetry, to the point that I'm trying to learn Japanese to appreciate it better. I liked this collection, but I wish it came as a bilingual edition!

#SealeyChallenge

Sealey challenge day 3 (catch up): Marjorie Agosin

"Y lo mas increible / era gente / como usted / como yo / si, gente fina / como nosotros."

"And the most incredible thing...they were people, like you, like me...yes, fine people like us."

This was a painful book, and worth reading. I won't say that it was pleasant, but it definitely put me in a space to think about human suffering and cruelty in a way I didn't before. Recommended, with a warning.

#SealeyChallenge