f/k/a archives . . . real opinions & real haiku

(larger) Lawrence the Indian (of pink flamingo fame) is decked out again this Spring in tulips, in his traffic circle, at Front, Green and Ferry Sts., in Schenectady’s Historic Stockade District. Read more about Lawrence here. (Stockade tulip photos by D. Giacalone, May 2008) Many thanks to Stockade resident Jennifer Wells, of Stockade Lawn and Gardens, for all the “pro bono” work she does planting and caring for flowers and decorative plantings throughout our neighborhood.

update (May 10, 2008): This cheery tulip display called to me while I was strolling up N. Ferry St. this afternoon. Located behind 14 N. Ferry, it simply couldn’t be ignored. [larger here]

………………………………………. click to see them in context:

first-date stroll
April tulips
still closed tight

.. by dagosan

A couple blocks away, in Riverside Park along the Mohawk River, slightly-past-peak tulips sway in the wind while overlooking the Isle of the Cayugas (larger).

blustery day
one tulip
keeps his head

………….. by David Giacalone, Simply Haiku, Autumn 2007, vol 5 no 3

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come on,
you’ve got to see the . . .
!!! decapitated tulips !!!

….. by dagosan

Missed already. The First Reform Church tulips we showed you (along with our cherry blossoms) on April 24, 2008 (larger), have already lost their heads and have been replaced.

Despite their transient nature, tulips and their spirit live on in haiku. Here are a bed-full by members of the f/k/a family of poets:

darkening clouds
I press cold earth
on tulip bulbs

………. by Laryalee Fraser – The Heron’s Nest X:1 (March 2008)

shuttered room;
I enter
with tulips

…. by paul m. – finding the way (Press Here, 2002)

trespassing –
three tulips
in an unkempt yard

eighth day of rain
dandelion clocks
taller than the tulips

….. by dagosan

(orig.)

sudden storm
the tulips
brim over

… by matt morden from Morden Haiku (May 8, 2006)

Arlington
the tulips
wide open

….. by Carolyn Hall – The Heron’s Nest Vol. VII –

– haiga: poem by David Giacalone, photo by Arthur Giacalone, at Highland Park, Rochester, NY.

. . . Albany [NY] will be celebrating its 60th Annual Tulip Festival this weekend, May 9 – 11, 2008, in Washington Park. The Festival has “over 200,000 tulip bulbs blossom[ing] into a sea of colors just in time for Mothers Day.” Friday evening (tonight, May 9) will introduce “Night Fire, a unique art-installation of the elements involving local artists and community partners to create a special 60th anniversary ceremony.” Read about Night Fire in “Artwork of fire, water for city’s 60th Tulipfest: Burning steel sculpture in Washington Park Lake will be center of “Night Fire” event” (Albany Times Union, Feb. 5, 2008); and “Festival flambe” (TU, May 8, 2008).

. . . . . . update (May 10, 2008): At the Times Union photogallery, you’ll find impressive photos of the Night Fire windmill burning and the resulting steel tulip. (purchase them at the TU Online Store.) Even better (6 PM): Here’s a two-minute video clip from WRGB.com, Channel 6 in Albany, which includes Night Fire burning, plus some gorgeous tulips.

Click this link for some great TU readers’ photos of the Albany tulips in Washington Park.

. . .

-Haiga: poem by david giacalone; photo by Arthur Giacalone; orig. posted at MagnaPoets Japanese Form, May 22, 2007.

sunny morning —
pink tulips in bloom
on the preschool’s walls

.. by Billie Wilson – Haiku Harvest (Spring 2001)

– don’t forget our f/k/a Mother’s Day Haiku Collection (originally posted May 10, 2007).

preview (May 10, 2008): Some time soon, we’ll feature lilacs again. They inspired dagosan today at his little weblog.

post-script (May 12, 2008): I see that Prof. Ann Althouse is proud of the blossoms (and flower boxes) in her Brooklyn neighborhood, too.

2009 update (May 8, 2009): A few Tulips along the Mohawk.

update (May 14, 2008): I joined Elizabeth and Barry last night for a quick trip to the Albany Tulip Festival at Washington Park. A lovely spring evening held many delights, and ended with a feast across from the Park at El Loco Mexican Cafe. Here are a few shots I snapped:

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