©hk photography
An early morning gift from nature
Gives me hope for planet earth
Gift
Hope
A to Z Challenge – Observation
OBSERVATION: Notice or being noticed, perception, faculty of taking notice
He lay there in stillness
in echo friendly casket
Arms gently folded
Hands entwined in rich red pohutakawa blossom
Wearing suit
that fitted so well at son’s wedding,
several years ago
Last worn then
now hiding thin frail human
An alter of flowers, fruit and vegetables
the rewards of years of planting, nurturing and growing
His last harvest
Outside sun shines glorious light beams
Rays of love to all
Family, friends, loved ones
Tears, laughter
Stories, emotion
Pure
He is at peace
this his last night on earth
Farewell
A to Z Challenge – Majestic
MAJESTIC: Possessing stateliness or grandeur, imposing
Tuesday’s usual trip from the Kapiti Coast to Wellington
Takes me through familiar landmarks
which remain as constant as Tuesday follows Monday
Passing towns and suburbs
where people are going about their daily routines
Trains worming towards the big city
Cars inching forward in traffic jam
Pass Whenua Tapu cemetery
and a keen eye notices a new monument decorated with flowers
At Paremata
a little apprehensive
wondering if she will be there today
moored between road and rail bridges
Heading south the view between the bridges
is hampered by passing traffic, concrete walls
and walkers
NOT TO BE SEEN
So the wait begins, and as the day unfolds with regularity,
I head north for home
The motorway not so busy this time
as commuters are now parked in office buildings,
shops, universities, coffee houses
Before Paremata
I position myself for the ultimate view
I am not disappointed
I see her sat upon still water
that make the inlet
where fishers catch sprats
She is majestic
this small little boat
I smile as a drive past
KATE
Kate ©hk photography
A to Z Challenge – Footprint
FOOTPRINT: impression left by foot.
©hk photography
A to Z Challenge – Emotion
EMOTION: Disturbance of mind, mental sensation or state; instinctive feeling as opposed to reason.
I play leap frog with emotiions
My emotions
Frogs in position
me at the start line
This challenge ….not easy …. scary ….fear
Pulse quickens
Muscles twitch, I sense anxiety in my heart
Mind speak “you can do this”
Your’re not the first, you won’t be the last
Breathe….Meditate….Believe…..Have Faith
LEAP
Nourish your Heart
5 months after diagnosis
1 month before surgery
This topsy-turvy 5 months has brought to the fore emotions hidden in dark places
Anger, shame, guilt and fear
They jack in the boxed out from the abyss so quickly, danced in frenzied style and taunted my psyche.
And consumed my every day
Advice from a good friend
“Nourish your Heart”
Push the jack of negative emotions back into its box
Find emotions worthy of my attention
Joy, love, compassion, trust
Remove fear
Only then can I
Nourish my heart
Side Swiped
She was manic, busy and energetic – clearly loving her work. Her time running out and my appointment at least 30 minutes late.
I sat there feeling guilty for wasting precious time of this very busy woman.
Trying to access my files on her computer
Asking a colleague for help to make my documents visible and finally achieving it.
A pause from her suggested something may be up, but she had her game face on, and no emotion showed – a good sign I thought.
Her questions, my answers all appeared to tick the “you are healthy” box.
“So lets check that echocardiogram” she said.
Alone I sat in the room with examination bed and curtain at one end. Messy desk topped with artificial hearts, papers, stethoscope and cup of tea at the other end. Cream walls.
Waiting seemed like forever – I practiced my apology for wasting her time
The door flew open and the words “you are in serious trouble” spilled out, followed by “you have severe heart disease”. She loomed over me explaining exactly what she had seen on the echocardiogram, but I heard nothing. Those words “severe heart disease” echoing inside my brain.
What! When? How? Why? Visibly shocked.
I am a fitness instructor, how could this be. I cycle, run, exercise for leisure and for occupation.
“Did you have rheumatic fever when you were young” she asked. “I have no idea” I mumbled
Diagnosis – Rheumatic Heart Disease
Within an hour, I was a patient. I work with patients.
Within an hour, I was prescribed medication. I never take pills.
Within an hour, my life changed.
Three words side swiped me – Disease, Patient, Medication
Prepare for valve replacement surgery
After paying for the consultation, I sat in my car feeling totally alone
How do I tell my family?
Short Story
Early for me, but not others
as I pedal my 30km circuit
watching the action unfolding for a new day
Sun just starting to warm the day, but cold air hits hard as head wind tests my stamina.
Sand rustled up by wind catches my breath and salt from wave spray stings my eyes.
Seagulls fight over dead fish washed up on beach, a gift from the ocean
People on the hunt for the best coffee house
Where coffee is the stimulus for conversation
Some absorb daily newspaper – mostly bad news
I am moving at supersonic speed, in my head
Realistically a slow pace hard up against that unforgiving head wind
I look forward to the turn round, where the wind becomes my ally and gifts me a quick return home.
Let the scene write itself
Mangaia
Draped in light caught through Ironwood trees
Branches hang limply, long needles entangled
and some fall to shield earth
A soft hue meanders over church of old
Monuments to the dead scatter surrounding edges
Looking further back to what remain
of traditions long gone
Rubble reminds me of past ceremonies
where descendants once gathered
A bone of an ancestor lies abandoned
caught between the then and now
Apprehension grabs my solar plexus
As I wonder who this bone was?
Passing Lanes 