3 haibun

As I walk in one of the waitresses is in mid-coughing-fit. I do my best not to look disgusted or terrified - I’m just recovering from an illness and my thoughts are selfishly anchored in my own health. I think of leaving but feel the awkwardness of such a move would be too much. I sit down in a booth on top of a seat cushioned by terror and disgust or terry and diane. 

‘Ok. What you havin’?’

‘Black coffee, please.’

The coffee arrives. I blow on it out of, one part custom and another part anxiety. I smell it. Obviously bitter but other things. The foam and scum become clouds. I watch portraits of women and animals come and go through a soft parade. A pig shits out Morrissey’s head. To be born of stars, or something or another, it says.

olfaction infinity 

frogs are time

Overheard: ‘Would it be in bad taste to attach a marital aid to an urn and copulate w/ it?’

Overheard: ‘Depends who owns it?’ 

I stop overhearing. It’s hard to stop listening. 

I replace a live drum track w/ a drum machine created on my computer.

sliding peacefully into a begging bowl an amphibian 

________________

Jackie O has a vision of an outdoors man skinning animals on fresh snow. The moon sits between green lights. The outdoors man obviously has at least a three day stubble. Bobby gets lost while he’s out buying records. The outdoors man obviously overdressed in every occasion. No one has heard from him since. The outdoors man asks directions from a pharaoh. Bobby doesn’t win an oscar. 

somewhere between 

nothing and this world 

migratory birds

_______________

v... z… half cut o’s like the moon but different; cut the other way. Not o, ho. Orchid rosettes pick time - tea served w/ sandwiches of various sizes and filling and feelings. The sky to minor triangle moody / nowhere to go being in time. Feelings picked by colour. Pursed in forgotten autumn hues and that other season - that other season.

ghost orchid
i delete your 
emails 

___________

30 Days Wild (Day 13) Cathkin Park

Cathkin Park houses the remnants of an old football stadium, the second Hampden Park and home to the famous 3rd Lanark, surrounded by a small wooded area. It's a lesser known park, outside of history and football enthusiasts, with being quite close to the larger Queens Park but nonetheless worth seeing if you're in the area for its historic significance as well as the unique remnants of the stadium contrasted with the small wooded area. 

Today continued in its overcast grey drizzle - but it is what it is. The walk was nice though. City parks provide this weird postcard of how things are. Sure the busy roads and what have you might mute the bees but it's still there. The high rises are shadow the even tallest trees. The city park is like a little slice of the intensity and strength of the natural world; regardless of our progress it still pushes through. This aside it can simply provide a place to relax or sit for a few minutes. 

ruined stadium -
all that remains
are bird songs

More info on 30 days wild
Follow me on twitter for more

30 Days Wild (Day 10) Around the block again

More info on 30 days wild
Follow me on twitter for more

30 Days Wild (Day 8) Around the block

Sometimes the only slice of nature we can get on a busy day is a walk around the block. Sometimes it's only a walk to the bus or train station or even to the local corner shop. No matter how small it is nature will be there as long as we look.

More info on 30 days wild
Follow me on twitter for more

Glasgow Wander (Mount Florida to Newlands Park)

So here's something a little different for this blog. Seen as Spring is hitting its stride it's good to get out and walk. So here's a nice short one I like in Glasgow.
Exit the station onto Battlefield Road. Cross the road and follow Brisbane St all the way down to the White Cart Water. On the particular stretch I've repeatedly seen Kingfishers. Today I saw the resident Goosanders - 2 male. 

Follow the river round till you come to a footbridge. On your right is the Weirs cricket Ground. Cross the footbridge and follow Kintore Road. Go under a railway bridge crossing over Newlands Rd. You'll meet a small green space with a play ground with crossing paths take either onto Monreith Road. Take a right and continue onto Langside Rd then take a left. Go passed the bowling green cross the road and take the first right onto Quadrant Road. Take the first right again on to Carlaverock Rd. At the end of the road you can see Newlands Park. 

Right now the pond has frogspawn. Daffodils are in bloom. Cherry trees are pink. It's a small understated park. Take your time here if you want. Lots of benches and a relaxing atmosphere. 

On the way back take a slightly different route that allows a little more time along the White Cart

In front of the Newlands church a cherry tree blooms. The contrast of pink blossom on sallow sandstone is quite striking. The river rambles on and a short stroll through a tenement street brings you back to Weir's bridge and you can follow the route back to the station

https://goo.gl/gOSqVX