I saw my shadow / and knew this spring-like winter / would not continue.

I saw my shadow / and knew this spring-like winter / would not continue.

2/2/2012

*For those of you who don’t know about the silly North American (US + Canada) tradition called Groundhog Day, this haiku is based on it… A fat rodent is supposed to come out of his hole in the ground (hibernation) on this date (2nd February) each year and predict when winter will end.

Or, as Wikipedia says, “According to folklore, if it is cloudy when the groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day, then spring will come early. If it is sunny, the groundhog will supposedly see its shadow and retreat back into its burrow, and the winter weather will continue for six more weeks.”

We shall see… 🙂

// haikumages // ©russ murray

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“Haikumages” are short poems (mostly haiku and senryu-style) combined with images (mostly original photographs and graphics) by Russ Murray.

2 responses to “I saw my shadow / and knew this spring-like winter / would not continue.”

OneFrenchWord

2/3/2012

Aren’t Americans quaint (and I mean that very kindly). What a nice tradition! Are there many groundhogs? Is it a national holiday so that you can all go out and watch what they will do? A very clever haiku then. By the way, European spring-like winter has just, and without groundhogs or warning, turned to Siberia. So your turn may be next…

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1. remurray
  
  2/3/2012
  
  Well, I think French-folk are super-quaint (in different ways, and meant kindly)…but thanks! Most groundhogs here are seen roadside these days, as you drive along a highway, chewing on grass, fattening up for Winter hibernation. They are round, brown, furry, sedentary creatures. We actually have one living under the back porch/deck of our home, but we did not see him at all yesterday; perhaps he came out when I was not looking, to check his/her shadow… But regarding the weather, and how long Winter will last, it seems likely we will become Siberia soon too (I’ve been dreading/expecting it)…
  
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