The Shape of Math - A Senryu

 

teenagers drawing
circles, squares, and triangles
geometry class

Fractal and senryu © Stacey Guenther

"Geometry enlightens the intellect and sets one's mind right."

~Ibn Khaldun

Enchantment - A Haiku

warm magical night

shooting star sprinkles stardust

on the full buck moon

Art and haiku © Stacey Guenther

"There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls." ~George Carlin

 

Two Frogs Making Fractals: A New Discovery in the World of Mathematics - A Haibun

Fractals are astonishing, intricate patterns you see in nature, like ferns, snowflakes, and coastlines.  They're also present in the branch-like structures of trees, the veins of leaves, and the shape of lightning bolts. But did you know that you can also find fractals in the world of computers? That's right, two frogs made fractals on a computer, and you can, too! 

In a world full of seemingly random shapes and patterns, it's nice to know that some things are still predictable. So we were thrilled to see two frogs making fractals on a computer. 

For those who don't know, a fractal is a shape that can be divided into smaller parts, each of which is a scaled-down version of the whole. And these two frogs seem to be masters at making fractals. 

We don't know about you, but we find it pretty amazing that two frogs can create such beautiful patterns. So if you need us, we'll be here admiring their handiwork.

The frogs sat before the computer, their eyes wide with anticipation. This was their moment of glory. Finally, they were going to create fractals! 

The first frog hopped onto the keyboard and started clicking away. The second frog followed suit, and soon, they made beautiful patterns on the screen. 

They worked for hours, never getting tired. The patterns they created were mesmerizing, and people worldwide soon came to see them. 

The frogs were happy to share their work with everyone and continued making fractals until they cramped up from all the typing. It was a good thing they enjoyed it so much – because they would be doing it for a long time.

two frogs make fractals
creating pretty patterns
on a computer

Fractal and haibun © Stacey Guenther

Bedtime Ballads - A Haiku

when the stars flicker
it's true the moon serenades
lullabies at night

(Background, symbol, and haiku © Stacey Guenther)

Cats - An Endless Source of Entertainment and Comfort

“What greater gift than the love of a cat.”

~Charles Dickens

Feline Peeper - A Haiku

A voyeur kitty
Relaxing in the bathroom
Watches me shower

Fractal and haiku © Stacey Guenther

Blackbird's Production

 "O Blackbird! sing me something well: While all the neighbors shoot thee round, I keep smooth plats of fruitful ground, Where thou may'st warble, eat and dwell." ~Alfred Lord Tennyson

The Performance - A Haiku

Blackbird on the fence
Sings a melodious song
A garden delight

Fractal and haiku © Stacey Guenther

A Feline Villain

 “Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.” ~James Herriot

Bad Cat - A Haiku

A vampire kitty
Takes a bite of my big toe -
The little devil

(Based on Sheba biting my big toe today.)

Fractal and haiku © Stacey Guenther

It's Hard To Believe It's Almost Summer

"Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems." ~Rainer Maria Rilke

Springtide - A Haiku

A blooming crocus
Never ceases to amaze -
The dawning of spring

Fractal and haiku © Stacey Guenther

The Cat Goes Unnoticed

 "If carrots got you drunk, rabbits would be messed-up." ~Mitch Hedberg

Oblivious Rabbit - A Haiku

rabbit eating weeds
doesn't seem to notice
the cat in the window

June 7, 2022 Based on the rabbit outside our window last year that our cat Sheba was watching and growling at.

Fractal and Haiku © Stacey Guenther

A Mournful Day

 

“Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.”  ~Herman Hesse

In Memory of a Green Friend - A Haiku

farewell tall old tree

a friend in the summertime

giving us cool shade

-------

(Based on the big old tree behind our house that the homeowners' association had cut down today. That tree was many stories tall!)

Haiku and fractal © Stacey Guenther

The Ragged Woman

“Anxiety is love's greatest killer. It makes others feel as you might when a drowning man holds on to you. You want to save him, but you know he will strangle you with his panic.” ~Anais Nin 

Anxiety Dream - A Senryu

at the last minute
chosen to play the lead role
the script disappeared

This is based on a nightmare I had last night.  In the dream, a woman called to ask me to play the lead role in a play she was directing.  The original actress had called to say she couldn't come in that day.  I accepted the role.  She told me where to pick up the script so I could get my lines.  I only had a few hours to remember them.  When I went to get the script in a cubicle in an office building, I couldn't find them.  I looked everywhere but they weren't there.  I felt a lot of anxiety while dreaming.

Fractal, senryu, and dream © Stacey Guenther

Globetrotter

"I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm." ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Migration - A Haiku

A bar-tailed Godwit
Alaska to New Zealand
Travels the farthest

© Stacey Guenther