The Dragonfly Whisperer: Collected Haiku

By Steve K. Bertrand

Steve K. Bertrand's book "The Dragonfly Whisperer: Collected Haiku" is a compilation of 1,000 poems. Inspired by the rich imagery of the Pacific Northwest, Bertrand explores the physical nature and human nature of the region through poetry. An award-winning poet, historian and photographer, Bertrand is the author of over thirty-five books. His books are available on Amazon.com Books. In his free time, Bertrand enjoys family, friends and the wonders of the state of Washington.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796054644

Steve K. Bertrand

For this pictorial history of Paine Field, Steve K. Bertrand has selected more than 200 images from the local community, historical societies, regional libraries, and state archives. He has traced the rich history of Paine Field from its earliest days to its present status as a bustling airport and commercial aviation center. These photographs provide a glimpse into the people and events that influenced this small community in the Pacific Northwest.

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Copyright © 2019 by Steve K. Bertrand.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 09/24/2019

Xlibris

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For James Walker

"Whisper a wish to a dragonfly; and it will

fly up to heaven and make it come true."

Preface

The Dragonfly Whisperer will tell you

all you need to know about dragonflies.

How they go way back in the fossil records,

300 million years,

& predate dinosaurs, that

during the Cretaceous period,

they were the size of hawks,

four wings & six legs,

but don’t walk,

fierce predators of other insects,

like butterflies, mosquitoes & moths,

serrated teeth, the toothed one.

They are gifted with incredible vision,

but cannot hear,

thirty thousand eyes within an eye,

life expectancy – but a year.

Five thousand species on the earth –

black petaltail, blue dasher, green darner,

red-veined darter.

To Native Americans, they symbolize

purity & happiness;

&, the key to coaxing dragonflies

onto your finger

is patience & those long-ago whispers

& sighs –

sun… water… meadow… wildflowers…

Those simple childhood joys.

Yes,

happiness attracts & lifts most dragonflies.

Steve K. Bertrand

Dragonfly whisperer –

coaxes dragonflies to tip

of his finger.

Late autumn –

snow geese flying low

above cat-tailed marsh…

Best beetle

live beneath damp log, than

eaten by starling.

Cranberry Lake -

Paddle-tailed Darner perched

on Salmonberry bush.

Talking on my cell phone,

crow –

listening…

And, after

the cherry’s last blossom fell –

he died.

Her life –

too long staring down

a dry well.

And what of

the warrior, if there were

no wars?

First to break

the garden’s soil –

peony.

Tossing crow

a piece of apple, he snatches it

& flies away…

After the snowmelt,

when river runs its purest –

she drinks.

Dog at the end

of my bed has fleas,

now – me.

So many people

on the sandy beach watching –

one ship.

So beautiful,

bullfrog’s song, owl has stopped hooting

to listen…

Late August –

the jasmine-scented

night.

And, after

she died, the sea she loved –

ebbed & flowed…

I’m warning you –

don’t pester crow;

he’ll get even!

What will it be today,

hummingbird – Crocosmia

or nectar feeder?

The old man,

who mowed lawns in the neighborhood,

has died.

Mount Rainier,

tell me, how long till

you blow your top?

She is lonely:

& yet – turns away at

the slightest touch.

His old Army boots –

worn

when he works in the garden.

Her heart –

light as

the cricket’s song.

Limb of apple tree

infested with caterpillars –

cut away.