#Prescott Walk 2 Granite Dells/Watson Lake
Patient Lover
This grand statue, neither made or disturbed by mankind. Carved from rock by the elements.
Gentle, knees to chest Plant in hand waiting for love Centuries elapse
He watches until his features are worn off by the wind and sand. His neck shows signs of age.
Kind-hearted, patient Captures the hearts of many Leaving him unmoved
His majestic presence, a small outcropping of the Granite Dells overlooks Watson Lake in a small state park in Prescott, AZ.
Haiban
By Marsha Ingrao 2020
3101 Watson Lake Drive, Prescott, AZ 86301
“Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.”
Henry David Thoreau
I’ve always been a walker. My husband promised me that if we moved to Prescott, AZ, he would walk with me. He has kept his promise. On Wednesday he planned an outing at Watson Lake Park.
A little over 4 miles North of downtown Prescott, the Granite Dells offer parks open year-round with unique granite rock formations, 2 small lakes, and miles upon miles of trails.
If you like to bike, there are easy mountain bike rides. Vince and I chose a leisurely hike marked by painted white dots so we wouldn’t get lost. We didn’t attempt the tough and technical terrain that the Dells provides when it comes to outdoor recreation.
Watson Lake is a “No Wake” lake. The park has free entrance on Wednesdays. On other days it is $3.00.
Because Prescott is the “other” mile-high city I get out of breath as I walk. Vince and I decided that .5 miles wouldn’t be too taxing, and it wasn’t.
Easy peasy. We met only two other sets of hikers going the opposite way. Both were friendly and stopped to talk for a second.
Looking at this picture on my phone is like watching a micro movie. You can see Vince taking a step. You can adjust it to bounce or loop making it look like Vince is dancing his way along the trail.
This guy had had enough of us hikers. I caught my foot on the rocks as I climbed down and felt happy that I didn’t fall. He threw up his hands in disgust probably wondering who could be such a klutz on an easy trail. I didn’t fall, so I guess he was trying to plug his ears when I let out a little squeal.
This is the nearest I’m getting on this post to one of Cee’s Midweek Macro/Closeups Challenge.
Endlessly watching Reflecting hikers onward Growing old with grace Traditional Haiku - Marsha Ingrao 2020
These shots are a dime a dozen on the internet if you Google Granite Dells, but only this one is a picture of Vince taking a picture with his new phone. We both felt incredibly free, retired, vacationers.
Island-dotted lake displaying high water marks calm this winter day Traditional Haiku - Marsha Ingrao 2020
As I looked at this rock, the sun peeked over the edge. Quickly, as though I was photographing a flighty bird, I aimed my phone directly into the sun. Gotcha.
On another day rocks would be under water minerals growing Traditional Haiku - Marsha Ingrao 2020
No lake is complete without ducks. Even the cold weather didn’t chase them away just yet. If they get too cold, they can fly to Phoenix or Tucson and be warm. No need to go further south than that. The temperature was a cool 57 with a brisk chilly breeze.
Last picture today. We actually went to three more places to walk around and I have about 60 pictures. However, when I loaded them automatically into One Drive, they loaded as HEIC files instead of JPEG. I learned that is an incredibly efficient file for storing photos that is not compatible with Microsoft or outside software programs like Photoshop. This morning I downloaded these select few photos manually into One Drive, and they loaded as JPEG, a usable file for these purposes.
I hope you enjoyed Vince’s and my Prescott Walk #1 in the Granite Dells. Have a wonderful week.
- Begin the haibun with a title. The title should hint at something barely noticeable in the beginning which comes together by the ending.
- Your haibun prose can be written in present or past tense including, first person (I), third person (he/she), or first-person plural (we).
- Subject matter: autobiographical prose, travel journal, a slice of life, memory, dream, character sketch, place, event, or object. Focus on one or two elements.
- Keep your prose simple, all excessive words should be pared down or deleted. Nothing should be overstated.
- The length can be brief with one or two sentences with a haiku, or longer prose with a haiku sandwiched between, to longer memoir works including many haiku.
- There are different Haibun styles: Idyll: (One prose paragraph and one haiku) haiku/prose, or prose/haiku; Verse Envelope: haiku/prose/haiku; Prose Envelope: prose/haiku/prose, including alternating prose and verse elements of your choice.
- The prose tells the story and gives the information which helps to define the theme. It creates a mood through tone, paving the way for the haiku.
- The haiku should act as a comparison—different yet somehow connected to the prose, as it moves the story forward by taking the narrative in another direction.
- The haiku should not attempt to repeat, quote, or explain the prose. Instead, the haiku resolves the conflict in an unexpected way. Sometimes, the haiku questions the resolution of the prose. While the prose is the narrative, the haiku is the revelation or the reaction.
- For more poetry results, check out Colleen’s Tanka Tuesday Poet’s Choice.
- For more walks, check out Jo’s Monday Walk.
- Don’t forget to check out this week’s #WQWWC #1 Light or Lights.
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
Your babbling is music to my ears. Please leave a comment!