Rhonda Bronte Brown is a National Board-Certified Teacher and retired teacher/counselor whose work has appeared in Better Than Starbucks, The Trouvaille Review, Meat for Tea, The Orchards Poetry Journal and The Best Haiku 2025 international anthology and several online journals. She holds both a BS and a Master’s degree and writes children’s literature and poetry exploring nature, SEL, and STEM.
The Best Haiku Anthology international competition awards $330 USD and is sponsored and judged by the team at Haiku Crush. The 2025 submission window opens on World Ocean Day on June 8th. All forms of traditional and modern haiku are accepted in this search to publish the best.
Zephyr morning stillness rhythmic movement zephyr and leaf
Leaf-whistles Needles oscillate Psithuric wind song
Trees shimmer Yawning deeply Anticipation stirs
long-awaited hues brilliant, buff, earthy wind song
long-awaited brilliant colors fleeting
burnt, buff, earthy, ushering in sienna hues, autumn's display
1. Magnolia Blossom elegant folds beautiful and simplistic cradling life
2. Captivated sense of errantry a whispered psithurism, she catches her breath
3. Zephyr morning stillness rhythmic movement zephyr and leaf
4. Mångata sea of midnight blue whimsical images skirt Mångata pathways submitted June 8, 2025
aureate
honeyed, tawny, burnt
Autumn's play
psithurism reeds sing in the wind howling change
a gentle psithurism passes through, catching her breathe
Captivated sense of errantry a whispered psithurism she catches her breath
a sea of midnight blue whimsical images skirt along Mangata pathways
night recedes behind the stars- no thought to pending troubles tomorrow sleeps
Evening's warm hues cast a spell of tranquility
a songless world yearns for echoes of a promised aria
Morning stillness Rhythmic movement Zephyr and leaf
life lives on in bifurcating branches of generational rings
leaf-whistles, needles oscillate in a psithurism wind
misty, moisty morning hovering fog clouds kissing the dew
Deep into winter Primrose’s colors delight. Stark against the snow
Pale Season of Titivated Lace (rewrite of Winter’s Lace)
Vibrant blooms ignite against a blank canvas under brooding, iron-gray skies.
Amaryllis gazes out from the window; a periwinkle winks back, whisper-warm.
Across a stark alabaster landscape, autumn falls silent while pansies thrive.
Bleak, bitter, yet, in defiance, Narcissus lifts its radiant face for all to see.
A little ray of sunshine, burnishing a crepuscular glow, Wendy’s Gold rises.
Lucille’s Squill’s whimsical scent swirls with the turning season.
Write an imaginative landscape poem without using snow, snowy or wintry terms.
Winter's Lace cont-
Varied highs and lows, February vacillates. Snowdrops appear.
Narcissus’ beauty shines for all to see, defying winter’s hold
Colorful and sweet Pansies’ cousin, Viola, a winter survivor.
Glory-of-the-Snow, star-shaped and whimsical, greets winter’s end.
Wassailing through their quarters, Holly and Ivy sang yuletide tunes. Preening on the desert table, a bourbon-soaked fruitcake that could render a sailor drunk in minutes. And next door, the inflatable dancing Santa, now plastered like an Andy Warhol-inspired Art Deco project. TopTweetTuesday challenge.
long-awaited brilliant hues fleeting
Long awaited brilliant, burnt, tawny fleeting
Extravagant Encore dance Nature's splendor
Dancing in the wind Feels like Freedom unabated
November's finest Harvest hues Beaver's night light
seasonal shift
burnt, buff, earthy, ushering in sienna hues, autumn's display
long-awaited hues brilliant, buff, earthy wind song
seasonal shift burnt, buff, earthy, ushering in sienna hues,
aureate honeyed, tawny, burnt Autumn's play
anatomy of a tree bare for all to see, bone deep artistry
Silent church bells Once a beacon of light God's Word still rings
shopping cart battle obstacles along the aisles thanksgiving gaming
Rustling leaves, trees shiver, yawing deeply- anticipation.
Fall's first scent hovers in between the blurred lines of a seasonal shift.
Leaf whistles, needles oscillate in a psithuric wind song.
Crimson hues slip through the mizzling mist of Autumn's play.
Seasonal timing grounding roots, true friends are the rings inside.
Oneiric trails ice feathers scrape the sky
oneiric impression dancing while tomorrow sleeps
oneiric interludes beneath your pillow, lies wonderment
o·nei·ric- dream-like quality Learning to use a new word in a haiku.
black silhouette dark blues and grays rippling thoughts
haiku for lake picture @KarynCurtis21 Early morning on the lake ❄️
Imaginative trails laced with ice feathers, Puck's in the wind searching for sky treasures. Oneiric trails ice feathers scrape the sky
burnishing cerpuscular glow Earth's kiss in terrestrial embrace Cold Moon rises
As autumn falls silent under evening's snow, sheltered seeds don winter's coat below. Sleeping silently beneath winter's breath, trees fold into a counterfeit death.
A magical moment when the sun stands still, winter begins with a brisk, cold chill.
Wintry winds whistle ceaseless threnodies, glistens frosty precip melodies. Amidst frigid fields, icicles drip. Cardinals swoop midstream for a sip.
Mice tucked warmly under subnivean snow, moonbeams prance across a snowlit plateau. Betwixt two astral stars, the moon hangs bright, eerie wolf howls echo through the night.
Playful trickery, a spring bud pops its head. Winter snaps, not yet, and tucks them back to bed.
Thank you for submitting your work to The Orchards Poetry Journal. It is our great pleasure to inform you that we have selected your poem, Threnodies, for publication in our Winter 2025 issue.
Submission November 2025 Thresholds traces the transition from autumn’s waning light through the deep stillness and renewal of winter, exploring nature’s rhythms, endurance, and transformation.
I. Thresholds
Trees shimmer yawning deeply- anticipation stirs.
Autumn equinox, the balance of light and dark, time juncture converts.
Facing eastward. Fall moon on the horizon blazing golden hues.
Extravagant colors! A migratory bird's last song. Light wanes for evening.
Granting Fall's wish for an encore flower dance. Winter procrastinates.
II. Winter Solstice
motionless sun the darkest moment light breaks through
climactic pause night tide meets at Winter's gate light connects
the sun stands still, a brief magical moment winter begins
III. Winter’s Deep Sleep
first snow falling softly warm thoughts
moonbeams prance atop the subnivean zone, a gentle nightlight
winter's shield snow blanket or hoarfrost, survive or succumb
silence broken predatory footfalls winter creaks
unyielding onslaught of graupel freezing, thawing, precarious, yet
safely tucked in the between, nestled deep, all sleep
IV. Winter’s Lace
Vibrant winter blooms cast against a snowy canvas, beneath brooding skies.
Amaryllis’ view from the window, warm thoughts. Periwinkle winks in winter’s chill.
A little ray of sunshine, that banishes winter blues, Winter jasmine.
Persistence cold first snow falling Pansies thrive.
Deep into winter Primrose’s delightful colors, stand stark against the snow
Varied highs and lows, February vacillates, Snowdrops appear.
Narcissus’ beauty shines for all to see, defying winter’s hold
Colorful and sweet Pansies’ cousin, Viola, a winter survivor.
Glory-of-the-Snow, star-shaped and whimsical, greets winter’s end.
V. Threnodies
As autumn falls silent under evening's snow, sheltered seeds don winter's coat below. Sleeping silently beneath winter's breath, trees fold into a counterfeit death.
A magical moment when the sun stands still, winter begins with a brisk, cold chill.
Wintry winds whistle ceaseless threnodies, glistens frosty precip melodies. Amidst frigid fields, icicles drip. Cardinals swoop midstream for a sip.
Mice tucked warmly under subnivean snow, moonbeams prance across a snowlit plateau. Betwixt two astral stars, the moon hangs bright, eerie wolf howls echo through the night.
Playful trickery, a spring bud pops its head. Winter snaps, not yet— and tucks them back to bed.
Synopsis: When Annaleigh steps into the Cedarville Library, she never expects to see a bespectacled elephant holding a book. But when Eleanor, the library’s magical Storykeeper, disappears, Annaleigh and her friend Riley set off on an adventure through swirling aisles and skies filled with story gems. Guided by Eleanor, the girls discover that the greatest treasures are in the stories themselves.
Why am I the one to tell this story? Annaleigh and the Library of Hidden Treasures is a whimsical adventure that celebrates imagination, friendship, and the magic found in libraries. I wrote this especially for Literary Night as the elementary school counselor. For each class, I read this story, discussed how to select a library book, and encouraged students to imagine their reactions to seeing a magical elephant.
How it begins:
End Pages:[Illustration: Characters peek from book lined shelves]
PAGES 3-4 TITLE SPREAD Annaleigh and the Library of Hidden Treasures By: Rhonda Brown
PAGE 5 The Cedarville Library smelled of stories, turning pages, and ink-whispered adventures. Tiny gems twinkled in the sunlight between the shelves. Annaleigh took two small steps inside. The air inside tingled with magic. Annaleigh gasped.
PAGE 6-7 Shimmering in the sunlight stood an elephant, wearing glasses and holding a book! She winked, then, Poof! The elephant disappeared. Annaleigh peered down every aisle. Ahh, there…
Rustling leaves, trees shiver, yawing deeply- anticipation.
Fall's first scent hovers in between the blurred lines of a seasonal shift.
Leaf whistles, needles oscillate in a psithurism wind song.
Crimson hues slip through the mizzling mist of Autumn's display.
Seasonal timing grounding roots, true friends are the rings inside.
Some friendships are seasonal leaves we experience briefly. Friends who support us through several season are like sturdy branches. Still a core group of friends who offer sage advice keep you grounded. Yet, there is one more friendship that leaves a ring on your heart, the indelaible friend. The heart rings' interconnectedness and resilience are linked like an aspen grove. This frienship leaves an ingrained mark guiding your life, creating a sublte beauty that is lasting.
Plantation swing, chatty girls, the evening wanes into darkness.
moonbeams prance atop the subnivean zone, a gentle nightlight
winter's shield snow blanket or hoarfrost, survive or succumb
silence broken predatory footfalls winter creaks
relentless onslaught of graupel freezing, thawing, yet
safely tucked in the space between, all sleep
Have you ever rewritten a poem that you like even more? This poem begins softly, intrigue builds, and then the twist at the end.
A Sanguine Hope
Anticipation, to the Father's delight, Emmanuel is born.
Cosmic reveal kalpa shift in God's plan, an awakening.
A whispered tune resonated, releasing a poignant message
The dawning light of a new beginning slates our thirst.
Arousing a sanguine hope for the coming year
A salubrious optimism laced with intent, tempered.
ideas moonbeams prance atop the subnivean zone, a playful cadence (Mangata reverie or gentle nightlight)
winter's shield snow blanket or hoarfrost, survive or succumb
silence broken winter creaks footfalls (predator footfalls or fox's footfalls or red fox
tsunami of thoughts tidal waves of ideas break free, cascading downward spilling on the page
reverberating loneliness
elegant folds beautiful and simplistic cradling life
simplistic purpose elegant folds a cradle
dreams that live beneath your pillow, lie hope and wonderment
Tanka
Dreams
the night sky frolics tomorrow sleeps, dreams dance on imaginative trails, whimsy skates on golden threads, knitting our hearts together.
Captivated
sense of errantry a whispered psithurism she catches her breath
Blasting its color red vibrates against its complementary opposite.
The sound of the wind, like whispered secrets, touches a captivated heart, and in that moment, she catches her breath.
Psithurism whisper of a wooed heart suddenly she catches her breath.
the wind gently plays psithurism whisper captivating heart secrets, she catches her breath
Captivated sense of errantry a whispered psithurism she catches her breath
[His whispered secrets, like psithurism, captivated her heart as she caught her breath, feeling a sense of errantry.] feeling a sense of errantry.knight-like purpose, behavior, or performance, conducting oneself with regency
fairy fingers mysterious dichotomy touching the heart #prompt foxglove
God's encircling hand. 'But this may well be a deficiency, and a serious one, a wall that keeps' our heart from God and living in plan B. I can do it myself plan and relegate God to the back burner with excuses like God helps those who help themselves. Great insight into how I live most of the time. And when we (I) recognized our(my) failures, the lamenting flows; and yet, God will bottle all our (my) tears and wrap His protective hand around us (me). He encircles us (me) with His love and protection.
Andrew, I think I can hear Sylvia growl at me too!
Circle Back Wayward Child Raise up a child in the ways they should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.. Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.
God's love circles around like a protective hedge.
[The "hedge of protection" can be understood as a spiritual barrier against evil influences, a boundary of God's blessings, or a means of discipline and correction. Psalm 121:5: "The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand." Psalm 23, Psalms 18:2, Psalms 34:19, Psalm 140:4, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, and Psalm 139:5 also speak to themes of protection, deliverance, and God's presence in times of trouble.]
Circle of Life: Seasonal Rhythms
Autumn falls silent under the evening snow Sheltered seeds don winter's coat below Spring buds pop their heads, winter snaps not yet March winds howl for spring's warmth Worm Moon signals the nightcrawlers to rise Daylight and darkness reach duality Equilux achieved, permafrost relents Sleepy pods shed winter's dark cloak Pollinizers emit an earthy scent Spring pollinators take flight Sunrays titillate Terra's loam The impetus for life circles again
June 13, Panic
Death and Dementia
Fear and darkness abide side-by-side, hiding the old crone of despair.
Cohorts of hatred entrench themselves against the light.
Incoherent thoughts rattle the brain, searing the heart.
Stirred agitation summons dementia.
Death grins from the abyss, as the human soul withers.
Yet, darkness recoils at the Light. The old crone flees, abandoning despair. Defeated, Death returns to the abyss. Light enters, dispelling darkness.
Love’s glow lights the way, sparking hope. Life, light, and love embrace the soul.
June 5, Honoring Life:
elegant folds beautiful and simplistic cradling life
short version
simplistic purpose elegant folds a cradle
Pictures by R Bronte Brown
Seasonal Rhythms
Autumn falls silent under the evening snow Sheltered seeds don winter's coat below Spring buds pop their heads, winter snaps not yet March winds howl for spring's warmth Worm Moon signals the nightcrawlers to rise Daylight and darkness reach duality Equilux achieved, permafrost relents Sleepy pods shed winter's dark cloak Pollinizers emit an earthy scent Spring pollinators take flight Sunrays titillate Terra's loam Touching life's impetus
Extra May 16, Here is a little something extra from Beholding and Becoming by Ruth Chou Simmons 1. Rest is productive. When we don’t set the work aside, or stop making bricks, then we live as slaves rather than freed children in Christ. WE are designed to need a Savior. Hebrews 4:9-11 2. Being a doer is putting into action our heart posture. Our productivity and perseverance relies on true rest. We are fruitful for His glory because He is fruitful in us. The Book of James 3. I want God’s promises to be true for me, too. Do I deserve what I’m entitled to- based on His Word? Does unhappiness stem from the error of believing we deserve better, and that God is holding out on us. DISCONTENTMENT is a weed that grows through the cracks of disbelief. If God cared, He right the wrongs against me. Even Job had all his wealth restored and children. YES, but it wasn’t the same family or friends afterwards. God chooses what is best to restore. Luke 15:25-32 4. So much of Jesus’ ministry was done at the table: The wedding feast was the beginning; He fed the five thousand; the Lord’s supper at the end. When we get to heaven we will sit with friends, we will sit with Jesus around a banquet table. John 15:15 P. 166 5. Our esteem mirrors how we view God. Ways to improve our image of the Father: memorize scripture, stop condemning yourself, choose a high view of God ( His lovingkindness is everlasting), rehearse your identity. Ephesians 3:20 6. We trust Him to save us from spiritual bankruptcy but forget that He saves us to soul abundance. John 10:10 7. God does what he pleases to bring Himself glory (this is letting us know who HE is) while He shows His steadfast love. Ps 115:1-8 8. Your mission field is the kitchen table. It is where communication flows freely. Deut 6: 4-9 9. We can be greatly shaken, it is one of life hindrances, so take it to heart. Practice makes progress, not perfection. James Ch 1 10. God works through daily practice. You can’t see it today, wait, the Holy Spirit will surprise you. Hebrew 12:1-2
Take away: It is a journey with stop-outs along the way. When it is time, God will gently call you back in. You are not forgotten or forsaken. Strive to know the Lord, learn to love the menial task, let go of perfection, and rest in the Lord.
Thank you for these extra pieces of wisdom! I love the one about the kitchen table. I have written about the delight Scriptures this week, how God delighting in us seems a bit extra. FMF Neighbour 11
What can I say
I took care of the elderly, widow and the poor.
Yet, I feel the sting of earthly rejection
judged by their hatred of my Lord.
It is lonely down here
knowing that heaven is so close.
I’m tired of struggling
and rest for a slower pace.
But my race is not done,
so I keep on the run
till I am called to a better place.
brontebrown2 
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