Author Archives: brontebrown2

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.

March / Haiku and more/ By RL Brown

Moons of March

Sky looks down on earth
with the dark eye of a new moon,
spring winks at the stars. 

Seeds shed winter's shield
roots stretch in fertile dirt-
March howls for spring's warmth.

Loam stirs, breaking free-
muddling nightcrawlers rise
under the worm moon. 

Foretoken of spring
Marsh marigolds in damp fields
Hoverflies delight

Terrestrial tides collide 
rising high, but twice a year.
sun and moon poised.

A morrowless day
arriving on the equinox
perfectly balanced. 

Sugar Moon shines down-
sweet maples release sap
as March winds breathe change.
Photo by Kieren Ridley on Pexels.com
Sugar Moon shines down-
sweet maples release sap
as March winds breathe change. #haikusaturday
Bordering Mamaw’s cotton field
Besides Mamma's fence
To my backyard
Daffodils.
#HaikuSaturday 
repost from #haikuseed
Longing for a sidewalk stroll
along the storefronts of a –
five-and-dime
boutique
coffee house
with friends
 . . .mask less.
Misty moisty mizzling
Wintry winds whistling
Slinging sleet. #HaikuSaturday

https://brontebrown2.com/2022/03/12/march-2022-submission-trouvaille-review/

April/ Haiku/ ETC by RL Brown


 
The Afghan thirteen
fallen, betrayed, left behind-
death's grim triumph.
Spring

Slipping through 
the morning's dew
sunlight cracks the dawn 

chee-pippety-chee
songbirds greet morning’s first light with an
arias of praise

kitty's in the weeds
a blue jay’s catcall-warning,
a tail twitching taunt

cool zephyr breeze
flows over tender grasses 
goose pimples giggle.

a rye bluegrass mix,
tickles bare feet, 
soothing the soul
doubly comfy, Ahhh- (45)

rudbeckia titters 
roots stretch in fertile earth.
Pollinizers play.

dainty wings unfurled,
Diana Fritillary-
dances atop blooms.

deep within earth's roots
generational stories
intertwine 

hurricane prelude
whirlybirds in the wind
bliss ignorance

wrapped by clouded storms, 
dark tornado 
sounds of March winds.


rudbeckia titters 
roots stretching in fecund dirt,
Pollinizers play.  revision for haiku dialogue

dainty wings unfurled,
Diana Fritillary-
dances atop blooms.

submissions Haiku Dialogue/Troutswirl
Dark Tornado
Wrapped in clouded storms, blinding,
Sounds of a freight train. 
April 11, 2022
kitty in the weeds
bluejay's catcall
a tail twitching taunt #HaikuSeed taunt
Cool zephyr breeze
over tender grasses 
stuck between the toes
goose pimples giggle. 
Photo by RL Brown
Dainty wings unfurled,
Diana Fritillary-
dances atop blooms.  #haikuseed butterfly
Picturesque shapes
lurking among cracked shadows-
craggy contours 
#HaikuSeed cracked
Shoulder surgery-
torrents of pain downpour,
to a clench stillness. 
OUCH! #HaikuSeed downpour
My thoughts trail behind
as I pass through the doorway,
forgotten.  #HaikuSeed
Deep within my roots,
generational stories
intertwined.
 #HaikuSaturday #haiku #haikuseed
Mississippi Oak on the coast.

Morning Coffee

Coffee (or tea) can mean something different to each person. For some people, it is the aroma that wakens the morning senses; for others, it is downing the first cup that kick starts the day. For others, coffee is the elixir necessary for clarity of vision. without it, the newspaper would be useless. With all its sensual clues, one still has to acclimate to coffee’s bitter taste. But once you find the right blend, coffee is your friend.

Morning coffee is a bit like life with all the sweet, savory, bitter, sour bits, and yet when blended with the perfect pairing, satisfying. (Coffee and a donut)

Time to tie that morning coffee with awakening to God. Life is full of flavor, emotion, sight, sound, and meaning. Walking with God in the light of His Word brings a perfect pairing to healing old wounds, finding a grateful attitude, a sense of worth, and blessings during trials. Bitterness, saucy tongues, doubt, and more will be a part of this life but God’s Word is the perfect pairing to counter life’s bitterness.

Photo by Chevanon Photography on Pexels.com

Spring Showers

Spring sings,
“Birds, sing your morning song.
Praising Him to whom we belong.
Wind, blow the seeds.
Loam, provide their needs.
Clouds water the flowers.
It’s time for God’s showers.”

We sing the Singer’s gospel message, praising the one who saved us. Holy Spirit is our guide to plant the gospel message in another’s heart. God waters and causes the seed to grow. Spring calls us to sing His gospel message.

I moved my younger brother into a nursing home. He is my brother, but the burden was heavy. It made my heart sad. Yet, he had a remarkable recovery from the time he entered till I left.

The word the last week was easy. It was not easy to pack up his belongings, clean out his home, essentially his life, and store them. Yet, it reminded me not to put store in the things of this world.

We let temporal things measure the sum of our lives. Yet, the sum of how we live has an eternal value.

Spring Sings! By RL Brown

Spring Fling Contest 2022/ revised for another submission

    Winter howls at Spring like a middle schooler's biological clock clanks.      
 "It's too early," Winter yawns. 
"Autumn has arrived in the southern hemisphere," says Spring.          
"Not yet." Winter flops back, adding another blanket of snow.        
"The Cold Moon will be full soon," says Spring, offering Winter an enticement. 
Spring knows Winter loves to hang out with Cold Moon on the longest night of the inverted season.        
 "Okay, I'm up." Winter sits very still, blowing another chilly breeze.      
"Come along," says Blizzard. Winter stands and stretches.      
"I see you've been at work. It's a resplendent day in pastel hues," Winter says to Spring. 
"Thank you, Winter."  Winter bows, whispering, "See you next year." 
Spring smiles, turning to the Sun, "It's time to melt the crusty earth and direct your rays to tickle the fertile dirt."      
"As you wish," replies Sun. 
Zephyr carries the seeds. 
Loam provides for their needs. 
Clouds water fertile dirt. 
Bouquets rise from the Earth.
https://giphy.com/gifs/flower-rain-spring-QunbrgyjvLJblE8OcM

11 responses to “Spring Sings! By RL Brown”

  1. My Life in Our Father's World Avatar
    My Life in Our Father’s World

    Fun poem

    Like

    Reply
  2. katiefischerwrites Avatar
    katiefischerwrites

    I like how you had winter and spring talking with each other, it’s so true how it feels like it flip flops between the two in early spring.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Molly Ippolito Avatar
    Molly Ippolito

    So different and unique! Good luck to you!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. brontebrown2 Avatar
    brontebrown2

    Thank you, and good luck to you also!

    Like

    Reply
  5. kathalsey Avatar
    kathalsey

    A word dance as per your usual poetic work, Very original POV.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. brontebrown2 Avatar
      brontebrown2

      Thanks for the encouragement-

      Like

      Reply
  6. brontebrown2 Avatar
    brontebrown2

    Thank you

    Like

    Reply
  7. seschipper Avatar
    seschipper

    Nice job! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Deborah Williams Avatar
    Deborah Williams

    Fun way to show the transition of the seasons! Great job!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. chardixon47 Avatar
    chardixon47

    Love the personification of the two seasons. So poetic and playful! Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. March Poems 2025 | brontebrown2 Avatar
    March Poems 2025 | brontebrown2

    […] Spring Sings! By RL Brown […]

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The Hummingbird

Trouvaille Review, March 23, 2022 Publication 

The Hummingbird

Swiftest things that run the world,
Hums and beats, their wings unfurled.
Hummingbirds need constant fuel.
Brilliant blooms attract this jewel.
Forward, backward, upside down.
These dashing (feisty) fliers zip around.
 
Golden flowers brilliant blooms
Entice birds with shiny plumes.
Blazing Star to Geranium,
Coral Bells to Delphinium.
Flower meadows, patchwork plots,
Scattered seeds in local lots.

Ode to Childhood

Hopscotch with seas shells 
and whirlybirds in the air,
singing weeee and swinging high
swing high, flying free, 
landing barfoot in the grass

Cousins taking turns
Counting to one hundred
hands in sync, 
switching without missing a beat
the ice cream maker's hand-crank 
keeps churing.  

Walking with cousins
Playing with friends, 
hoping summer will never end.

No school, outside and free,
it is time just to be me.
Gliding on the porch swing, a bowl in my lap 
shelling peas with purple fingers-
I prefer to snap green beans, please.

Straight from the garden, a summer snack.
Chores done, potatoes stored in the shack.
Childhood summers make me wish for more,
tree climbing, river-side camping 
on a sandy shore
and so much more.
METADATA-START

The Afghan Thirteen by RL Brown

The Afghan Thirteen by RL Brown 

The pulse is weak,
a vanishing vapor,
Thanatos grins when
breathing ceased.

Death's grim triumph-
of the Afghan thirteen,
fallen, betrayed, 
left behind. 

A country's demise 
by the hands of a few 
won't be forgotten. 
America's heart bleeds.  

Hope hurts and hope heals, 
shattering the grip of hate-
past and present repeat. 
(1776)

Carry No More

Tears flow deep,
watered by roots of despair.
Let them grow no more.

Breathe the sunlit air.
Uproot weeds watered by tears.
Heart stirs, plant anew.
(Senryu) 



We plant roots deep in His Word, 
our faith in Jesus, and 
hearts attuned to the Holy Spirit 
then let God carry our burdens.  
Tears flow deep within
nourished by roots of despair.
Breathe the sunlit air
uproots weeds watered by tears
As your soul stirs, plant anew.
(Tanka) 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
8 For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not [a]fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8

Published Poetry/ Haikus and more

Mångata@haikugenius.ai/adbeia8aa
*Zephyr*  The Best Haiku 2025 international anthology. 
Zephyr @haikugenius.ai/adbeia8aa

Meat for Tea/ The Valley Review Volume 19 Issue 1 pg. 46

Fairytale Fishin’

No buckets, no boats, 
And no carrying large totes,
Just Grandpa and me. 

A pole in each hand
Grasshoppers by the pond bank.
Gramps catches our bait.

A nibble, a tug.
Feel the line, ignore the bug-
Wait-then jerk the hook-

A flip-flopping, splash, 
reeling in a big fat bass

(Excerpt from a Kid’s Tale 
by RL Brown)


Congratulations! Your poem "Fairytale Fishin'"was selected to be a part of the 2022/23 Conway Public Poetry Project installations. 

In the coming months, we will be working with the City of Conway to install these poems in various locations around the community.

We are also working on a booklet that will contain the poems, their locations, and information about each poet

Sponsored by Blackbird Art Collective, Conway AR
A Pastoral Cacophony

As morning’s first blush slips through the mizzling mist, dawn’s chorus begins. The woodland world wakes, nestlings fluff their feathers, squish together and listen to their twitter song.

Blackbirds sing a low mellow tone blending choral notes to a day-spring chant. Red-breasted robins' antiphonal tweets twitter back and forth. A cool zephyr breezes through the budding trees, and a hermit thrush adds a rhythmic woodwind harmony.

Chee-pippety-chee-chee, Jenny wren joins in with a light peppy lilt, stepping up the beat. Colorful warblers echo a descant as tiny rainbows shimmer in twilight’s dew. A Capella chorus in one voice sings a spring aria.


A blue jay’s catcall
signals a tail twitching taunt,
kitty in the weeds.
My inspiration for this poem came one spring morning while listening to bird songs at dawn's light. The slow build of antiphonal tweets and the sudden end, orchestrated by my cat reminded me of Bolero by Ravel. 
Better Than Starbucks
Poetry and Fiction Journal 
November 2022
Vol VII No IV
Rhonda Bronte Brown is a retired counselor/teacher who lives in Arkansas. She was published in Better Than Starbucks, the Trouvaille Review, and Haiku Seed Journal in February and March 2022. She also writes children’s books. Find her online at https://brontebrown2.com.
Better Than Starbucks Poetry and Fiction Journal November 2022
Vol VII No IV
Haiku: by R Bronte Brown 
Winter folds a tree-  
into a counterfeit death 
gray, boney, lifeless. 
Better than Starbucks, February 2022 Publication p. 41 
Editor's comment: Stark, powerful and tied to the four seasons.
Haiku Seed Journal @HaikuSeed_ Featuring these wonderful #haiku for the #HaikuSeed "winter"  

spring buds pop their heads, 
february trickery, 
winter snaps, not yet! 

#HaikuSeed / 24 Feb, 2022 winter   
All I can think of is an adult snapping at their children who were sneakily playing video games under their blankets instead of sleeping. Loved the playfulness of the writer and the haiku, there is a wholesome nature to it that brings out a smile.
— Sankara Jayanth
Editor, Haiku Seed Journal
@coffeeandhaiku
Trouvaille Review, February 15, 2022 Publication

The Dignity of Winter by R Bronte Brown 

Wind rustles the leaves. 
Trees shimmer yawning deeply, 
Anticipation.
 
Autumn equinox,
the balance of light and dark,
time juncture converts. 
 
Turn your face eastward.
Fall moon on the horizon
blazing golden hues.
 
Extravagant colors!
A migratory bird's last song.
Light wanes for evening.
 
Winter grants Fall's wish
for an encore flower dance,
frost procrastinates.
 
Nature splendor yields 
a harvest of abundance, 
Thankfulness expressed. 
 
Inner autumn calls,
time to embrace season’s change.
The wind howls for rest.
 
Winter winds whistling
Indian Summer's last stance
Bowing gracefully
 
Winter’s dignity
Lifeless trees quiet strength
Autumn seeds nestled deep-

Sheltered. 

From Bronte Brown:
morning’s blush
slips through
the mizzling mist


The Haiku Pond 🍃
@TheHaikuPond

Aug 13,2022
You can listen on your favorite podcast app or here: http://anthonynanfito.com/2022/08/14/a-waterfalls-purpose/
Trouvaille Review, March 23, 2022 Publication

The Hummingbird
Swiftest things that run the world,
Hums and beats, their wings unfurled.
Hummingbirds need constant fuel.
Brilliant blooms attract this jewel.
Forward, backward, upside down.
These dashing fliers zip around.
 
Golden flowers brilliant blooms
Entice birds with shiny plumes.
Blazing Star to Geranium,
Coral Bells to Delphinium.
Flower meadows, patchwork plots,
Scattered seeds in local lots.