September 12, 2026
August 29, 2026
Embraced
Embraced
A storm rolled through last night
that shook the house with thunder,
sent rain drumming across the roof,
and wind howling through the trees.
After the storm had passed
and the light of day had come
it was time to survey the aftermath
of what the storm had left.
Venturing out for a walk
all appeared to be well
but then I saw it . . .
a tree branch had fallen.
Only the branch
never reached the ground
but was caught by a lower branch
and now they clung to each other.
The branches now embraced
were holding to each other
like lovers refusing to part
hoping to weather the next storm.
A storm rolled through last night
that shook the house with thunder,
sent rain drumming across the roof,
and wind howling through the trees.
After the storm had passed
and the light of day had come
it was time to survey the aftermath
of what the storm had left.
Venturing out for a walk
all appeared to be well
but then I saw it . . .
a tree branch had fallen.
Only the branch
never reached the ground
but was caught by a lower branch
and now they clung to each other.
The branches now embraced
were holding to each other
like lovers refusing to part
hoping to weather the next storm.
August 15, 2026
August 1, 2026
Penmanship
Postcard: Appalachian Scenic Highway, Crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains
Linen Era (1930-1945), postmarked 1941
Linen Era (1930-1945), postmarked 1941
Penmanship
For the young person
who stood staring blankly
at the old postcard
the message on the back
could have been written
in a foreign language.
Maybe a form of shorthand
or it could be encrypted,
perhaps an ancient glyph
whose cypher has been lost,
certainly a long-ago language
now impossible to comprehend.
But I remember school days
spent learning to write in cursive
practicing the joining of letters
to create a flowing script
patterned after the alphabet
in cursive hanging on the wall.
The postcard with its words
elegantly and painstakingly
written from edge to edge
whether ornamental or elegant,
conventional or personal in style,
is now in need of a translator.
— Dan Hardison
For the young person
who stood staring blankly
at the old postcard
the message on the back
could have been written
in a foreign language.
Maybe a form of shorthand
or it could be encrypted,
perhaps an ancient glyph
whose cypher has been lost,
certainly a long-ago language
now impossible to comprehend.
But I remember school days
spent learning to write in cursive
practicing the joining of letters
to create a flowing script
patterned after the alphabet
in cursive hanging on the wall.
The postcard with its words
elegantly and painstakingly
written from edge to edge
whether ornamental or elegant,
conventional or personal in style,
is now in need of a translator.
— Dan Hardison
Translation:
Took a seven mile
hike up the mtn.
to a place called
the Eagle’s Nest &
am still alive to tell
the story. This is
lovely country & I’m
having a grand time
taking in the sights.
Eleanore
Took a seven mile
hike up the mtn.
to a place called
the Eagle’s Nest &
am still alive to tell
the story. This is
lovely country & I’m
having a grand time
taking in the sights.
Eleanore
July 5, 2026
June 28, 2026
A Boy Feeds the Koi
A Boy Feeds the Koi
The people passing by
are no strangers to the koi
living in the pond;
anyone and everyone
is a friend in waiting.
As a young boy
approached the water’s edge
the surface erupted;
fish of all colors and sizes
congregated at his feet.
As the koi jostled for position
the boy took a handful
of fish kibble and skimmed it
across the water’s surface
sending them into a frenzy.
The boy and the fish dancing
to music only they could hear
a call and response again and again
until the food was gone and they
each took a bow and fell silent.
The people passing by
are no strangers to the koi
living in the pond;
anyone and everyone
is a friend in waiting.
As a young boy
approached the water’s edge
the surface erupted;
fish of all colors and sizes
congregated at his feet.
As the koi jostled for position
the boy took a handful
of fish kibble and skimmed it
across the water’s surface
sending them into a frenzy.
The boy and the fish dancing
to music only they could hear
a call and response again and again
until the food was gone and they
each took a bow and fell silent.
— Dan Hardison
Image: Carp with Wisteria by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi
woodblock 1889
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Ekphrastic Review
June 2026
Image: Carp with Wisteria by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi woodblock 1889
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Ekphrastic Review
June 2026
June 20, 2026
May 10, 2026
On the River
On the River
From the bank of the river
he sets out for an afternoon
of fishing with his wife
and young daughters.
Whatever they catch
will be that night’s dinner
with cornbread, potatoes,
and corn-on-the-cob.
When shadows start to swallow
the trees along the river
he guides the flat-bottom boat
back to the riverbank.
They wearily walk in silence
up the bank to the house
to begin preparing their meal
of fried chicken.
From the bank of the river
he sets out for an afternoon
of fishing with his wife
and young daughters.
Whatever they catch
will be that night’s dinner
with cornbread, potatoes,
and corn-on-the-cob.
When shadows start to swallow
the trees along the river
he guides the flat-bottom boat
back to the riverbank.
They wearily walk in silence
up the bank to the house
to begin preparing their meal
of fried chicken.
— Dan Hardison
"On the River" was created as a handmade accordion artist book containing the poem above. Constructed with original art, photographs, handmade paper, and sealed with archival wax medium. (one-of-a-kind, 8.5” x 8.5” closed, 8.5” x 38.75” opened flat, includes paper portfolio)
View the complete artist book as a PDF
"On the River" was created as a handmade accordion artist book containing the poem above. Constructed with original art, photographs, handmade paper, and sealed with archival wax medium. (one-of-a-kind, 8.5” x 8.5” closed, 8.5” x 38.75” opened flat, includes paper portfolio)
View the complete artist book as a PDF
April 25, 2026
April 11, 2026
March 28, 2026
The Search
The Search
I will search until someday
I find you again.
And even as I grow old
I know you will be there.
So, I will search until I find
the dream I left behind.
Lost when I was young
and carefree.
I will search until someday
I find you again.
And even as I grow old
I know you will be there.
So, I will search until I find
the dream I left behind.
Lost when I was young
and carefree.
March 1, 2026
Winter’s Tease
Winter’s Tease
The last days of winter
filled with ice and snow
have brought a longing
for springtime.
But today feels like spring
with its warm air and sunshine,
and a sense of renewal
that has long been absent.
Today has brought what
we have been longing for,
but tomorrow will be
just another winter day.
The cold and gloom
will feel even worse
after winter’s tease
of what will be.
The last days of winter
filled with ice and snow
have brought a longing
for springtime.
But today feels like spring
with its warm air and sunshine,
and a sense of renewal
that has long been absent.
Today has brought what
we have been longing for,
but tomorrow will be
just another winter day.
The cold and gloom
will feel even worse
after winter’s tease
of what will be.
February 7, 2026
Within, Around, and Through
Within, Around, and Through
The wind came racing
through the trees today
but there is no summer left
only bare limbs remain.
Swirling, searching
through the emptiness –
nothing left to take away
only loneliness to be found.
And the wind will dream
for the time to come again
of waving boughs of green
that brush the sky of blue.
The wind came racing
through the trees today
but there is no summer left
only bare limbs remain.
Swirling, searching
through the emptiness –
nothing left to take away
only loneliness to be found.
And the wind will dream
for the time to come again
of waving boughs of green
that brush the sky of blue.
January 17, 2026
Cup of Sunshine
Cup of Sunshine
Beyond the kitchen window
an icy wind swirls snow
in a wintry landscape.
The kettle whistles
signally it is time
for a cup of tea.
A spicy aroma rises
from the fragrant pond
steaming in my cup.
Sipping now this potion
thoughtfully brewed
and greatly appreciated.
Beyond the kitchen window
an icy wind swirls snow
in a wintry landscape.
The kettle whistles
signally it is time
for a cup of tea.
A spicy aroma rises
from the fragrant pond
steaming in my cup.
Sipping now this potion
thoughtfully brewed
and greatly appreciated.
January 3, 2026
Bamboo with Ladybug
(colored pencil)
7" x 5"
Donated to PAE26
To benefit people afflicted by Alzheimer's
The Hague, Netherlands
Opening Exhibition and Sale, June 6, 2026
(Postcard Art Exhibit, formally TAE)
(colored pencil)
7" x 5"
Donated to PAE26
To benefit people afflicted by Alzheimer's
The Hague, Netherlands
Opening Exhibition and Sale, June 6, 2026
(Postcard Art Exhibit, formally TAE)
December 20, 2025
Poem for Redbird
Poem for Redbird
I always think that the best way
to know God is to love many things.
— Vincent Van Gogh
In spring and summer
I barely noticed you
among the flower blooms.
When autumn came
you blended in with the
brightly colored leaves.
But in winter
with bare branches
and snow covered ground
you were still there
bringing beauty and comfort
like a lullaby in the night.
There are those who believe
that you have been sent
by loved ones now departed.
But this I know
there is a word you represent
and that word is love.
I always think that the best way
to know God is to love many things.
— Vincent Van Gogh
In spring and summer
I barely noticed you
among the flower blooms.
When autumn came
you blended in with the
brightly colored leaves.
But in winter
with bare branches
and snow covered ground
you were still there
bringing beauty and comfort
like a lullaby in the night.
There are those who believe
that you have been sent
by loved ones now departed.
But this I know
there is a word you represent
and that word is love.
— Dan Hardison
December 7, 2025
While I Wasn't Looking
While I Wasn't Looking
It has been several days
since I passed this way
and gazed upon the maple tree.
Now as I approach
with a chill in the air
I see things have changed.
The leaves of scarlet and gold
have taken flight
and lie on the ground.
While I wasn't looking
the seasons changed
and now it is a winter tree.
It has been several days
since I passed this way
and gazed upon the maple tree.
Now as I approach
with a chill in the air
I see things have changed.
The leaves of scarlet and gold
have taken flight
and lie on the ground.
While I wasn't looking
the seasons changed
and now it is a winter tree.
October 12, 2025
Two of Us
Two of Us
for Pixie
The dog is in the yard
and wanders around sniffing
then stops and looks around.
Now she appears confused,
I stepped back inside the house
and she cannot find me.
Her hearing is almost gone
and her eyesight is failing,
age is taking its toll.
She takes a few steps, stops,
the head turning side to side
then moving again, searching.
I move towards her now
and when close, she sees me,
then starts walking towards me.
I can imagine a sigh of relief
as she follows me to the house
safe again by my side.
Her unflinching eyes look at me
as if I am all the world to her,
but she is everything to me.
Yet I know the day will come
when I will have to walk
with loneliness by my side.
for Pixie
The dog is in the yard
and wanders around sniffing
then stops and looks around.
Now she appears confused,
I stepped back inside the house
and she cannot find me.
Her hearing is almost gone
and her eyesight is failing,
age is taking its toll.
She takes a few steps, stops,
the head turning side to side
then moving again, searching.
I move towards her now
and when close, she sees me,
then starts walking towards me.
I can imagine a sigh of relief
as she follows me to the house
safe again by my side.
Her unflinching eyes look at me
as if I am all the world to her,
but she is everything to me.
Yet I know the day will come
when I will have to walk
with loneliness by my side.
July 6, 2025
On a Summer Day
On a Summer Day
Down at the river
where the water is calm
kids have gathered
playing and laughing.
On the bank of the river
in a lowly puddle
birds have gathered
splashing and singing.
Down at the river
where the water is calm
kids have gathered
playing and laughing.
On the bank of the river
in a lowly puddle
birds have gathered
splashing and singing.
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