A Thought

    Dan Hardison


Artist book containing the poem "A Thought". Constructed with original art, handmade paper, and sealed with archival wax medium. (one-of-a-kind, 7.5" x 7" closed, 7.5" x 12" opened flat.

The Wise Owl
November 2023

Closure

    Closure

    The day is ending
    with the obscurity of night
    light fades into the darkness
    with the last flicker
    of what is left behind
    like regrets and achievements
    fading into memory.

    — Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
February 2024

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.

    — Dan Hardison


Calliope
Summer 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.

    — 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

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.

    — Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
March 2025

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.

    — Dan Hardison


The Ravens Perch
February 2025

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.

    — Dan Hardison


Calliope
Spring Edition, 2025

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)

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.

    — Dan Hardison

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.

    — Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
December 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.

— Dan Hardison


The Ravens Perch
October 2024

Lady Moon

    Lady Moon

    As curtains are drawn on the day
    and nighttime descends all about,
    she graces us with her presence.

    A bit shy at first, she is hardly noticed,
    but in time she makes herself known,
    boldly coming forth for all to see.

    Through the night she watches over us
    casting her light with faint shadows
    until morning comes
        to usher her off to rest.

— Dan Hardison


The Ravens Perch
October 2024

Longing

    Longing

    dormant
    skeletal trees
    and sleeping roots and bulbs
    all awaiting resurrection
    in spring

— Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
Daily Verse 2023

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

    Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

    We think back on days past
      and still remember
        the less pleasant ones.

    We might wish we could go back
      and change the past
        to hand-picked yesterdays.

    But if we changed the past
      moments we cherish today
        might be lost.

    Better to choose our memories
      and live for a better
        tomorrow.

— Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
September 2024

The Year Ending

    The Year Ending

    Sorting through accumulated things,
    and placing them in a box:
    a journal,
    photographs,
    notes on scraps of paper,
    a scribbled-on calendar,
    greeting cards,
    colorful sea shells,
    a leaf between folded paper.
    Bits and pieces gathered
    along the journey of the year ending.

    Although we welcome the new year
    there is a touch of longing
    for the time that has passed.

— Dan Hardison


The Ravens Perch
October 2024

Brightening

    Brightening

    The flowers had arrived
    for no specific reason
    except to brighten the day.

    After several days
    of being lovely
    they now look weary.

    The petals of the lilies
    are already gone
    as are most of the daisies.

    Leaves are turning brown,
    but the roses
    are still hanging on.

    So out comes the wilted
    and the tattered,
    the rest a bit of trimming.

    Now for a smaller vase,
    some fresh water,
    and a bit of arranging.

    For just a few minutes time
    there is a new bright spot
    in a brighter day.

— Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
September 2024

Concealed

    Concealed

    the earth
    warmer than air
    spinning a pearly veil
    cloaking everything within sight
    in mist

— Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
Daily Verse 2023

Hopeful

    Hopeful

    There has been rain for days
    and even weary flowers
    are longing for the sun.

    Finally the rain stops
    and through a break in the clouds
    the arch of a rainbow is revealed –
        a promise.

— Dan Hardison

For those in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.


The Wise Owl
May 2024

Waning Summer

    Waning Summer

    Shadows stretch longer
    slanting across the landscape
    as days grow shorter.

    The evening sun
    flaming in amazement
    as it drops on the horizon.

    Mornings awake
    from longer nights
    to a fine veil of pearly mist.

    Garden blooms are fewer
    as cornstalks and gourds
    join rust-colored wreaths.

    Nuts and burnished leaves
    are covering the ground
    as the air turns cooler.

    A dazzling display
    of elemental colors
    as autumn beckons.

— Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
October Daily Verse 2024

Safe Haven

    Safe Haven

    The day is very hot
    with a chance of thunderstorms.

    As predicted, it begins to turn dark
    and then a distant rumble.

    As it grows darker,
    the sound of thunder grows louder.

    Then suddenly, a flash of light
    followed by a loud boom.

    Once the shock is gone
    comes the sound of rain

    with the dog and cat
    together in my lap.

— Dan Hardison


The Ravens Perch
May 2024