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

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.

    — Dan Hardison


The Ravens Perch
February 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.

    — 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

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.

— Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
September Edition 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

Adoring

    Adoring

    ― After Mary Oliver

    While out for a walk
    my dog likes to stop
    and smell the flowers.

    Oh I know dogs
    like to smell
    for other dogs.

    But she likes
    to have her wet nose
    touching the blooms.

    Like a bee
    moving from blossom
    to blossom.

    I have to wonder
    if she loves the flowers
    as much as I do.

— Dan Hardison

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

Yesterdays

    Yesterdays

    for CC

    The moment you appeared
    mouthy and sassy,
    full of feline eccentrics,
    you had won us over.

    You never gave any thought
    of adapting to our way of life –
    it is we who adapted
    to your ways.

    Now when arriving home,
    I still expect to see you
    sitting in the window waiting
    with an air of indifference.

    Little things that meant so much
    gone now never to be again.

— Dan Hardison


The Ravens Perch
October 2024

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

A Christmas Tale

    A Christmas Tale

    It is the day after Christmas
      and the tree stands in the corner,
        lights flickering on the ceiling.

    Windows alight with candles,
      the wreath hangs on the door
        a nativity graces a side table.

    Gone are the colorful cookies and candy,
      the aroma of evening meals
        with family and friends.

    I bundle up for a walk with the dog.
      Outside all is quiet
        not ready to return to normal.

    Making our way along the sidewalk,
      we pass an old man walking
        in the opposite direction.

    He is stocky with white hair and beard,
      his step quick and confident.
        We nod to each other as we pass.

    A few more steps and I stop.
      There is something familiar
        in his bright eyes and slight smile.

    I turn around and he is gone,
      the sidewalk deserted,
        no one is stirring.

    The dog looks at me questioningly
      as if I have answers,
        so we continue our walk.

    But my thoughts linger
      on the old man
        and the child in me wonders . . .

— Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
December Edition 2023

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

A Thought

    A Thought

    Have you ever
    gone for a walk in autumn
    and picked up an acorn
    then realized
    that in the palm of your hand
    is a whole tree?

— Dan Hardison


The Wise Owl
Daily Verse 2023

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