Buds & Blooms [Haiku]

naked branches 
of the frangipani
bud with blossoms.

Heron Perch [Haiku]

from still water
juts deadwood on which herons
perch with their shadows.

Bristling [Haiku]

leaves have dropped;
reflected sun viewed twixt
bristled seedpod clusters.

Red [Haiku]

the turning leaves
catch the morning sunlight
to show depths of red.

Ripe Grass [Haiku]

heavy-headed grass sways:
the clockwork counting down
the days of Autumn.

Duck Drift [Haiku]

ducks drift lazily
on water that sparkles
with winter sunlight.

DAILY PHOTO: Scenes from Blissfulness Hill

Holdout [Tanka]

a tree’s last blossom
seems to wait til no one
is looking to drop.
what a thing it must be
to see a holdout yield.

“Seeking a Hermit-Sage in Vain” by Jia Dao [w/ Audio]

I question a local boy under a pine.
He says, "Teacher is gathering herbs
right here on the mountain...
But who can say where?
The mountain is thick with clouds."