a brave youth
plummets into the stepwell,
all the while
looking like she's on a stroll,
blowing her nose and waving.
Multitasking Youth [Kyōka]
2
Category Archives: Poetry
“West River Moon” by Su Shi [w/ Audio]
Wavelet on wavelet glimmers by the shore;
Cloud on cloud dimly appears in the sky.
Unsaddled is my white-jadelike horse;
Drunk, asleep in the sweet grass I'll lie.
My horse's hoofs may break, I'm afraid,
The breeze-rippled brook paved by moonlit jade.
I tether my horse to a bough of green willow.
Near the bridge where I pillow
My head on arms and sleep till the cuckoo's song awakes
A spring daybreak.
Translation: Xu Yuanchong [translator]. 2021. Deep, Deep the Courtyard. [庭院深深.] Cite Publishing: Kuala Lumpur, p. 238
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True Balance [Senryū]
standing on one leg,
steadfast while squirrels mistake
one for a tree.
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Four Seasonal Haiku of Yosa Buson [w/ Audio]
SPRING*
The spring sea;
gently, quietly,
all day long.
SUMMER
what a joy!
wading through summer rivers,
sandals in hand.
AUTUMN
vacant teahouse,
atop the mountain:
a harvest moon.
WINTER
neighbors detest me
for my whistling kettle:
a cold winter night.
* Translation by: Wilson, William Scott. 2023. A Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Haiku. Tuttle Publishing: North Clarendon, VT.
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River Differences (Or, Follow Your Lazy) [Senryū]
nature makes no
straight rivers; men make none
that meander.
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Camouflage, Not! [Haiku]
a squirrel chitters;
its black body against
the ash gray tree.
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“Jerusalem” by William Blake [w/ Audio]
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the Countenance Divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark Satanic Mills?
Bring me my Bow of burning gold:
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me Chariot of fire.
I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant Land.
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City Awakens [Haiku]
Sunrise Fisherman [Haiku]
sunrise orange
sparkles on the lake;
lone fisher casts nets
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Quiet Harbor [Haiku]
a quiet harbor
keeps choppy seas at bay,
but all boats are out.
Tiger Riding for Beginners 