Maker & Destroyer [Haibun]

A volcanic cone looms in the distance, far but not so far that it can't lend perspective. The cone draws the eye, beautifying the backdrop, crediting the city character, but - also - making it seem small. The volcano plays the stalwart guardian, but stands as the destroyer, promising devastation on some dark and distant day. The citizens love living under the great volcano, but one day it will spit fire, raining down a dense dust, pelting the city with rock chunks that fall like fiery hailstones.

the volcano
features in every photo,
but heed its rumbles 

Cloud Town [Tanka]

across the valley,
i see clouds pour into town;
like a blanket
dragged over a mattress,
the buildings are smothered

Belly Wisdom [Kyōka]

the snake 
feels my footfalls
through its belly,
and i, too, feel its 
movement in my belly

The Bog Lost Boot [Tanka]

bog lost boot
sucked from the slogging foot
of a hapless soul
to pull the boot up
would just drive the man down

Hissing Breeze Tanka

a hissing breeze
rushes through the leaves
sensed in a strong wind
then i can't not hear it
even in a trickled breeze

Muddy Water Tanka

pristine flower
blooms in muddy water;
its fragrance
drowns out the scent of rot
until it feeds the mud