Dragonfly [Kyōka]

the dragonfly
is still, and I wonder
whether it's dead,
and further wonder whether
anyone has thought that of me

Black Hole [Kyōka]

deep in the cave,
there’s a hole that knows no light;
everything
and nothing can reside
within that black hole

Wading into the Flood [Kyoka]

floodwaters rise.
peacefully drifting
around the calves
of those in search
of things that float

Quick Peek [Kyōka]

a weaver
pokes its head from the nest,
looks both ways,
& decides to stay in.
i know the feeling.

Kilimanjaro Hides [Kyōka]

"Amboseli 
offers great views of 
Kilimanjaro!"
they said. but, for me,
obstinate clouds object

Nocturnal [Kyōka]

owl sticks its head out,
staring in silent rebuke
as if to say:
"Hey! I'm nocturnal.
What's with all the ruckus?"

Hide & Seek [Kyōka]

the icy mountain
plays hide & seek in the clouds
like a five-year-old
playing the game
for the first time, ever

Black Mamba [Kyōka]

one Black Mamba
slithers up beside its mate.
scheming whisper?
i fear as much, but then i
remember snakes have no ears

Tōsui’s Rebuttal [Kyōka]

the Zen monk Tōsui,
rebuked for handling manure,
plead not guilty
by reason of scrawny crops,
and kept spreading shit

Mud [Kyōka]

the mud patterns
carved in the tidal zone
beat any
work of art by
Andy Warhol