Green Growth [Haiku]

spring rains green
the fort's horizonal and
its vertical.

Cormorant Rules [Haiku]

a cormorant
waits a half-hour after
swimming to fly.

“The Charge of the Light Brigade” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson [w/ Audio]

Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
"Forward the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

"Forward the Light Brigade!"
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Some one had blunder'd:
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell,
Rode the six hundred.

Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre-stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not,
Not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!

Mountain Meadow [Haiku]

mountain meadow:
horses graze, leisurely,
a rancher splits wood.

“Singing My Mind” #1 by Ruan Ji [w/ Audio]

One sleepless night:
I sit up to strum my lute.
The moon shines through thin curtains,
A gentle breeze rustles my robe.
A wild goose honks in the wilderness,
Stirring a cascade of other birdcall.
I pace and peek out windows --
Alone, and burdened with sorrows.

Open Lotus [Haiku]

a lotus opens;
its yellow pod shining
back at the sun.

“Cavalry Days” by Xin Qiji [w/ Audio]

Drunk, I'd keep a lamp lit to find my sword,
The blare of horns sounded throughout the camp.
Soldiers ate meat under waving banners;
The military band played boisterous tunes.
Autumn brought our troops to the battlefield.

Carried by a charger at full gallop,
My bow thwipped, sending swift arrows flying.
We restored Imperial lands, boldly,
And won great fame for fighting gallantly,
But fame grows thin and gray just like my hair.

Red Blossoms [Haiku]

red blossom-laden
branches race across
blue summer skies.

Stony Beach [Haiku]

gray winter day:
i walk the stony beach, and
note each rock 's unique.