poetry

Jun
26

Summer Tanka 2024

Even through the sand the landscapers left behind rise chamomile shoots: little promises of sun to adorn what's
Jan
09

Winter Tanka 2024

It's been far too warm / this winter... feels autumn-like... / Blustering and warm; / drizzle is the worst it rains, / if we even get that much.
Jul
09

Summer Tanka 2022 #2

The monstera of the teahouse has just three leaves, un-fenestrated; But the ten propagations of pothos dangle down from the
Jul
08
Summer Tanka 2022 #1

Summer Tanka 2022 #1

We're now in July and still don't see a cloudless sky as spring rains persist. The
Sep
07

Late Summer Tanka 2017

In oppressive heat it swirls, and I realize why Ash Flies are named: it gets in my eyes and stings,
May
31
Yakozen: Juujika

Yakozen: Juujika

This one has a unique wordplay. The Japanese for "Cross" and "Is it Ten O'Clock?" are nearly homophones ("Juujika" or じゅうじか; Kanji: 十字架 and 十時か). During the chorus, he transitions from the former, to a vague pronunciation (and phonetic spelling) that could be interpreted either way, and then to...
2 min read
Apr
06

Takuboku Tanka #3

花散れば 先づ人さきに白の服着て家出づる 我にてありしか When the flowers fell, The first to put on white clothes, and go outside was me.
Mar
18
Early Spring Tanka 2017

Early Spring Tanka 2017

After months of matte gray sky, I finally get a glimpse of the sun's wry grin; As welcome
Mar
11

Takuboku Tanka #2

東海の小島の磯の白砂に われ泣きぬれて 蟹とたはむる On this small Pacific isle’s coast on the rocky shore’s white sand, I’m wet
Feb
03
For Irish Blood

For Irish Blood

Background We have so many phrases involving digging. Gandhi: "To forget how to dig the earth and tend the
3 min read