“A Few Haiku, a Few Tanka”

Madame Carriere climbed up the second story window but alas!  Was cut back.  In a few years she  grew 20×20 feet.  Amazing rose.  Have replaced her with another one.

 

Because I am so cold, I thought a few springish haiku and tanka would take my mind off Winter.  It’s not working.

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Haiku

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Dogwoods are blooming
The crucifixion appears
White moths in the night.

–

(Dogwoods are a Southern tree here in the South.  White blooms
having the form of the Christian Cross, with nail heads.  They bloom in the spring  right before Easter. They are a symbol of Christianity in Nature.)

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Under the dark moon

I awaited your return

Only shadows came.

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The moon, a ghostly

Sliver, sails on a jet sea

Wild dogs howl beneath.

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A woman in bed

Kimono revealing breast

Snow on Mt. Fuji

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Tibetan earthworms

Bring a halt to all labor.

Here? Fat koi eat well.

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Rooster doesn’t crow

Night’s loud thunder and lightning

Ruins his morning voice.

—

Even the hoot owls

Are silent this stormy night

Wind muffles their cries.

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Tanka

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The fire of life

Is love. No exact measure.

A whirling dervish

Hands in opposite display

Gathers in the miracle.

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Spring

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The sound of frog-calls,
In the pond floats a pale moon
Fresh life is stirring
An early owl goes hunting
Wise mice scatter for cover.

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Thin, silken breezes

Float upon a green-ribbon

Of spring—pale season.

Scent of lilies, myrtle, plum

Arouse bees from slumber.

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Restless and confused,

Birds cry out, sky darkening

Rain lashes, flooding

Freshly planted fields drown

Wind sails red tiles from  roofs.

–

Jane Kohut-Bartels

Copyrighted, 2018

 

Tags: Haiku, tanka, too cold, Winter