| Two of my favorite poetic forms are
the Japanese HAIKU and TANKA. I have always liked non-rhyming verse,
and the simplicity of these forms can be deceptive. Marvelously
complex ideas have been laid forth in these fashions by some of the
world's most talented poets. Here are a few of my efforts along
those lines... |
Winter still entrenched
her talons mercilessly
hold tight to the snow |
red-fur pussycat
white tip at end of ringed tail
matches his whiskers |
gold and red falling
trees go to sleep for Winter
Spring to bring new green |
flies buzzing in marsh
Summer unfolds all around
Spring's newness matured |
fiesta music
Mariachis play for us
we dance in the streets |
breeze carries laughter
neighborhood kids all playing
here comes the summer |
chickadee-dee-dee
sings his cheerful little song
that's why I'm smiling |
nice day for fishing--
ask Egret; he will tell you
he's caught lots today |
float away, mayhap
if this rain does not stop soon
I could use a boat |
the squirrels chatter
cold this December morning
winter not yet here |
another year gone
New Year: opportunity
a time for change |
soft foggy morning
mutes the singing goldfinches
sunshine yet to come |
Sun rises later
and sets earlier these days
Summer fades away |
Tonight, Harvest Moon
brightly shines. It's now Autumn
Care for an apple? |
a destination
that's what my garden is now
suet, seeds and birds |
courageous rabbit
stopped and stared but did not run
despite being scared |
fallen, the old oak
yet from its death comes new life
renewing my faith |
soft foggy morning
even your footsteps are hushed
your whisper, soundless |
single snowflake falls
thus is the blizzard begun
paint the winter white |
In with a new year --
but let's not bury the past
we've yet to learn from |
Liars, every one
and yet you re-elect them.
Something's wrong with you ! |
Single water-drop
makes ripples in the bird-bath
bhappy robin sings |
You sold us out;
now we are impoverished.
Thank you, Mr. Bush |
see the egret fly
long neck tucked and curved just so
white plumes translucent |
Bumble, bumblebee
all I ask is don't sting me
gather some pollen |
Crack! lightning strike fire
the deer do not play today
they flee just like me |
Roses are blooming
The garden, sweetly fragranced
Is home to aphids |
the rain brings fragrance
i breathe deeply and enjoy
perfume of damp earth |
In sunbeams cradled
old cat curled up and sleeping
it must be nap-time |
You are the singer
but you are also the song
as every bird knows |
Crisp air, frozen night
I can feel winter beckon
Autumn has arrived |
No insects singing,
Last night’s cricket symphony
Silenced by autumn |
With pelicans swim
egrets, gulls and herons too:
We could get along... |
the glowing fireflies
reassure me of summer
and lend cheer to night |
like a tolling bell
inquietude fills my soul :
where is tomorrow? |
cat in window seat
watches the world flowing by
moves only to blink |
I have my weapon
with it I shall cut the cake
and then celebrate |
Plop! Raindrop falling
lands on flower then looks like
diamond in sunshine |
It was on the way
to the heart of my true friend
that I found my smile |
clouds fly in the storm,
wind is like a hurricane,
rain washes all clean |
It’s frozen outside
but I see your inner warmth
in clouds when you breathe |
the sun makes no sound,
slowly slipping into sea:
today extinguished |
Will good
things arise
from these tragedies so fresh
—or will we not learn? |
flood waters run high
desperation, broken hearts
Katrina bad girl |
the moon
behind the trees
rises on a perfect night
luring me to love |
contented cat's purr
as I stroke his downy fur
what a simple joy |
soft foggy morning
yet in afternoon, sun plays
and cows look for shade |
Haiku heaven lives
in seventeen syllables
on three little lines |
Tender blossoms thrive
Springtime renaissance of life
Awakens my soul |
Raindrops, misty beads
Adorn your chrysanthemums
Glisten in sunshine |
Pebble thrown in pond
Its ripples echo outward
In perfect circles |
You
are my brother
And I shall be your sister
Friendship growing strong |
No
finitude in me
A work ever in progress
Completion unknown. |
Battered by
the wind
That old pine in the canyon
Yes, but still it stands |
If
life were painless
It might not be rewarding
When you find the joy |
Read me
your poems
I’ll share mine with you as well
There you’ll find my heart |
Far-flung
majesty
When the dandelions cast
Their seeds to the wind |
Firelight
and champagne
Always remind me of you
Tickling my fancy |
Friendship
crosses miles
Smiles are sent for friendship's sake
And warm thoughts for luck |
I am not perfect
Nor can I dare dream to be
Realistically |
Too tired
not to rest
I sleep but am awakened
To dream I am asleep |
Inspiration dwells
Deep inside higher thinking
Far above my grasp |
Achilles, his heel
For we each have a weak point
Mine, my tender heart |
The melodies
rise
Through heart and soul and spruce
How your guitar sings |
Poems are just words
Finding the right time and space
To rest on paper |
My cat is not mine
He tempers my illusion
His is ownership |
Your smile feeds my
soul
Your words feed my intellect
My words feed nothing |
What is it that guides
The world flows through my fingers
And I flow as well |
Smile your secret smile
What you share no one else knows
Even God perhaps |
Galaxy of song
Notes by the universe played
Unheard by our ears |
You offered your
hand
When a glance would have sufficed
Now I am twice blessed |
Nothing tangible
When all I did was be there
Do not give me praise |
Sunkissed, her bronze skin
Limned silver in the moonlight
Spilling from the sky |
River scours the earth:
today’s shallow waterway
tomorrow’s canyon |
Patient water flows,
for years. The stone will be round,
sharp edges melted. |
