In the foggy dawn
All is quiet, all is still
As the sun rises
Then the trees start to sing as
Hoarfrost slips from their branches
#poetry365 Icesong
Tag Archive | Poetry
A Few More Poems
令和二年二月二十日
Thus the wheel turns
Life settles into something
Else the new normal
Pinching pennies like a perv
Fear churns the empty belly
The Way Things Are: Unfunny Kyōka
#poetry365
令和二年二月十六日
Anything at all
And I find myself in tears
Icicles of salt
This winter sun can not melt
No matter how clear the sky
On a cold clear day
#poetry365
A Few Poems
令和二年二月七日
Unable to speak
Or even to scream, that hand
Clasped over my mouth
So suddenly it happened
There, in the bright light of day
Silenced
#poetry365
令和二年二月九日
The question is asked
With well-meaning disinterest
How are you doing?
Fine, I say, just fine, hiding
The scars of my nail-pocked palms
In answer to your question
#poetry365
令和二年二月十一日
I wanted to sing
But when I opened my mouth
The words disappeared
And only the bitter taste
Of salt lingered on my lips
Silent song
#poetry365
令和二年二月五日
On the other side
Of the line, sometimes in speech
Sometimes in silence
You were always there for me
Can you still hear me crying?
Sitting in the hall in pajamas
#poetry365
令和二年一月四日
Oh you stubborn leaf
Refusing to let loose from
Your bare empty branch
Fall already, there’s no need
For you to cling to the past
(The last leaf on the pear tree in my mother’s garden)
令和二年一月三日
I look to heaven
Where are the grey skies that could
Camouflage my tears?
Steeped in azure, the sun yet
Shines, life moves on regardless
(Tears on a sunny day)
令和二年一月二日
As the seasons change
I stand on the border not
Knowing where to turn
The sweet scent of autumn leaves
The cold crisp taste of snowflakes
（A winter’s day in San Antonio)
令和二年一月一日
Cool winter evening
The fire-flowers blossom
One by one, they bloom
In my heart, an ember burns
Hope, glowing, warming my soul
(Fireworks in the New Year)
How to Read Japanese Poetry, a book by Steven Carter
I recently got a copy of this book, How to Read Japanese Poetry (New York; Columbia University Press, 2019) ISBN 978-0231186834, and have been enjoying it thoroughly. Steven Carter is the author of several books translating Japanese poetry into English, and his Traditional Japanese Poetry: An Anthology (Stanford; Stanford University Press, 1993) ISBN 978-0804722124 is usually the first book I recommend to people who want to explore Japanese poetry. This book is a little more intimate, where Carter presents poems in a variety of styles, with translation notes and historical background. Less poems than his earlier book, but he digs down into further detail. If you are at all interested in Japanese poetry, definitely add this book to your library. https://www.amazon.com/Read-Japanese-Poem-Steven-Carter/dp/0231186835
In process English translation of Gosenshū
Of possible interest to poetry enthusiasts: Christopher Kern, a visiting professor at Auburn University, is in the process of translating the Gosenshū (Gosen Wakashu), collected about 951 CE, which was the 2nd of the great Imperial Anthologies. He has put up a Wiki with what he has so far, including sources used and analysis of the poems. Check it out here: http://jchristopherkern.com/Wiki/Gosen_wakashu
There is a short wikipedia entry about the Gosenshū here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gosen_Wakash%C5%AB
And a brief entry concerning the 21 Imperial Anthologies here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chokusen_wakash%C5%AB#Nij%C5%ABichidaish%C5%AB
