1. Celestial Delight
On a moonless night
stars enter sky through clouds:
celestial delight.
2. February Flowers
Winter trees shiver with
wind, branches dropping snow crystals:
February flowers.
3. Butterfly's Light Touch
Broken twigs crunch
beneath heavy feet, lacking
butterfly's light touch.
4. Puma at 2: 00 am
At two a.m. mother
puma stalks slowly on roadside:
dangerous grace in motion.
5. Bleeding Poppies Bloom
Low on horizon
red moon looms, lacking pity:
bleeding poppies bloom.
(Copyright 12/31/2005)
I wrote these this morning, early between 8 and 9 am, local time. I was inspired by the season and one thing led to another, one poem to the next, except poem 4 which was inspired by an experience I had driving from Cherokee, NC to Athens, GA late night/early morning in the summer of 1972. Walking down the highway, facing oncoming traffic, was this female mountain lion. I stopped and observed her with awe. Her muscles rippled as she moved slowly and steadily down the road. She turned her head to look my way, our eyes met for a moment, then she calmly began walking on. I was awestruck. After sitting for a moment to collect my thoughts, I started up my car and drove past her, on my way. Hugh
Hugh, Haiku is not usually the form I am attracted to. I think it is because I feel that Westerners, or non Buddhists can handle the form but cannot really fathom the spititualism of it. So now my doubts are dispelled. You have created these five piece that speak volumes for the essence of the natural world. I will not look at the form in the same light again. Thank you for these, my friend.
a good feeling from reading these superb tales of nature's glory where the heart can always remember beauty a wonderful set of poems
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Hugh: I like them all but believe the last, which is the best, can be improved. Normally in haiku, the poet reserves commentary and gives no opinions. He permits the moment he has captured-like a snapshot-to speak for itself. I 'm referring to the 'lacking pity' line. Of course, there are many things he can do the convey emotion without stating it flatly such as inverting lines. Consider placing middle line first, last line second, first line last. Hope this is helpful. Martin