Fujiwara Teika (1162-1241) is considered by many to be the preeminent Japanese poet. As a poet, diarist and critic, his influence on premodern Japanese poetry is unsurpasssed. His poetry specialized almost exclusively in the waka, the dominant lyrical form of the Japanese classical period, a five-line poem consisting of thirty-one syllables, arranged in measures of five syllables, then [...]
I am always on the lookout for poems that I like. I find that Japanese poets often provide the succinct but poignant quality that appeals to me. Here are some poems of Izumi Shikibu which I like. I had never heard of this particular lady until somebody told me about her. She lived around the [...]
Blackberries We were just friends when you tripped on the blackberry vine. I got to my knees beside you and Helped pick out the thorns, Putting your fingers in my mouth to Bite them out with my teeth. Then to make you laugh I fed you Sun-warmed blackberries Lying there in the grass, and Then I [...]
The idea of simplicity in our lives seems to be growing in our awareness. We find that in an increasingly complex existence, simplification has an immense appeal. We seem to have too many things, and our lives become filled with clutter, both physically and mentally. Sometimes we yearn for simpler times when the world [...]
I thought that I might put some of my poems in some of my posts. This is one: Reflection When you ponder the Calendar of your days, Do you recall the times Of strife, of betrayal, Of heartbreak? Or…do you recall the Quiet calm times filled With beauty and tranquility? Basho (Matsuo Kinsaku–ca. 1644-1694) was [...]
Every May when the large rhododendron by the driveway begins to bloom, eventually producing this incredibly lovely display of pink blossoms that cover the entire plant, I begin to feel this tension. As I drive out every morning I stop and roll down my car window and look at the exquisite details in the pink [...]
