“A Few Haiku (8)”

On November 8, 2021 By Mike U.In Poetry15 Comments

(#43)

Sweat upon my brow
Dries to crystal salt; my toil
Earns ivory crown

…..

(#44)

Early morning mist
Mother cloud comes home to nest
Earth is safe and warm

…..

(#45)

Insects whispering
Secrets filled with mystery
As I plant the rice

…..

(#46)

In the pond I learned
All I need to know of life
Koi glide peacefully

…..

(#47)

My old white dog tries
To catch the swift stream but he
Only ends up wet

…..

(#48)

In these callused hands
There is dirt beneath the nails
Strength and wisdom too

“A Tanka Trio (7)”

On November 7, 2021 By Mike U.In Poetry9 Comments

(#19)

When I sought knowledge
I opened my eyes and ears
When I sought wisdom
I opened my mind and heart
Rain and sunshine for my soul

…..

(#20)

In my winter dreams
I walk barefoot in the spring
Sink my toes in loam
In the green konara copse
Gathering the brown acorns

…..

(#21)

Near the red footbridge
Piebald koi drowse in the shade
Of lotus blossoms
As cicadas call my name
Welcoming me home again

“A Few Haiku (7)”

On November 5, 2021November 9, 2024 By Mike U.In Poetry13 Comments

(#37)

Swathed in winter’s arms
Chilly bosom hushes earth
Snowy lullaby

…..

(#38)

As heron’s plume drifts
Away on a silent stream
Memories of you fade

…..

(#39)

Do worms of the earth
Dream of sunlight; are their minds
As blind as their eyes

…..

(#40)

I’ve tried to catch the
Fleeting breeze in my hands but
I am unworthy

…..

(#41)

In the thunderstorm
Footprints filled with rain water
I have lost my way

…..

(#42)

Near the waterfall
Yellow birds drink from the cups
Of purple flowers

“A Few Haiku (6)”

On November 4, 2021 By Mike U.In Poetry6 Comments

(#31)

Autumn ground mists rise
Earth gives up its ghosts as moon
Summons spirits home

…..

(#32)

Stones in shallow stream
Smooth and round as heron’s eggs
Current tends her nest

…..

(#33)

In a bamboo cage
Finch sings of the open skies
It will never see

…..

(#34)

In a forest pond
Lotus float like small wasen
Laden with blossoms

…..

(#35)

Mud on waraji
Sticks like bitter memories
I cannot let go

…..

(#36)

Perfume of willows
And the laughter of the stream
Hope is still alive

“A Few Haiku (5)”

On November 1, 2021October 4, 2024 By Mike U.In Poetry3 Comments

(#25)

Fronds torn by the storm
Willow bathes her wounds in tears
Heaven cries above

…..

(#26)

In konara copse
Broken axe is silent now
Entombed by the ferns

…..

(#27)

In my sorrow
I doubt even sparrow’s joy
Can restore my heart

…..

(#28)

In chill autumn rain
Memories of sakura
Memories of you

…..

(#29)

There is bird-song when
I see my bare-footed love
Smiling demurely

…..

(#30)

All I wish for you
Is that you are happy and
You’ll remember me

“A Tanka Trio (6)”

On October 31, 2021June 4, 2025 By Mike U.In Poetry8 Comments

(#16)

I would gladly give
All I have or ever will
For the simple truths
Of the frog in Basho’s pond
And Williams’ red wheelbarrow

…..

(#17)

On a cattail
A dragonfly preens his wings
Iridescently
There is beauty everywhere
If only my heart could see

…..

(#18)

I am the mountains
I am clouds and sea and trees
I am wild flowers
I am all things of the earth
And sky; stardust enfolds me

“A Few Haiku (4)”

On October 29, 2021 By Mike U.In Poetry2 Comments

(#19)

In the autumn copse
Naked gods shiver as wind
Snatches leafy cloaks

…..

(#20)

Field work is done
Village sings its evening song
My heart waits for me

…..

(#21)

When leaves fall earth mourns
And heaven cries; when I fall
Who will weep for me

…..

(#22)

Autumn earth is dead
Solemn winter dirges mourn
Spring-song resurrects

…..

(#23)

Skipping stone succumbs
Sinks among indifferent koi
Drowsing near the reeds

…..

(#24)

Autumn sadness is
Too much to bear; tears freeze from
Early winter’s kiss

“A Few Haiku (3)”

On October 26, 2021October 2, 2024 By Mike U.In Poetry1 Comment

(#13)

Dying winter sun
Bleeds on pallid frozen earth
Crimson filigree

…..

(#14)

Empty robin’s nest
Jagged pieces of spring sky
Litter ground below

…..

(#15)

In the sage shadows
Horned toads skitter hastily
Tiny dragon kin

…..

(#16)

Thermal-soaring hawks
To them I’m an afterthought
To me they are gods

…..

(#17)

Solemn dusk echoes
Wapiti cries copse to copse
Across wheat fields

…..

(#18)

In pond water dogs
Oblivious to all else
Glide in somber dreams

“A Tanka Trio (3)”

On October 19, 2021October 19, 2021 By Mike U.In Poetry3 Comments

(#7)

My eyes hear what my
Ears cannot see I wash my
Mouth of bitter taste
Of memories long past and
Chase scent of elusive hope

…..

(#8)

Distant memories
Hide like frail columbines
Shade-bound ‘neath the firs
Fragile petals woe-dappled
In the meadows of my mind

…..

(#9)

To open my heart
Is a mighty task I am
Not prepared to do
I no longer hold the key
To what’s locked inside of me

“Fade”

On October 17, 2021 By Mike U.In Poetry18 Comments

“Fade”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

Dusk has fallen as
Stars scream heavenward and doves
Murmur mournfully
Evening-song has come and I
Cannot hear day’s parting cry

Night blooms above as
Insects whisper mysteries
And wolves share solemn
Oaths on phantom breeze and I
Cannot hear dark’s somber sigh

Dawn symphony births
Strident morning melody
As birds wake the sun
And earth speaks to me and I
Cannot hear the singing sky

I have lost so much
My earth my sky autumn odes
Winter dirges spring
Soliloquies summer chants
Fading in silent echoes

And I
Cannot bear to hear them die

Silent Pariah

Tag: nature