“A Few Haiku (28)”

(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley

(#163)

old apples
frozen to the ground
the silent orchard

…..

(#164)

juniper berries
blue sky’s children nestle
in cedar cradles

…..

(#165)

my horse is old
and my cart is broken
the depths of winter

…..

(#166)

winter granary
rice sacks are empty
and spring may never come

…..

(#167)

thoughtless chickadees
bear the winter’s burden
while I succumb

…..

(#168)

in the evening snow
hare tracks on the mountain path
silent, soon to fade

“A Tanka Trio (10)”

(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#28)

Sere crone winter sheds
Iced waraji at the door
Hangs her hiemal veil
On the windows, frigid laugh
Desecrates the sacred place

…..

(#29)

Shima-enaga
Silver-throated winter-borne
Yuki no tori
Huddle in Hokkaido chill
Little clouds alight on branch

…..

(#30)

Weeping winter’s tears
Cannot cloak in drifts the rift
Between earth and man
Frigid hearts and bitter souls
Bury world in human shame