Fireflies' Light, Issue 23

First time in Fireflies' LIght! I have a bunch of haiku, senryu, tanka, cherita, and haiga included in the current issue. These are my haiga created by playing with alcohol ink, gel prints, and doodlng. If you want to read the full issue, here it is. Missouri Baptist University (mobap.edu)

Human/Kind Journal Issue 1.8

My debut appearance in this journal edited by Robin Anna Smith. 

                                                                  fallen maple leaves—  

the prayers of sycophants

*****

slanted against morning a red bird's wings cutting names 

*****

*Sources for found poems in this issue, in order of appearance: “The Letter” by Mary Ruefle, “Facing It” by Yusef Komunyakaa, and “Winter Flowers” by Stanley Moss.

Failed Haiku 35

morning ritual

who catches my dog

with the missing sock

star jasmine

my puppy takes over

his side of the bed

booby’s feet

the impulse to buy

a pair of bright blue shoes

warm cinnamon roll

I forget my name

in each bite

at the party

only remembering the name

with the sweaty hand

we list our ailments

like we're in competition

in the waiting room . . .

the fishes in the aquarium

vying for attention

These one haiku, four senryu, and one tanka have been published in Failed Haiku 35 (Guest Editor, Michael H. Lester) 

NHK World Haiku Master of the Week

Haiku Master of the Week1

To watch the video and to read the comment

of Kazuko Nishimura & Kit Pancoast Nagamura, click here.

I copied and pasted the comments here just in case I cannot accept the link in the future. 

Kazuko Nishimura:

Monday mornings often feel quite melancholy. Yet with just the sound of a bird singing, the narrator is filled with positivity and is ready to take on the week ahead. The image of a flower basking in the sunlight pairs wonderfully with the idea of an internal light growing brighter, pushing one towards positivity. This work allows the audience to imagine listening to a songbird while staring at a bright blue sky.

Kit Pancoast Nagamura:

In this haiku, a finch’s song stretches out into the morning air, perhaps erasing the gloom associated with the beginning of a workweek. But the poem’s third line, combined with the photo of an open water lily, shifts gears and moves into a more spiritual realm, one in which the author’s inner light is summoned. A symbol of enlightenment and rebirth, the lily rises above the mud from below and a finch’s voice freely travels the air; both call a poet to work that has little to do with Monday mornings, but more to do with timeless, essential interconnections. Without heavy-handed words or overly-explanatory expressions, this poem achieves depth and resonance.

World Haiku Association (151st Haiga Contest)

Kuniharu Shimizu selected 28 out of 47.

World Haiku Association

(151st Haiga Contest, March 2017)

Heart Breaths

     Grateful that 11 of my haiku are included in Heart Breaths: Book of Contemporary Haiku. Available to purchase here .

cloud break . . .
a fledgling peeks out
of a cracked shell

***

spring dawn . . .
a baby robin's trill
warms the sunlight


***

tumbling leaves . . .
I drift where grief
takes me today

***

tracing the cracks
on his leather chair . . .
death anniversary

***

this feeling of knowing
you were already gone . . .
murmur of stars


***

spring buds
his pinky finger
slips into mine

***

banjo strings
the night he plucks
the stars

***

fall morning
a lily laps up
a ray of sunshine

***

sunlight slides
from the mountain top . . .
a seagull's call

***

winter dawn
the cry of a hawk
piercing the fog

***

empty sea . . .
in a fisherman's boat
a bucketful of stars

 

Ribbons Winter 2016

STUPOR

no one 

calling my name

this morning

a cup of water stays cold

in the microwave

preparations

for the memorial 

the chrysanthemums

quietly wither

on the side

an avalanche 

of memories snowballing

into grief

the stories behind

a box of receipts

every now and then 

the flicker of a firefly . . .

still in my hand

all of you I need

to let go

not accepting

what goodbye really means

my breath lingers

in every shape and sound

of spring dusk

Brass Bell: Haiku Journal (November 2015 Issue)

     Grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy this beautiful morning with Brass Bell's November issue. This month's theme is morning.

     Here is my haiku offering:

first light

a fuzzy head pops out

of the nest

     To read all the haiku poems, please click here.  

Tanka Poets on Site (August 28 prompt)

 

the drip
of one memory
after another...
this summer morning . . .
watermelon pieces



prompt: watermelon
See comments here. 

World Haiku Association (118th Haiga Contest)

   World Haiku Association 

(118th Haiga Contest, March 2014)

 

PH-Philippine Haiku #6

bitter lemon

he hates to leave

another morning

prompt: bittersweet

See PH-Philippine Haiku comments here.

Bamboo Hut Vol. 1 Issue 2

     Here are my five tanka included in the 2nd issue of Bamboo Hut.

all the things
your didn't want to
talk about . . .
now I'm left with
crumpled leaves               


not knowing
if my heart will ever
stop hurting . . .
the train passes me by
one more time


as you drift away
I cherish the sweeping light
of our memories . . .
the darkness of the night
brightens all the stars


days after
the memorial . . .
I find comfort
watering his plants
for the first time


sunlight dance
on the bedroom wall . . .
how my heart flutters
with the way you say
good morning


Click this to read the issue. 
The print copy may be purchased from Lulu.com http://www.lulu.com/shop/view-cart.ep;jsessionid=4DC71B0C924D47A322EE8D100653D414

Tanka Poets on Site (September 21 prompt)

this morning

nobody fills up
the birdbath . . ....
the blue jay and I
thirsty for you



prompt:
See comments here.

Tanka Poets on Site (August 27 prompt)

seeing the first light

of morning in your eyes

I start to smile

from the memory

of last night's kisses

prompt: waking up from a different place

See comments here.
 

Mindful Writing Challenge '13 - Day 15



 

He Doodles You 'Ku - Day 1-8

     Take a peek at what's happening on Auburie Cox's Yay Words! You won't believe how much the group has grown in a week, not to mention the fantastic haiku and tanka for HM Yuan's doodles that have piled up. 

     Catching  up on the days that I've missed, here's what I came up with. Nothing compared to my personal favorites, but hey, at least I'm trying. :-) 

     Click a specific day to see the doodles and everybody's posts. 

the sinking sun

lingers at the brim

of your cup

how long can I stop you

from leaving

~ 0 ~

no time left 

to say goodbye . . .

withered rose

Day 8

I let the wind

speak for me . . .

winter tree

Day 7

holding on

to what's left of him . . .

fading sun

Day 6

Christmas moon—

the memory of her

peppermint breath

Day 5

winter buds

the morning unfolds

between my silence

Day 4

fork on the road—

his choices

almost identical

Day 3

cloud formation

where do I begin

telling you

Day 2

sudden wind—

her childhood days

snatched too soon

Day 1

Mindful Writing Challenge '13 - Day 7

 

The Collaborative Photo-Haiku Project (Entry 24)

photo by Tif Holmes

foggy morning . . .

the mourning dove

curls up in its nest

The Collaborative Photo-Haiku Project (Entry 24)

The Collaborative Photo-Haiku Project (Entry 22)

photo by Tif Holmes

 

morning stillness . . .
weaving dreams

about our future

I let the wind unwind

what happens next

 

The Collaborative Photo-Haiku Project (Entry 22) 

Sudden Rain

Written for Haiku Heights #153
Prompt: First

Shared with Haiku My Heart