Ribbons (Fall 2020: Volume 16, Issue 3)

 The third issue under my editorship. The cover art is another watercolor masterpiece by Tiffany Shaw-Diaz. 

My tanka in the Tanka Cafe section.

Included my scratch art in my editor's message. I asked Carol Raisfeld to write a tanka to pair with it. 

Tanka Poets on Site (July 7 prompt)

a handsome stranger
give me another look . . .
I seal my lips
on a heart pendant
with my husband's ashes



prompt: kiss
See comments here. 

Sketchbook (A Journal for Eastern and Western Forms)

     I try to be positive whenever I'm waiting for a current issue to come out, especially when I'm told that my submission is under consideration. I'd like to think that at least one of my haiku or haiga will be accepted.

     Thank goodness, I was right with Sketchbook. It's another first appearance! It feels good to be a part of a journal with a wide global readership. A few days ago, I got an email from the editor of Sketchbook sharing this link with me. Along with my short biography, it shows my two haiga, one haiku in Poem This Picture Contest, three haiku in the "precious stones" haiku thread, and one haiku in the "waters of spring" kukai.

     It was great to find out that for the Haiku Editor's choices, guest Bernard Gieske has selected two of my haiku for Haiku Gems of Meaning. 

     She explains the following....

     "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." I like to think that this notes from Pericles is exemplified in this following haiku:

     in every pearl bead
     of her rosary—
      the secrets of her heart

     At the same time the ruby represents conscious control of emotions, keeping the mind clear and free from lust. It was also believed to have protective powers.

    
     blind date—
     only seeing
     her ruby pendant

     January / February 2012 Sketchbook Vol. 7, No. 1: Issue 40