giant crack willows burst open with verdant joy slender prisoners on early release, riding the breath of an April breeze Kim M. Russell, 17th April 2019 My response to Imaginary Garden with Real Toads Poems in April Day 17: Somewhere in the midst of stirring April Sanaa is our host today and she brings us […]
Category: Tanka
Morning Glories
ah! morning glories are at their best while I chant my morning prayers Kyoroku by sunset they have faded their colours smothered by night from creeping shadows comes the sound of ringing bells my evening prayers to wake to glorious blue in sunlit sky and garden Kim M. Russell, 27th February 2019 My response to […]
Leafless Tree
the crow has flown away; swaying in the evening sun, a leafless tree Natsume Soseki an abandoned empty nest and a single black feather Kim M. Russell, 26th February 2019 My response to Carpe Diem #1614 Tan Renga Challenge Month 2019 (18) free styling Today’s challenge is to use haiku of our own choice, which […]
Grieving
hige kaze wo fuite boshu tanzuru wa tare ga ko zo who is it that grieves, the wind blowing through his beard, for late autumn? Matsuo Basho (Tr. R.H.Blyth) raindrops drip from willow leaves, pooling memories and leaves Kim M. Russell, 24th February 2019 My response to Carpe Diem #1613 Tan Renga Challenge Month 2019 […]
Moon and Flowers
moon past full the beginning of a little more darkness hours until birds start singing […]
Plume Grass
While you decline to cry, high on the mountainside a single stalk of plumegrass wilts. Ō no Yasumaro (circa 711), (Tr. Michael R. Burch) Tortured by wind, rain and sun, it has stopped its whispering. Kim M. Russell, 21st February 2019 My response to Carpe Diem #1612 Tan Renga Challenge Month 2019 (16) plumegrass Today […]
Full Snow Moon
full snow moon stirs the ladybug on cold bare branches Hamish 2016 a glint of red on silver new blood in an old landscape little hints of green dotted on skeleton twigs life in suspension awakened by warm sunshine ladybug flies away home Kim M. Russell, 21st February 2019 My response to Carpe Diem […]
Changing of the Robes
changing of the robes – deliberately I go to the neighbour to hold her child Shiba Sonome (Tr. Gabi Greve) a paper lantern in hand to illuminate her face Kim M. Russell, 20th February 2019 My response to Carpe Diem #1610 Tan Renga Challenge Month 2019 (14) changing of the robes In today’s episode we […]
Water Reflections
water reflection– a flying squirrel across the wisteria’s mantle Takarai Kikaku (Tr. unknown) in distortions of ripples purple blossoms turn to clouds Kim M. Russell, 18th February 2019 My response to Carpe Diem #1609 Tan Renga Challenge Month 2019 (13) water reflection Today we have a haiku by Takarai Kikaku, was one Basho’s best […]
Spring is in the Air
the sky is bluer birds are singing once again caressed by sunshine walkers thrust hands in pockets surprised by a chilly breeze Kim M. Russell, 18th February 2019 My response to Carpe Diem #1608 Tan Renga Challenge Month 2019 (12) Spring is in the air This feels very strange, creating a Tan Renga from a […]
writing in north norfolk 