It is the season of drifting scents, honeysuckle morphine in the dark and the ether of phlox and stocks. Outside, the first summer roses fade. He wants to take secateurs, deadhead delicate corpses, but cannot bear to touch petals the colour of bruised skin or inhale the cloying breath of flowers like the ones in […]
Pickled Ayu
garnished with ginger a plate of sweetfish and rice flavoured with sunshine Kim M. Russell, 18th June 2018 My response to Carpe Diem #1456 sweetfish (ayu) Today’s classical kigo for summer is sweetfish (ayu). I think it’s an unusual kigo and was grateful for the explanation: the ayu, or sweetfish, is a species of fish […]
Bicycle Music
It’s the geometric symphony of angles and circles, a breath of speed and freedom through seasons and cycles: a shiny metal frame, the acrid rubber smell of tyres and pedals, whistle of wind, zip of wheel on road and the jingle of the bell. Kim M. Russell, 18th June 2018 I’m looking after the dVerse […]
Nagoshi
a shower of sparks fireworks in the evening heat purification turning into falling leaves flames leaping from a bonfire Kim M. Russell, 18th June 2018 My response to Carpe Diem #1455 half-year’s end festival (nagoshi) Today’s classical kigo for summer ‘half-year’s end festival’ (nagoshi). Nagoshi is one of the 100.000 festivals which occur in Japan […]
Shifting Sands of Time
on an empty beach snow is tinged pink with sunset scattered sakura on an empty beach the sands of time are shifting with the ebbing tide snow is tinged pink with sunset washed away by waves melting into foam scattered sakura billows on a scented breeze a burgeoning blush Kim M. Russell, 17th June 2018 […]
No Regrets
Dad was surrounded all his life by sisters, mother, daughters and a wife; I never saw up close the bond between a father and son. I often wondered how Dad would have been if he’d had a son to kick a ball about, swing a bat at cricket, to rough and tumble play-fight. I tried […]
Swimming
caress of water rippling and trickling on skin the play of sunlight Kim M. Russell, 15th June 2018 My response to Carpe Diem #1454 swimming (oyogi) Today our kigo is swimming (oyogi).
What is the Essence of a Cat?
Is it a purr or the brush of fur against a human cheek? Is it the curl of a curious tail or the tongue that licks it sleek? Is it a velvet paw, the kneading of sharp claws or a pleading squeak? Is it the surprise of a pair of jade or amber eyes and […]
Of Age and Cherry Trees
inside the temple visitors cannot know cherries are blooming their ephemeral flowers blushing like youthful geisha the old woman a cherry tree blooming in old age is something to remember branches laden with blossom trembling in a brisk spring breeze what a sprout a dewdrop seeps down the nodes of generations of bamboo youthful innocence […]
Suzushi
beneath a willow breeze-blown shadows elongate a pattern of leaves Kim M. Russell, 14th June 2018 My response to Carpe Diem #1452 cool (suzushi) Another classical summer kigo: cool (suzushi)m which is normally used as a kigo for the summer evening in Japan.
writing in north norfolk 