Autumn Tanka Challenge

[Saionji Shonagon]

11/8/10

Dusk seems so final
As the hills begin to bloom
With distant lamp light.
How can mere mortals try to
Hold the sun's journey hostage?

[crimsongriffin28]

Nov 9th

Strong the wind does gust
Tearing the leaves from the trees
Whirling grit around.
Ugh, a dirt speck in my eye...
Nature blows me off again.

Upon one's birthday,
Can you truly be pleased
By the birthday song?
...Only if it's sung for you
By one's one hundred students!

[koha]

As winter draws nigh
Fattened squirrel forages
Each nut more precious
Content and plump in his task
Rejoice the autumn sunshine

Tasks clearly defined
The chain-link fence surrounds us
Sweet freedom beckons
If only for a day’s grace
Winged words give flight to thought

[Saionji Shonagon]

11/9/10

The low hanging moon
Seems caught in telephone wires
Viewed from the side street.
Hungry, I hurry home with
My string bean beef and fried rice.

(Actually, this was last night when I went to pick up dinner at the Chinese place a few blocks from my house. A HUGE waning moon was setting over the housetops.)

[crimsongriffin28]

Nov. 10th

The sweeping of leaves
by a neighbour with her broom
has a spicy scent -
pumpkin pie, or witches' herbs?
The oba-san smiles and nods.

[Saionji Shonagon]

I light a lamp and
Sit down to write in a house
Empty but for me.
He's not here to make me smile.
That was a long time ago.

[crimsongriffin28]

Nov 11th
Warm smooth honey dark
The autumn sun rich and sweet
Gilds summer's decay
And in the morning, joints ache
Bittersweet, the seasons' change

[Saionji Shonagon]

A bugle call drifts
Up the street through my window
As colors are struck.
Each dawn, each sunset they mark,
Whether here or in harm's way.

For my neighbors, the Marines 4th Force Recon. Semper fidelis.

[crimsongriffin28]

Nov 12th

Mike-neko why
Try to hide when in plain sight?
Parade those colours
Forgo that slinking sidle
White teeth in a Cheshire grin
Your tail, a waving banner

[Saionji Shonagon]

11/12/10
The autumn sky throbs,
A blue so intense it stings
The eyes with splendor.
Bloody sleeved maples raise arms,
Defying the tearing wind.

[Saionji Shonagon]

11/13/10
I hear him outside
Pacing up and down the path,
Listing his complaints.
It must be hard to endure
The karma of being cat.

[Saionji Shonagon]

11/14/10

"Come out," taunts the breeze.
"Come out," teases the sunshine
As it leans through my window.
Yet duty requires I sit
Indoors and sew awhile more.

(I'm lookin' at you, Rasshu-dono.)

[crimsongriffin28]

My bad, I did none this weekend.

November 15

Black cat and white cat
Have discourse on the wall
Cries pierce the still air
I envy the love of cats
Intense encounters, though brief

[crimsongriffin28]

Nov 16th tanka challenge

In and out and stitch
The needle travels its course
Running a fresh seam
Tugging the threads of my life
So, next project, please.

[Saionji Shonagon]

11/15/10

Late afternoon sun
Sets the gingko tree ablaze
With an inner light.
Oh, to wear such light like silk
Even though winter looms close.