April Waka (Tanka) Challenge

[Saionji Shonagon]

Above the bustle
Of hurrying passers by
I hear notes bending.
As I fumble for my fare
An old man plays his erhu.

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Notes from an erhu
Presage the changing faces
and fiery breath
How odd that two instruments
Could link us across the globe.

Last night we were in Chengdu and watched an incredible erhu performance as well as other traditional opera and performance arts. Towards the end there was the traditional Sichuan arts of face-changing and fire breathing (including a face-changing, fire-breathing puppet!).

The erhu, however, was really incredible. After one traditional piece he did a western one that just blew us away (I wish I could remember the name). Abe and I now want to see an erhu, didgeridoo, and an Irish ceili band get together and just jam. Also, per our guide, the name "erhu" comes from the words for two (for the two strings) and foreign (because it was a foreign instrument).


Flowery brocade
Lounging in the bamboo grove
Or up in the tree,
How simple does your life seem
Mourners of the Shu Princess?

Of course, being in Chengdu, we saw pandas. Apparently, pandas were symbols of peace and used on flags to signal a request for a ceasefire (not necessarily a surrender or even a proper truce) in ancient Chinese warfare. Their "flowery" markings (flowery=black and white patches on an animal) come, according to one story, because they covered their arms and legs with ashes in mourning for a beloved Shu (Sichuan) princess. They hugged each other and rubbed their eyes, and thus the markings.

[Saionji Shonagon]

I see buskers with erhu on Grant Street in San Francisco all the time. This guy was at the San Leandro BART station. As I've only been commuting this route for a couple weeks, I have no idea if he's a regular or not. Must remember to have change in my pocket so I can support the arts. ;-D

[Saionji Shonagon]

Branches wave wildly
And shutters rattle protest
At the seaborne gale.
What kind of spring is this that
Tears at my hair and clothing?

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The chirping of birds
Is no less melodious
Than this foreign speech
So numerous the people
All trav'ling the road together.

Ended up in a tri-lingual conversation today between myself, a lady from Japan, and a man from China. We each had at least one language in common, but nobody had a good grasp of all three!

[Saionji Shonagon]

The workday winds down
As sunlight beckons me forth
From the week's duties.
A road north awaits, and
The crowning of a king and queen.

In short, I'm off to our Beltane Coronation in a little bit. I will have to post my challenge composition for tomorrow (assuming I come up with one) when I return on Sunday evening.

In the meantime, thanks to all who took up the challenge and played along. Poetry happens!

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In the peach orchard
We have whiled away the time
In composition;
Though we now rise to depart
Shall we not yet meet again?

It has been fun!

[Saionji Shonagon]

In my rustic hut
Warm blankets and tea beckon
Comfort before bed.
Yet I lie awake to gaze
A bit longer at the stars.