Spring tanka challenge

[akikonomu]

We had a big thunderstorm roll through - which is a bit unusual - and I got a little carried away...

Dark gray clouds roll in
unleashing torrents of rain
to lash the rooftops,
and send shoppers scurrying.
Lightening plays in the clouds.

Peels of thunder roll.
Hailstones bounce in the wet streets,
and splatter on the
window panes. Gutters become
rushing streams of ice water.

The deluge abates
into showers, as the storm
and thunder move on
seeking new targets for their
rage and the sun returns.

[Saionji Shonagon]

Winds shake the treetops,
Rattling windows and tossing
Clothes from drying poles.
Like a cat after midnight
The rushing keeps me wakeful.

[Deleted]

A new week begins.
Will this be a good week or
one of the bad ones?
I have the best of intent,
but that's often not enough.

[Saionji Shonagon]

Pictures of mountains
Whisper my name with voices
Only I can hear.
I long to return to those
Pine fragrant byways of stone.

[Deleted]

I try to sleep on,
but the morning breeze rattles
the chamber's loose door.
Might as well get my bed,
lest the world leave me behind.

[Saionji Shonagon]

Armed with a needle,
I campaign across a field
Of willow hued cloth.
Satisfaction comes with the
Placement of the final stitch.

[Deleted]

Planning my own task,
I reflect on the joy of
using proper cloth
of proper color and weight
for the personage in mind.

[Saionji Shonagon]

So much left to do,
Yet I delay, unwilling
To finish packing.
I should be excited, but
I cannot make myself so.

[Deleted]

A walk at lunchtime
Co-workers ahead and aft
A break to the day
A sweet treat in the middle
We should do this every day

(Yesterday was National Walk at Lunchtime Day. Did you walk at lunchtime?)

[Deleted]

Is it Friday now?
What happened to my whole week?
I'm so not ready.
Can I delay my weekend?
Who plans this darn calendar?

[Deleted]

Last day of the month.
Am I the only one here?
I hope you others
have been saving your poems
and will post them in bulk soon.

[Please Delete]

Okay, a half month of poems (minus one missed day):

30 April

Memories of friends
Gathered around the garden
Drinking and laughing
Now the garden is empty,
And the last cart is leaving.

29 April

Here in the darkness
Silence echoes in my head
In the chill of night.
So many thoughts in the day
Are sent to oblivion.

28 April

Gentle drops of rain
Caress the face of the earth
And bring forth new life.
There, in the womb of the earth
Spring is born anew once more.

27 April

Happiness is not
Having what you desire
In this dewdrop world;
Rather it is this one thing:
Desiring that which you have.

26 April

Young spring bamboo shoots
Burst forth from the loamy soil
Around an old stump.
Memories of the ancients
Soon hidden by new ideas.

25 April

Gazing at the sun
Burning bright in the spring sky
With a gentle breeze
In such conditions as these
Who can think of suffering?

24 April

On a clear spring day
A sudden lightning bolt strikes--
No cloud in the sky.
Gentlemen scurry like mice
Beneath the wisteria.

23 April

Passing daytime thoughts
Drift like clouds upon the wind
Through the conscious mind;
These errant rain clouds float on
The ground soaked in memories.

22 April (missed!)

21 April

As the storm winds blow
The reed trembles before it
But does not break;
The thousand year old boulder
Is worn through by mere water.

20 April

In this dew drop world
There is nothing permanent
All things change with time
The solid earth will one day
Become a cloud of stardust.

19 April

Launched by the wild winds
Maple seed helicopters
Rise into the sky;
Where will their journey take them,
Floating like boats on the wind?

18 April

Dressed in their black robes
A trio of gentlemen
Fishing from the rocks
Oh, to have such lazy days
Instead of this daily grind.

17 April

黒城が
大鯰にて
荒らせつは
武御雷が
どこにありかな？

16 April

A day for freedom
That impacted so many
Now known by too few;
What is a single life worth
When we are really the same?