I began working on this poem last spring but had it in a “work on this later” file. Kathleen, our guest at dVerse Poets Pub came up with the wonderful prompt of March Winds. I had submitted early but my mind kept coming back to this and so, I pulled out a brush and soap and scrubbed it up some. Thank you Kathleen for this beautiful prompt and getting me going on this poem! I love the Japanese words for Spring Wind (there are several) but to me this speaks so much of birth, renewal, joy…Kaze hikaru – shining wind. It is almost a holy breath in the way it is said and the naming of such a wind.
Flowering Cherry and Maples with Poem Slips, By Tosa Mitsuoki (approx. 1617-1691)
Shining Wind/Kaze Hikaru
Gone the bitter winter winds,
Gone the birds huddled in my flowering quince
Seeking shelter from cruel winter wind.
They have taken wing to the skies
In the shining winds of spring:
Kaze hikaru.
Gone the thieving winds,
Gone the hostile winds
Replaced by friendly winds
That beckon us to run and chase robins
These shining winds of spring:
Kaze hikaru.
Gone the punishing winds
Gone the freezing winds
Shivering bare branches
Now blooming with blossoms fetched
By the shining winds of spring:
Kaze hikaru.
Gone the forbidding winds
Gone the silencing winds
That take the words from our mouths
We speak and sing and whistle
In tune with the shining winds of spring:
Kaze hikaru
kanzen sakura 
Mar 18, 2015 @ 22:13:16
How lovely is this! Such a wonderful expression – the shining winds of spring. So happy you chose to scrub it up and share this breath of spring with us – K
Mar 18, 2015 @ 22:27:28
Thank you! I had almost forgotten it.
Mar 18, 2015 @ 23:11:08
An active poem. I could literally feel that wind in my mind. Awesome!
Mar 18, 2015 @ 23:41:33
Great! and now comes the shining wind of spring…yayyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mar 18, 2015 @ 23:47:52
woooshhh…..
Mar 19, 2015 @ 01:04:39
This is phenomenally good–makes me a smidge envious!
Mar 19, 2015 @ 01:10:22
It shouldn’t. We all have our voices and how we share them. Sometimes we write things that are amazing, other times, things that just plain bite. Which is why I had put this one away for more work….it was a.w.f.u.l. But I was ready for it this time. Never ever compare your work to that of anyone else. That is what makes those of us who write – unique. We all have our voice and it comes out of us in different ways.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 01:25:29
It is just one of my ways of paying a great compliment. Having written for 50 yrs, I rarely compare myself seriously to others anymore.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 01:28:58
Good for you! Thank you for the compliment. I will gladly take it and smile.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 01:47:32
I love the term the shining wind – the repetition of the different aspects in the winter wind is especially effective.. So much hope in that wind.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 11:06:03
The Japanese have so many different ways to describe seasons and the events of the seasons. They even have 50 different words for rain.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 01:51:17
Oh my gosh I loovvve this! Beautifully written 💐
Mar 19, 2015 @ 11:04:40
🙂 Thank you.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 02:01:42
Excellent … very very beautiful and effective with the repetition technique… and what imagery!
Mar 19, 2015 @ 10:54:37
Thank you!
Mar 19, 2015 @ 02:51:53
i love this!!! so many wonderful ways to describe the winds of winter! and “shining wind” is such a beautiful phrase. i must echo Bastet’s comment as well ~ love the repetition and stunning imagery!
♥
Mar 19, 2015 @ 10:53:52
Thank you, my friend 😊. And spring just shines….Happy Shining Spring to you.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 05:05:33
Beatiful!! I love the back and forth of this poem between the “good riddance to winter winds” and “welcome to the shining winds of spring.” “Kaze Hikaru”…it indeed does have a holy/hopeful feel to it…
Mar 19, 2015 @ 05:10:42
just shared the link to this with my sister who spent 3 years teaching English in Japan…and 3 years learning to speak Japanese too 🙂 I suspect that this is something that she will enjoy.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 10:34:50
I’m glad you did. Re: your beautiful haiku. I had a hard time with it and it didn’t have the same lovely voice as the English. See if you can get your sister to translate it fo you. I suspect she would do a much better job. but personally, I think it is lovely just as it is.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 11:45:08
thank you. She doesn’t know the full Kanji script, but she could probably see about having some of her friends in Japan do it. Thanks again!
Mar 19, 2015 @ 15:21:39
They would do a better job I know. This deserves the best it can get! My Japanese is terrible. Just as I was learning it fit enough to be spoken, my lover left and returned to Japan. I was left on my own studies and it is okay but….such a complex language!
Mar 19, 2015 @ 10:35:31
Thank you! Spring seems to be a holy season to me.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 05:17:01
This is a brand new idea to me, that the wind can shine…
Loved it, thank you 🙂
Mar 19, 2015 @ 10:33:10
It’s a Japanese thing and they have unique takes on things. Spring is always so new, I think it shines! I am so glad you liked this. thank you!
Mar 19, 2015 @ 05:46:57
Delightful, Kanzen ! – I like this poetry far more than haikus. But that’s just me.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 10:31:58
That’s okay. I think sometimes people think of haiku as being unfinished or abrupt and mentally are saying..so? where’s the rest of it? I like this one myself and glad I brought it out to work on.It was a good exercise to go back through it and re-arrange and change things – like spring cleaning. I am glad you liked this.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 20:00:31
Me too ! 🙂
Mar 19, 2015 @ 21:36:40
❤ ❤ ❤
Mar 19, 2015 @ 21:42:02
A very large brain in a teeny tiny head.
How do you do it ??? [grin]
Mar 19, 2015 @ 06:30:27
truly beautiful – such positivity (much needed by myself) in this poem. and I also enjoyed the rhythm of the words…
Mar 19, 2015 @ 10:30:02
I am so glad you enjoyed! And I hope the positivity gives you a lift.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 08:29:53
I love the contrasting verses, one telling the winter winds to go, the other beckoning us to chase robins and play with the spring wind ~ Happy to read that the prompt inspired your muse to share the lovely verses ~ Thanks for the poetic gem ~
Mar 19, 2015 @ 10:28:50
Thank you! I’m glad the prompt prompted me to pull this out to work on.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 08:58:21
Say goodbye to the harsh winds of winter and hello to kaze hikaru. Lovely poem.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 10:27:58
Thank you! Yes! Spring is on the way.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 15:26:21
i like thieving wind. that wind keeps taking everything away.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 15:54:50
Yes, but not for long! Soon spring will capture those winds and put them in jail.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 16:17:10
many types of wind so true!
this is Lisa a thttp://livehigh2.blogspot.com
Mar 19, 2015 @ 20:24:56
The repetition brings a mantra feeling…I really love the way each portion contains two parts that have such a different feel to them…lots of great sound play as well. Excellent writing…I enjoyed this!
Mar 19, 2015 @ 21:33:04
I’m glad you did. I wanted this feel – like a chant or mantra or religious responsive reading. The words kaze hikaru – shining winds – are specific to spring. They sweep away the darkness and bring the light.
Mar 19, 2015 @ 21:58:35
That’s beautiful. ♥
Mar 23, 2015 @ 15:08:34
Beautiful, Kanzen! I am so happy I did not miss this. 🙂 Hope everything is super in your world!! ❤
Mar 23, 2015 @ 22:20:46
Thank you. Actually, I am in deep grief over the loss of a loved one. I thank you that you read this. I can see you reading this and now I know you will remember “shining wind” and smile.
Mar 24, 2015 @ 08:33:14
I’m so sorry for your loss, Kanzen. I send you love and comfort in this time of mourning. I know how hard this time is and I will pray for you. ❤
Mar 24, 2015 @ 09:37:48
I thank you so much. I truly do appreciate the prayers. 💗