For dVerse Poets, a quadrille. The word for today Is “dragon”.
黒い竜 Kuroi ryū (black dragon)
“So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their endings.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit or There and Back Again
He reminded me of a black dragon – lethal, beautiful. He moved with a suppleness that hypnotized me. But in the summer he returned to his mountain in Japan. Alone in his cave he smoldered.
deep summer night
in the darkness –
the first firefly awakens
Japanese dragons have four claws on each “hand”. their colors are significant. a black dragon is the ultimate in dangerous being and they also, possess a gentle wisdom.
kanzen sakura 
Jun 03, 2019 @ 15:12:55
The haiku ending this is just splendid… such sadness to lose a dragon like that.
Jun 03, 2019 @ 15:16:21
How beautiful, Toni. The haiku is especially fantastic, and I LOVE the Tolkien quote.
Jun 03, 2019 @ 15:26:10
I love the Tolkien quote, Toni, and the thought of your Japanese dragon smouldering in his mountain cave. The haiku is fabulous.
Jun 03, 2019 @ 15:44:58
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #8: Toni Spencer’s latest #quadrille #haibun for #dversepoets!
Jun 03, 2019 @ 15:48:11
I like the contrast between the prose and the haiku – the haiku holds a flash of hope, for me.
Jun 03, 2019 @ 15:55:49
I love your haibun quadrilles, Toni, and that lethal black dragon.
Jun 03, 2019 @ 16:00:33
I see a hint, a connection between your past Japanese paramour and the black dragon. I almost chose that quote, but then went with another.
Jun 03, 2019 @ 16:45:38
I love the black dragon Toni.
Jun 03, 2019 @ 16:46:25
This was excellent Toni, and I enjoyed the background Japanese dragons!
Jun 03, 2019 @ 16:49:56
great imagery.
Jun 03, 2019 @ 18:21:36
A mesmerising write. I can just picture this black dragon.
Jun 03, 2019 @ 18:43:47
Hurrah for the fireflies! Great write
Jun 04, 2019 @ 00:40:38
I love the twist from dragons to fireflies – from the epically powerful and dangerous, to the very small and awe inspiring, dark to light.
Jun 04, 2019 @ 16:10:37
Ah, the firefly like a spark of the dragon’s breath.
Jun 04, 2019 @ 16:41:23
This is so good — the sadness of the prose transmuting into that sign of return/smoldering life perhaps in the haiku. And it is such a lovely haiku indeed!
Jun 04, 2019 @ 19:12:48
Thank you!
Jun 04, 2019 @ 17:40:16
Oooh — love the “first firefly”, perfect Haiku pulling in the dragon!
Jun 04, 2019 @ 18:28:09
Thank you!
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Jun 04, 2019 @ 22:05:17
Beautiful. Question – I thought in haiku’s one is to hint at a season, not come out and name it like you did “summer” ?
Jun 04, 2019 @ 22:14:38
Because you don’t akways name the season. I wanted this to be about the firsy firefly. It depends on the writer as well and the effect. I have been writing haiku for 45 years. They are all different in mood and intent, as long az the season iz implied or named.
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Jun 04, 2019 @ 22:29:59
I’m not an “uptight’ poet – I bend rules all the time. I just have tried to educate myself on Japanese poetry and, as you know, it is not easy and people “bend the rules” perhaps a wee bit too much. Thanks.
Jun 04, 2019 @ 22:40:34
I think people bend the rules too much. Basho mentions mosquitos, Festival of the Dolls, etc to give a seasonal touch. As long as it is seasonal, I don’t really care. It can be 5-7-5 or not. But to a haiku, you have to have seasonal. I get really annoyed at people who use haiku and do not have a seasonal word(s)
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Jun 05, 2019 @ 08:12:41
Mysterious, with a tinge of sadness and longing – not much more one can ask for in a poem.
Jun 05, 2019 @ 14:36:33
Digging the comparison.
Jun 07, 2019 @ 07:56:57
This is sad–full of longing, but lovely, too. I love the haiku.
Jun 07, 2019 @ 11:58:05
Thank you
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Jun 09, 2019 @ 15:31:02
You breathed ethereal life into your Dragon, and I loved the haiku.
Jun 09, 2019 @ 16:47:44
Thank you Barry. You always are so very kind
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