04 Jul 2018
by kanzensakura
in Musings
Tags: camera flash, clarence whie, free verse, melancholy
For Kerry’s Camera Flash prompt at Real Toads.
dead flowers
in the morning
the sadness of summer sun
seeps through the curtains,
warmth seen but not felt –
the soap smells of flowers
wilted and long dead

Morning by Clarence White 1906 fair use
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14 Apr 2016
by kanzensakura
in General Poetry, Musings
Tags: cherry blossoms, dVerse Poets Pub, free verse, hanami, loss, melancholy
This is posted for Open Link Night at dVerse. Come visit to read a variety of poems by some talented writers!

public domain image
Hazasakura*
so long we wait for the blooms –
through the long winter watching the
tiny bits of reddish brown bud grow larger –
through snow, dark days, moonless nights
the buds grow larger and one day
they burst into bloom.
Too brief their time of beauty.
By the end of the day blossoms fade
and blow away in the wind or drift
to the ground in sakura snow.
A hard rain this morning.
Petals washed down and ground into the mud
by the relentless raindrop armies
churned into oblivion.
A walk down the lane to the creek this afternoon –
fresh smell of pine needles and cedar
from the surrounding woods –
the usually clear water muddy from the rain.
I try to see my image but only see shadowy
reflections from the trees.
I return home already missing the cherry blossoms.
I stuff my hands in my pockets
having to accept the truth of cherry blossoms:
the blossoms have to die so the green leaves can live.
It’s a long wait until next Hanami.

*hazasakura – term for green cherry trees after the blossoms have fallen.
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29 Sep 2012
by kanzensakura
in General Poetry
Tags: Japan, loneliness, love, melancholy, poetry
Grey day
End of day
Malaise
Inside weeping
Searching for
Sun
But only find
Melancholy
Ennui
Even the nishkigoi
Are sluggish
And lethargic
Under my fingers
As the food floats
On the water
I use a finger
To ripple the surface
And one grabs a bit
And goes to the bottom of the pond
Tears well as I
Look up to the grey ski
I sigh deeply.
It is 4:30 pm here
In Hakone it is 5:30 am
You are sleeping.
I close my eyes
And in my head
I see your face
Calm
I wish I could touch
Your cheek
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