侘 寂

silence.  midnight.
head bowed, white hair –
errant frost catches moonlight.
silence. crickets sleep.
sword across her knees
catches moonlight.
silence. dew falls.
wings flutter.
owl settles.
silence.

mi ni shimu

dark night – quiet. sound
of cicadas a memory.
empty night – empty heart.

完璧 – Explanation for David

 

perfection is seen reflected
in the blade of my sword

greens and golds
melt on the blade
with a thin edge of blue

snow swirling,
resting, melting,
white glimmers,
now red as it reflects
early blooms of quince

blood rust, sun gold
seasons change
shades of grey

glints of starlight and full moon
in the blackness after midnight

an ever changing picture
less than two inches wide

Branches

At last, it has come
To this.  Resolution hangs
To the branch like a

Maple leaf in autumn
Or cherry blossoms in spring
Or snow caught between

The trunk and the branch.
Nothing lasts.