But let's see what Jen tells us:
As you may already know, Masaoka Shiki was struck by a severe form of tuberculosis when he was 22 years old. Tuberculosis is a disease that attacks the lungs and causes the sufferer to cough up blood and lung tissue. He changed his name from “Noboru” to “Shiki” – after a bird that (in Japanese legend) coughs blood when it sings. In later years, the tuberculosis attacked his spine as well.The man
I used to meet in the mirror
is no more.
Now I see a wasted face.
It dribbles tears.© Masaoka Shiki
in memory ofthe spring now passing
I drew
the long clusters of wisteria
that move like waves© Masaoka Shiki
lady in waiting
young blossoming flower
with summer's passing
harvest time comes near
and new life begins
young blossoming flower
with summer's passing
harvest time comes near
and new life begins
© G.s.k. '14
new life always brings smiles. the clock moves through the seasons for the lady...
ReplyDeleteNicely penned tanka
life's cycles bring to mind the seasons that flow one into another. Thaks for commenting!
Deletereally vibrant tanka... i love the picture too...
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm happy you enjoyed both!
DeleteHarvest time has so many connotations here -- this makes it a wonderful tanka -- you've moved us from spring to summer to autumn in the space of a few lines. This is great Georgia!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen, I was trying to slip into the spirit of Shiki ... your comment is makes me smile! (I may dance a boogy now ;-) )
DeleteNone of us thinks we're going to get old. Some of us are right. Most of us are not.
ReplyDeletePeering Under the Bean Leaves
Too true ... and often we feel very young dispite our age or very old.
Deletewoman in waiting to blossom...what a lovely tanka, Georgia and I love your blog! I may consider reusing my old blogspot for haiku since so many prompts come from here. Brava, cara!!
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I kind of like this format (now that I'm getting used to it) They also have a wonderful choice of fonts and it's dead easy to upload photos! I'm replying though with my WordPress account instead of my google account and I wonder if this will cause difficulties. Can you tell me if you are able to see my reply?
ReplyDeleteJust because it is on my mind, because a young friend is pregnant...
ReplyDeletethat is what your verse reminded me of -
Harvest is a kind of pregnancy. The birth of seeds planted :)
Thanks for the link and the visit. ~Jules
In my mind ... harvest is the end of pregnancy ... the fruit of the seed early planted. Welcome to the link glad you didn't mind :-)
Deletenice one Georgia. I love connections between nature and people
ReplyDeleteThanks Belinda ... I tend to think as people being a part of nature ;-)
ReplyDelete