Haiku and Senryu by the Dozen
No one makes a map
for the place you want to go—
you must make your own.
~~ ~~ ~~
I have no answer
for the seekers at the door—
turn them all away.
~~ ~~ ~~
Stray cat at my door,
begging for a bowl of milk—
has God come calling?
~~ ~~ ~~
Come, let us carry
the heavy, cumbersome load—
act of devotion.
~~ ~~ ~~
smoke from the hogan
riders return home at dusk
all the sheep are safe
~~ ~~ ~~
In an aspen copse,
one old woman stands alone,
entranced by the leaves.
~~ ~~ ~~
Sunflower Maiden,
why are you so reluctant
to dance in winter?
~~ ~~ ~~
An old drunk stumbles,
falls into the fresh cement—
now he is sidewalk.
~~ ~~ ~~
To play our old game,
you must sharpen your senses
on a smooth, round stone.
~~ ~~ ~~
With a volcano,
you know what you are getting—
with a murmur, no.
~~ ~~ ~~
Pelt me with dirt clods,
see if I flinch or cry out,
then go wash your hands.
~~ ~~ ~~
dense as river stone
bread made by the monks at dawn
in ovens of grace
© 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher
More The Sunday Whirl, Wordle 45
More The Poetry Pantry #89
for the place you want to go—
you must make your own.
~~ ~~ ~~
I have no answer
for the seekers at the door—
turn them all away.
~~ ~~ ~~
Stray cat at my door,
begging for a bowl of milk—
has God come calling?
~~ ~~ ~~
Come, let us carry
the heavy, cumbersome load—
act of devotion.
~~ ~~ ~~
smoke from the hogan
riders return home at dusk
all the sheep are safe
~~ ~~ ~~
In an aspen copse,
one old woman stands alone,
entranced by the leaves.
~~ ~~ ~~
Sunflower Maiden,
why are you so reluctant
to dance in winter?
~~ ~~ ~~
An old drunk stumbles,
falls into the fresh cement—
now he is sidewalk.
~~ ~~ ~~
To play our old game,
you must sharpen your senses
on a smooth, round stone.
~~ ~~ ~~
With a volcano,
you know what you are getting—
with a murmur, no.
~~ ~~ ~~
Pelt me with dirt clods,
see if I flinch or cry out,
then go wash your hands.
~~ ~~ ~~
dense as river stone
bread made by the monks at dawn
in ovens of grace
© 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher
More The Sunday Whirl, Wordle 45
More The Poetry Pantry #89
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Posted on February 26, 2012, in haiku, senryu, The Poetry Pantry, The Sunday Whirl. Bookmark the permalink. 10 Comments.
“now you are sidewalk” funny and dark. I love the idea of that cat at the door being god come calling… All of these take me somewhere. Thank you for the hogan and sheep haiku, too. You capture the feeling of moments by painting them so beautifully. I’m glad you write each week at the Whirl, and I’m doubly glad that you keep gifting us with haiku.
I look forward to your haiku/senryu to the wordles. These, too, are delightful. I love how you used “pelt” as a verb instead of a noun. And how you contrasted “volcano” with “murmur” – brilliant. Thank you for these lovely poems.
Richard
All are beautiful! This is my ‘fav’ –
No one makes a map
for the place you want to go—
you must make your own.
Agreed!!
Like coming into an ice cream shop— so hard to choose.
But after a while I think my favorite is ….
Sunflower Maiden,
why are you so reluctant
to dance in winter?
For you; magicalmysticalteacher…
Feb 27, 2012
‘you there’ here i am
‘sigh’lently reading your words
we are connected
JP/davh
…I am in that aspen copse…enchanted again by your haiku and delighted to again meet you.
I love these. I am very fond of short poems and you are very skilled at saying a with few words. Thanks for visiting my blog as well!
I’m with Peggy – and so envious as well – I’m terrible at doing anything short and you’re so masterful … these are lovely … well done.
The Lone Wolf can be found at THE WAY EYE SEE IT:
http://aleapingelephant.blogspot.com/2012/02/last-wolf.html
a beautiful response to the wordle (note to self: must try this approach next time!) – I especially love the 3rd and the final haikus… ok, my favourite of favourites:
Stray cat at my door,
begging for a bowl of milk—
has God come calling?
The volcano haiku made me grin, and the aspen one showed me my possible future – I fully expect to be an old woman entranced by leaves one day.
i love your original forms for the wordle; so much fun to read. Enlightening.