Whirling with Basho

Each haiku or senryu begins with a phrase gleaned from Basho: The Complete Haiku.

~~ 1 ~~

gazing at buckwheat
seven crows collaborate
on a thieving plan

~~ 2 ~~

a singing skylark—
I listen without breathing
to the joyful sound

~~ 3 ~~

the melon flower
after the children throw stones
who will care for it

~~ 4 ~~

a year of troubles
lived without compromising
her integrity

~~ 5 ~~

Are you the butterfly
that will serve to guide my steps
on the long journey?

~~ 6 ~~

the source of sadness
in their small community—
receding river

~~ 7 ~~

a white azalea
blooming in a state of grace—
my neighbor’s garden

~~ 8 ~~

the muddy melon
they chat about its sweetness
in the market stall

~~ 9 ~~

to admire the wind
she must have had no contact
with it since childhood

~~ 10 ~~

by winter showers
decades of matrimony
washing down the street

~~ 11 ~~

a vendor of greens—
concerns about the collards
make for sleepless nights

~~ 12 ~~

souvenir paintings
no time to buy one before
the next train departs

© 2014 by Magical Mystical Teacher

More Poetry Pantry #216

More The Sunday Whirl, Wordle 176

Posted on August 31, 2014, in 5-7-5, Basho, The Poetry Pantry, The Sunday Whirl and tagged care, chat, collaborate, community, compromising, concerns, contact, decades, listen, serve, state, time. Bookmark the permalink. 17 Comments.

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Comments 17

oldegg | August 31, 2014 at 5:28 am

Certainly No 2 the singing skylark is the most beautiful if you have heard one.

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jae rose | August 31, 2014 at 5:51 am

What a journey..at once it seems rushed but also taken over a long period of time..even long enough for that melon to have grown..

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nan | August 31, 2014 at 6:55 am

Beautiful set – each one so lovely. #5 stood out to me.

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humbird | August 31, 2014 at 7:44 am

Love #10 – layers and humor. Thanks.

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annell4 | August 31, 2014 at 7:58 am

I love them all…#6 about he butterfly caught my eye, I remembered those days, and the thoughts of butterflies…the days recede, at first I only remembered each detailed second, now it is better, only sometimes I am overwhelmed, facing what I could not face then. Thank you for the beautiful collection of words and thoughts.

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Sumana Roy | August 31, 2014 at 8:28 am

if the buckwheat were oilfields we would know who the seven crows were…nice set..

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Sherry Blue Sky | August 31, 2014 at 11:33 am

There is always such depth to ponder in your poems, this time even more so. I especially admire the singing skylark, and the year lived without compromising her integrity. Wowzers! That is a feat!

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Sabra Bowers | August 31, 2014 at 11:34 am

My favorite is four. I love eight and ten. Like the all, a lot.

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atothewr | August 31, 2014 at 1:22 pm

I enjoy your words and images to go along with them. I nominated you for an award. http://apoetryjourney.wordpress.com/2014/08/31/one-lovely-blog-award/

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Susan | August 31, 2014 at 1:51 pm

#2 and #9 stood out for me, but i also enjoyed their place in this walk I took with you.

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Mary | August 31, 2014 at 4:54 pm

Ah, there is nothing like a sweet melon, even though muddy!

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wabi sabi | September 1, 2014 at 6:38 am

I wish I had the time to comment on the emotions and I images evoked by your words. Alas my journey , at the moment , is rocky. Thank God for the butterfly– and your poetry!

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G L Meisner | September 1, 2014 at 9:09 am

A great set. I especially like the last. We always rush.

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LauraALord | September 1, 2014 at 11:43 am

No. 9 really stood out for me. All of them are wonderfully done.

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James Jamztoma Toma | September 1, 2014 at 12:58 pm

Are you the butterfly
that will serve to guide my steps
on the long journey?

this stanza (haiku) made me spread my wings and soar into the air as I visualized it’s imagery. I love your haiku’s very much, keep them coming!!!

Jamztoma
jamztoma.blogspot.com

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ZQ | September 2, 2014 at 12:22 pm

Sometime you push it beyond understanding, other times you pierce our mind for acceptance. Awesome writer, you are 🙂
ZQ

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Cathy | September 3, 2014 at 7:27 pm

1 & 2 are my favorite. And rest just have beautiful images in them.

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