Whirlings: for Adrienne Rich
Poet Adrienne Rich died at her home in Santa Cruz, California on Tuesday, 27 March 2012. Each haiku or senryu below begins with a five-syllable phrase taken from poems in Rich’s book Midnight Salvage, and includes one of this week’s Wordle words.
Their newfound passions
will trick them time and again—
yet nothing’s wasted.
~~ ~~ ~~
guitars at sunset
taste of wine still on my tongue—
tell me your story
~~ ~~ ~~
You wanted the words
to be in the shape of plums?
Here, take just one bite.
~~ ~~ ~~
on Tomales Bay
string drifting in the current—
a narrative thread
~~ ~~ ~~
How can you hear me
if all I do is whisper
ten thousand proverbs?
~~ ~~ ~~
There is the table
where I wish to be seated—
sonnets for breakfast.
~~ ~~ ~~
From frugal larders
we will scrounge enough to pack
for our odyssey.
~~ ~~ ~~
Feed the feral cats,
but do not try to pet them—
they know where you live.
~~ ~~ ~~
a mammal heartbeat
small paw groping for purchase
on the milk-filled teat
~~ ~~ ~~
thirty years in love
and her amber eyes still shine—
she’s heard all my jokes
~~ ~~ ~~
For personal use
you need one small point of light
to pierce the darkness.
~~ ~~ ~~
under the freeway
the smell of unwashed bodies—
Church of the Homeless
© 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher
More The Sunday Whirl, Wordle 50
More The Poetry Pantry #95
More Poetry Picnic Week 29
will trick them time and again—
yet nothing’s wasted.
~~ ~~ ~~
guitars at sunset
taste of wine still on my tongue—
tell me your story
~~ ~~ ~~
You wanted the words
to be in the shape of plums?
Here, take just one bite.
~~ ~~ ~~
on Tomales Bay
string drifting in the current—
a narrative thread
~~ ~~ ~~
How can you hear me
if all I do is whisper
ten thousand proverbs?
~~ ~~ ~~
There is the table
where I wish to be seated—
sonnets for breakfast.
~~ ~~ ~~
From frugal larders
we will scrounge enough to pack
for our odyssey.
~~ ~~ ~~
Feed the feral cats,
but do not try to pet them—
they know where you live.
~~ ~~ ~~
a mammal heartbeat
small paw groping for purchase
on the milk-filled teat
~~ ~~ ~~
thirty years in love
and her amber eyes still shine—
she’s heard all my jokes
~~ ~~ ~~
For personal use
you need one small point of light
to pierce the darkness.
~~ ~~ ~~
under the freeway
the smell of unwashed bodies—
Church of the Homeless
© 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher
More The Sunday Whirl, Wordle 50
More The Poetry Pantry #95
More Poetry Picnic Week 29
Posted on April 1, 2012, in Adrienne Rich, haiku, Poetry Picnic, senryu, The Poetry Pantry, The Sunday Whirl. Bookmark the permalink. 24 Comments.
What a lovely idea, and you have developed it so well. I particuarly liked you narrative thread!
Yes, absolutely agree with Viv … what a lovely tribute and exquisite haikus… Thank you 🙂
You have truly honored Adrienne Rich with your words! (And sonnets for breakfast? I think I would like that.)
I admire Adrienne Rich and am delighted. I tasted each one.
It does not do to arrive with a comment, even in fifth place. I agree with all they said above. Both lovely and clever.
Your “non-comment” is most welcome! 🙂
This is a fabulous tribute. Wow!
A lovely tribute to Adrienne Rich; a marvelous idea for your poems this week. And so well done. I can’t name a favorite – they’re all so good. Thank you.
Richard
A beautiful tribute… I especially like the second one.
Yes, a wonderful and clever tribute, mmt.
Pamela
Thank you for this. I can not begin to tell you the impact Adrienne Rich has had in my life. I am sorry to hear of her passing. I love your wordle honouring her.
wonderful tribute to an inspiring genius…also a brilliant set of poems that attain a startling unity of their own.loved it.
Church of the homeless.. very nice…. have a good picnic
Beautiful set of haikus, mmt.
My fav………..The Church of the Homeless……
I love them.
Lovely haikus – especially like the feral cats and the wisdom therein!
Anna :o]
While all are delightful, I really enjoyed #3 and #5. Thank you, MMT!
A beautiful tribute. You’ve inspired me to read up on her.
great haikus!
this part i like :
How can you hear me
if all I do is whisper
ten thousand proverbs?
great write!
inspiring! wonderful:)
“sonnet for breakfast”, “thirty years in love”, “church for the homeless” – some of my favorite ones here. Lovely compositions all!
“sonnets for breakfast”, “thirty years in love”, “church for the homeless” – some of my favorite ones here. Lovely compositions all!
Yes, I believe I will avoid those feral cats, thank you!