Whirling Haiku and Senryu

 
The first line of each haiku or senryu below is taken from “Dreams Are Also Wounds” by the Afrikaans poet Breyten Breytenbach.
 

Secretly and small
my meddlesome intention
troubles me again.
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
How green were the birds—
or were they flags fluttering
in the Zocalo?
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
Even a parrot
can be sacred to the one
cast aside by God.
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
A yellow parrot
elaborated my words—
flames fell from her tongue.
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
a scar in my flesh—
residue of rituals
carved out long ago
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
Birds in the gardens—
a visit to six feeders
satisfies the wren.
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
Are kings rich in trees
or only in squat demons
brooding near their thrones?
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
Are mere husks of flesh
enough to reach the summit,
or will you need more?
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
into walking sticks
you may transform lengths of string
by incantations
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
destined to wither—
the indigenous peoples
that forsake their way
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
inkdrops from my heart—
they have scant significance
for those who write not
 
~~ ~~ ~~
 
enters the poem
sexy elegant goddess
swiveling her hips

 
© 2012 by Magical Mystical Teacher
 
 
More The Sunday Whirl, Wordle 56