tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20253142.post-11587136683429714412007-10-27T18:43:00.000+09:002007-10-28T23:26:17.558+09:00Here are some things that limited space and passed deadline prevented from being considered for inclusion in the forthcoming Hailstone book due in December. Not to worry: we have this blog to fool around with. What didn't get into the book, can be eaten up right here.<br />This spat of poems was composed in the shadow of Mikami Jinja, out Yasu way in Shiga Pref. A very old shrine, it is the leading god of the area and a very busy place all year round. The haiku are seasonal, but were all written at nearly the same time, not in the seasons they celebrate.<br />Munch away:<br /><br />can’t fall for fall ‘cause<br />winter’s nearing;<br />yet, these sunsets do make sense<br /><br />sunset over the shrine<br />viewed beneath the torii:<br />too much, too much<br /><br />a red torii<br />up thru this deep snow<br />warms me on a black-white day<br /><br />shrine green, shrine crimson,<br />shrine breeze, shrine banners,<br />welcome me to shrine spring<br /><br />shimmering shrine in August’s heat,<br />red torii burning my eyes<br /><br />beside the torii, beside its pond,<br />beside my girl, beside myself<br /><br />the black troops flying home,<br />rest on the torii, watch,<br />with me, our sunset<br /><br />"Black troops" refers to the countless crows on the east side of Lake Biwa. Beyond numbering.Richard Steinerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01744044235183657568noreply@blogger.com