Home » Poems » John Fleming » A Triad of Senryu: The Peeping Tom

A Triad of Senryu: The Peeping Tom

Placing the candle

Upon the wide window board...       

She unpins her hair.
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Her bare white shoulders

Outshine the frail Moon's weak gaze;

Her coy disrobing.
-------------------------------------

Him moving the screen!

Bamboo and silk will not mask

His greedy intent.

addictionpassionsenryu

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Lewis Nyaga

Date: 8/10/2025 11:56:00 AM

Nicely delivered, loving the imagery it evokes..//Blessings

John Fleming
Date: 8/10/2025 12:12:00 PM

Thank you, Lewis...you are very kind. Cheers! :) john

Brenda Chiri

Date: 8/10/2025 9:04:00 AM

Well done John! I love it!;)

John Fleming
Date: 8/11/2025 1:59:00 AM

Without a doubt, Poetess. It's an absolute given! :) john

Brenda Chiri
Date: 8/10/2025 11:32:00 AM

I can’t wait to read them John! But I do miss you reading your work to me!:( but hey maybe we can do that again sometime!:)

John Fleming
Date: 8/10/2025 10:28:00 AM

Thanks, Poetess. I intend to write a fair bit more...fascinating stuff both Japanese and Chinese poetry. :) john

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 8/4/2025 1:19:00 AM

I really liked the imagery. Hmmm, I would call him worse than a peeping Tom if I am getting the last line right!

John Fleming
Date: 8/4/2025 10:54:00 AM

The last Haiku starts by telling us the woman's lover suspects someone has been watching them for his own perverted self-gratification. Rather than rush out and confront him...the lover simply obscures the view. The Peeping Tom is not happy, hence his remark that the screen made from bamboo and silk may well block his view...but he will still hear the lustful coupling that will take place inside the house. The Peeping Tom in this case is harmless enough. No doubt he will get his just-deserts in due course. Lol. :) john

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 8/3/2025 5:02:00 PM

delighted images you created with your words, John. I appreciate the subtle intertwining of the three haikus..nicely done...have a great week, Sara

John Fleming
Date: 8/4/2025 12:36:00 AM

Thank you, Sara...I had fun writing them. :) john

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 8/3/2025 1:31:00 PM

I guess he wanted a better view, nice poem John

John Fleming
Date: 8/3/2025 1:37:00 PM

Thanks, Rose. He should have waited till Richard and myself turned up...he could have taken a turn with Richard's binoculars. Ahh...the impatience of youth - lol! :) john

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 8/3/2025 11:03:00 AM

Oh my, quite the imagery. Well done. Now where did I put those binoculars?

John Fleming
Date: 8/3/2025 1:21:00 PM

Thanks, Richard! The binoculars are back in your bag by the way...I was just using them myself - cheers! :) john

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 8/3/2025 10:30:00 AM

- ... here as well I choose the second one as "my favorite" ... a beautiful picture indeed, John :) - hugs

John Fleming
Date: 8/3/2025 1:19:00 PM

Thank you, Anne-Lise. I think we are all agreed...the second one it is then. :) john

Sara Kendrick

Date: 8/3/2025 9:58:00 AM

Whoa!! I would not want to be in that place in time because it reads as if something bad is going to happen. Thanks for sharing this scary one. It makes one stop and think. Sara K

John Fleming
Date: 8/3/2025 1:15:00 PM

Yes...those Peeping Toms are an absolute blight - Lol! :) john

Sotto Poet

Date: 8/3/2025 5:14:00 AM

Because of what you said, I can clearly picture it in my mind. You have an eye for beauty.

John Fleming
Date: 8/3/2025 5:39:00 AM

Thank you, Sotto Poet...your generous words are most kind. Very much appreciated! :) john

Eileen Manassian

Date: 8/3/2025 12:55:00 AM

Well, seems like she is enjoying it as well. Intriguing write.

John Fleming
Date: 8/3/2025 3:22:00 AM

Hi, Eileen. The wretched Peeping Tom was sussed out in the end. No fun for him...the unsavory scoundrel - lol! Many thanks, Eileen! :) john

James Peranteau

Date: 8/2/2025 8:40:00 PM

yep, you titled your write correctly likewise, i once said that i admired the "Haiku" writer...did you know; "kireji," which refers to "cutting words" in Japanese poetry, specifically haiku and renku. Kireji are words that function like punctuation marks, creating a pause or break in the verse and often adding emotional or structural depth. They are a key element in traditional Japanese poetry, helping to juxtapose images or ideas. I enjoyed your write dear poet....much love

John Fleming
Date: 8/3/2025 3:18:00 AM

Really enjoyed and appreciated your informative remarks, James. Much to consider here. Many thanks! :) john