Long Nature seasons Poems

The Original Sin: Rhyming Haiku!
 
Haiku
should never rhyme:
it’s a crime!
-Michael R. Burch
 
The herons stand,
sentry-like, at attention ...
rigid observers of some unknown command.
-Michael R. Burch
 
Late
fall;
all
the golden leaves turn black underfoot:
soot
-Michael R. Burch
 
Dry leaf...

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The first soft snow: 
leaves of the awed jonquil 
bow low
—Matsuo Basho translation by Michael R. Burch

Come, investigate loneliness! 
a solitary leaf
clings to the Kiri tree
—Matsuo Basho translation by Michael R. Burch

The cheerful-chirping cricket
contends gray...

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Dusk-gliding swallow, 
please spare my small friends
flitting among the flowers! 
—Matsuo Basho translation by Michael R. Burch

A bee emerging
from deep within the peony's hairy recesses
flies off, sated
—Matsuo Basho translation by Michael R. Burch

That dying cricket,...

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These are translations of some of the oldest Japanese waka, which evolved into tanka, renga and haiku. 

While you decline to cry,
high on the mountainside
a single stalk of plumegrass wilts.
—O no Yasumaro (circa 711), translation...

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Leaves settle on the earth, embracing the hearts who remember, when they were lifted toward heaven on the wings of a gentle whisper… silencing the doubts of those who suspects the beauty each tree sparks,...

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Of all of the beautiful seasons, I like summertime the best.
As with blooms, greenery, and bird talk, it is richly blest.

When comes dazzlingly warm weather, life moves out of doors,
For the gardens we vacated in...

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                                  ...

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I was a professional landscaper, with passion for nature, and a green thumb,
Like passions of smothering, dreamy nighttime, to which we gladly succumb.

My work took me to many gardens, set in the butterscotch zones of...

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When I visit another place, another state, another note
Who writes its hope, its grace, its peace
From the gentle rains, the tranquil rivers and streams
The broken tears of a mourning dew, silent as the joy
Who abides...

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The earth slips into a deep sleep
all beneath its surface now dormant
sleepy animals curled up in their dens
soon to fall into the sleep of hibernation
all now slowed down awaiting the snows
trees now denude of their...

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Originating from a tropical country
My family and I decided to go to Taiwan
We were on an airbus, big and long
Sitting with each other and playing
We set off heading to the east
My, was it a long...

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CHINESE TRANSLATIONS IV

These are English translations of Chinese poems about nature, the seasons, autumn, winter, spring, night, time, tears, flowers and love. 

Seeking a Mooring
by Wang Wei
loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

A leaf drifts through...

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I awoke to find 
that Jack Frost had paid a visit 
to my bedroom windows
for the very first time 
this Winter.

If only I had seen him at work
I would have thanked him
for decorating 
my otherwise...

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My favorite hobby has always been scrapbooking
It's such a creative activity to do
For pictures and poems, I'm always looking
Forever scanning magazines through and through

I look for pictures of people and places
Some happy, some excited, some...

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I've lain beneath this sugar maple before.
In fact, I know it quite well.
And it's seen me and watched me throughout the seasons.
And it has its own stories to tell.

In Spring, it would hear about all...

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Gentle as the sunlight,
Reflecting hope over snow covered ground,
Softening the heart and soul…
	With a soothing whisper,
The kiss of kindness, blissful – healing,
	Wistful memories, silent dreams
All the blessings, the many things…
That make up a lifetime, timeless...

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The potato plant's roots keep yielding her precious fruits,
As the youth of the Spring's breeze blows through the trees,
To provide the shadows of life on its green leaves,
A bastard child is born without the presence...

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In like a lamb out like lion    												     The little diamond sail rides a March ide  										 Some sayings true line upon line  										  ...

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In my dreams, sitting by the fire, listening
To the sigh of winter’s whispering
Just beyond the window, a mystery
Breathing laughter through the heavens
In stars, shimmering messily, like they
Know what it is to be glowing just beyond
The...

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Lessons of Autumn

Summaries of schooling
   — lessons upon lessons guiding
Thoughts in class after class…as bells ring…
Volumes to consider about ways of interpreting…
As the world takes Life on a continuous spin
   ...

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White Magic 

In our uninhibited exuberance for the beauties of Mother Nature;
We sometimes seem to forget the strength of nature’s dark force.
Peel back the layers of beauty only to discover a sinister black magic,
Hidden amid...

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There you are again,
When I look out of my window,
I see you staring back.
I see your glistening outline flowing through the night,
Shining through the day.
With you standing so near, yet feeling so far.
Being old, you...

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The night before the longest day a man
Went walking on the chalk path on the hill
Collecting stars. He had a little pan
To sift them as they fall, for fall they will

Some crumble quickly into silver...

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Spring things arrive, assaulting eyes unused; 
Hollowed by a winter grey, whitened paint infused. 

Bleeding sudden kaleidoscopes to landscapes, 
Cacophonies of endless greetings, drowning pain 
As nature comes with energies and hunger once again.

Along a...

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Spring sashay this way 

Oh look a little babbling brook a classic country scenic site 
Listen to its babbling bliss It is like a greeting from the brooks water sprite,
As the water babbles over pebbles...

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