Long Perfuming Poems

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...

Read More

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,...

Read More

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...

Read More

Grasses wilt:
the braking locomotive
grinds to a halt
—Yamaguchi Seishi, translation by Michael R. Burch

Oh, fallen camellias,
if I were you,
I'd leap into the torrent!
—Takaha Shugyo, translation by Michael R. Burch

The first soft snow:
leaves of the awed jonquil
bow...

Read More

My spirit has been calling to get up and go to the sea
My spirit has been telling me that there is something for me to see
My spirit is calling me to fly over the big...

Read More

Something prolific pulled me from my bed
It dragged me through the battered door  
and land me on the main road
I wasn't dreaming or sleep walking
I wasn't having an outer body experience
I was literally walking...

Read More

Li Bai translations

These are my modern English translations of Chinese poems by Li Bai, also known as Li Po.



Zazen on Ching-t’ing Mountain
by Li Bai
translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Now the birds have deserted the sky
and the...

Read More

Such sweet fragrance
though solitary bloom
abiding dreams in ruin
of unapt hopes to be hewn 

Through soil cracked 
and parched by thirst
reluctant tears fell harder
upon a seed of lingering hurt

Yet hope like sunlight warmed
under canopy of night
an...

Read More

Chinese Translations III

Quiet Night Thoughts
by Li Bai aka Li Po
translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Moonlight illuminates my bed
as frost brightens the ground.
Lifting my eyes, the moon allures.
Lowering my eyes, I long for home.


The Solitude of Night
by...

Read More

Sappho Translations IV by Michael R. Burch

Sappho, fragment 133
translation by Michael R. Burch

Blushing bride, brimful of rose-petaled love,
brightest jewel of the Goddess of Paphos,
come to the bridal bed,
tenderly entice your bridegroom.
May Hesperus lead you starry-eyed
to...

Read More

She here elbowed past me stomping, pausing not (although me whomping
With her wildly swinging handbag – five kilograms, if not more).
Cackling brusquely in a lather, that I should her baggage gather,
She then made a beeline...

Read More

Dark clouds gather in the sky
                             ...

Read More

I beckon nature to play her Symphony of Spring
when everything comes alive, revived once more.
When resident avian will have a chorus as backup, 
perched along limbs and branches of aged oaks,
arrayed in dresses the hue...

Read More

Ah... already the summer 
approaches closing time,
but yours truly can squeeze 
one more rhyme 
before September first,
thus the following lines after...

Brainstorming, concentrating
panning... for poem
idea shattered brew
tilly by deafening seasonal
greensward cutting crew
contracted throughout summer to mow
leaves...

Read More

Springtime

Cascades of dainty Narcissus smile with golden faces
Drinking up the sun as morning warmth embraces.

2-12-22

YOUR BEST RHYMING COUPLET, #4 Poetry Contest~7th place out of 10 winners~
Sponsored by: L MILTON HANKINS |

Taken From:

The Wealth of Spring

Assorted...

Read More

Enchanted was I with a cloying scent...
whiffs of wild magnolia
mingled with the woodsy tang
of her lemon verbena perfuming the air
Like Samson's strength, the sun's threads of gold
were clipped by silver shears 
of an ascending pearlescent...

Read More

Brainstorming, concentrating
panning... for poem
idea shattered brew
tilly by deafening seasonal
greensward cutting crew
contracted throughout summer to mow

leaves of grass
every Tuesday, which drew
attention toward fragrant aroma
seeping into nostrils
of me - match hew,
heavily negated true

quiescence courtesy ear splitting
soundcloud of...

Read More

The Wealth of Spring

Assorted spring flowers, naked, rise in morning sun
Breaking through a thin blanket of snow, earth spun.
Cascades of dainty Narcissus smile with golden faces
Drinking up the sun as morning warmth embraces.
Enjoy the heavenly...

Read More

Shadow Muse
              by Odin Roark

What’s a scrappy old ghost to do
Whose graveyard fantasy
Has long passed?

I wander streets and alleys now
Still a companion...

Read More

Enchanted was I with a cloying scent...
whiffs of wild magnolia
mingled with the woodsy tang
of lemon verbena perfuming the air
Like Samson's strength, the sun's threads of gold
were clipped by silver shears 
of an ascending pearlescent moon
...

Read More

Wealth of Spring

Assorted spring flowers, naked, rise in morning sun
Breaking through a thin blanket of snow, earth spun.
Cascades of dainty narcissus smile with golden faces
Drinking up the sun as morning warmth embraces.
Enjoy the heavenly floral...

Read More

Driving in Atlanta past pear trees, struck
with spring lightning, I rolled down my window 
as if breathing deeply might anchor their passing, 
perfect beauty. Paula, with whom we share
in her meditation class, (she, of the...

Read More

When sun's last ray falls
A golden leaf on the tongue of the sea
Go not far from hearth and walls
Go not into the dusk O prodigy
And if you dare yield to lure
Of day shut up in...

Read More

In my summer meadow

Lavender colored milkweeds, growing between dark  purple butterfly peas, are 
perfuming the warm air. 
The color combination is especially pleasing to me; I love purple.
Perfectly round globes of milkweed are a...

Read More

Splendid mango flowers perfuming fine,
Present the best hues with Koel’s tune.
Riding their flight over the dry grey cloud,
In forest, spring finds shelter greenish gold.
Near the river, emerald hill paints better best,
Gets an amazing glimpse when...

Read More