春の歌
bright trillium there
amidst the fierce storm’s wreckage
on the forest floor
delicate against all odds
gift of renewal and hope
ceaseless wind and rain
March is a long dark tunnel
heartless monochrome
then one day we wake to see
a world awash in blossoms
waiting each new day
first leaf on the linden tree
late to bud this spring
fills my heart with so much hope
like the tree of yesteryear
morning mist rising
anxious birds flit to and fro
sakura in bloom
in spring it is the evenings
when the wind blows gently through
good morning white birch
with bark, moss and strong branches
standing still and true
long past the storms of winter
when my heart was dark and drear
marching up the path
here they come the ants of spring
through the open door
I’m setting out wild berries
to celebrate the season
not the first to bloom
noiseless patient lilac bud
you will have your day
branches yet with tales untold
scent and color touch the sky
moving through hazy clouds
full moon in the dark spring sky
fills me with wonder
memories of the distant past
as though they just had happened
what is this feeling
warm soft glow in midnight sky
sakura in bloom?
a thin veil of fallen snow
covers the cypress-bark roofs
冬の歌
awake at 2 am
a winter storm is raging
nothing warm inside
the cats are curled together
embers in the hearth burn low
how many days now?
no hot water or cooked food
storm avenges still
frozen ice on bamboo leaves
scratches across the lattice
faint glimmer of hope
small jewel on a frozen branch
fearless hummingbird
the wind howls, freezes your wings
lone and trusting sentinel
bitter cold outside
the sound of steady sweeping
kindly neighbor there
may I offer you cold tea
and slightly old okashi?
rising before dawn
searching for the last candle
dark and endless cold
downstairs a light is shining
my eyes fill with grateful tears
l e a m i l l a y 