Japanese Forms

May 6, 2015

“Three Translations” by David BowlesPosted by

David Bowles

THREE TRANSLATIONS

Haiku by Karai Senryū (1718–1790)

Deception

Wine was the best way
even in the Age of Gods
to work deception.

 

 

 

Destination

Looking at paintings,
hell seems the more interesting
destination, yes.

 

 

 

Tattoo

The mother’s name inked
into the old father’s arm—
shriveled and faded.

—from Rattle #47, Spring 2015
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__________

David Bowles: “I’ve been fascinated by haiku, senryū, and tanka since I was a teen; their compressed power and beauty drew me to the Japanese language, which I’ve studied for years, trying to craft equally artful English translations. The constrained elegance of the forms has influenced much of the original poetry in my most recent book, as well.” (website)

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May 5, 2015

“Presbyopia” by Roberta BearyPosted by

Roberta Beary

PRESBYOPIA

Haibun

On my left something moves. I cannot see what it is from the side mirror. I know it’s big. And alive. I try to remember the rule I learned as a student driver. Should I slow down? Swerve to the right? Slam down hard on the brake? Speed up? No matter how hard I try I can’t think. I slow the car with my foot on the brake. A deer leaps over my windshield. As it disappears into the woods, a car horn blares. I check my mirror and see a long blur of cars behind me. I open my window and give them the finger.

autumn leaves—
at last the light
turns green

—from Rattle #47, Spring 2015
Tribute to Japanese Forms

__________

Roberta Beary: “Exiled to Tokyo in the 1990s, I morphed into ‘wife of’ in Japan. I tried to fit in and not lose myself in the process. But it wasn’t working. I was slowly disappearing. Then I found haiku. And lost my husband. But that’s another story.” (website)

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May 4, 2015

“Genetics” by Roberta BearyPosted by

Roberta Beary

GENETICS

Haibun

Your eyes are big and round like your father’s

but while his are the color of the Irish Sea

yours are the color of the muddy fields

on my father’s land

fit only for the peasants who worked them.

abortion day
a shadow flutters
the fish tank

—from Rattle #47, Spring 2015
Tribute to Japanese Forms

[download audio]

__________

Roberta Beary: “Exiled to Tokyo in the 1990s, I morphed into ‘wife of’ in Japan. I tried to fit in and not lose myself in the process. But it wasn’t working. I was slowly disappearing. Then I found haiku. And lost my husband. But that’s another story.” (website)

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