Tag Archives: exotic

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Writing Japan

toriiofshannoshrine

(internet photo: Torii of Shanno Shrine in Nagasaki after atomic bomb was dropped on August 9, 1945. It was the only thing that withstood the explosion in the area)
A friend challenged me to write a poem about Japan; this is what I came up with.

Japan is a tsunami,
a world of samurai and sumo
ikebana and kamikaze.
The land of the rising sun
graces us with cherry blossoms
and temples that flow
from a calligraphy brush.

Earthquakes reverberate
half a world away,
carry strength
to the west,
remnants of people’s live
swept out to sea.

A crewless “ghost ship”
sails to Haida Gwaii.
While we sip exotic tea
and inspect wreckage,
Hiroshima and Nagasaki
disturb us with grace,
slowly dissolving.

Japan is a sculptured garden,
glass and sleek steel
arranged with precision
next to paper walled teahouses,
Mount Fuji an elegant backdrop
to bullet trains that shuttle
honorable tradition
into a unpruned future.

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Captivating Specimen

Glossy illustrations float
colorful characters and exotic places
before a little boys sparkling blue eyes.
His smile stretches to surround his mom and dad
with youthful delight as he carefully
turns the pages of his new book.

She blows a cloud of dust
off the leather jacket of a book she pulls
from a small wooden table. Vibrant
ink drawings take her breath away.
“Is this for sale?” she asks
the garage sale proprietor.

A stiff black inspector’s boot
stumbles on a buried article in cooling ashes.
His gloved hand retrieves a charred book.
The embossed cover and bright images still visible
bring a grim smile to the fireman’s face.
With a sad heart he tosses the book in the garbage.

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Landscaping

At first glance
I see unfinished business
I want to change it
meet my idea of esthetics and beauty

A barren surface
appears raw, exposed
craggy granite is dusty and open
it makes me uncomfortable
I want to cover it up with
colorful flowers
pretty petals
make it look lovely
attractive
hide the earthy escarpment

Slowly I take time
to really look
really see what is before me

I notice the cacti are not as prickly as they seem
I see unique beauty
they belong in the scene
they must not be ripped out

Moss
lover of shadows
of shade
shies away from bright light
it belongs
With tenderness and care
its place in the rock garden
can be assured too

Bits of color
are dots throughout the stone
some peek out from the margins of the rocks
some create a subtle seam along a ridge
a kiss of gentleness amongst the hard surfaces
a promise of delight

One great rock
is surrounded by many smaller ones
a flow of gravel defines the space
supports the giant in the middle
that punctuates the surface with its presence

I am humbled by the gentle beauty
I had thought to be unfinished business
no flamboyant colors
or exotic flowers
an understated blending of non-descript items
that together
as a whole are quite striking
splendid
just as it is

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Hypnotic State

Patchwork quilt

(image credit: bjman.deviantart.com)

I find myself in an unknown land
sleep walking
body in a trance
talons of comprehension
have loosened their grasp
taken flight

People smile quarter moon smiles
kindness evident in soft brown eyes
best human qualities on display
but no matter how hard I try
the exotic lilting language
remains foreign to me
estranged

I am learning this milieu
through faculties long dormant
acquiring trust in my senses

Sight allows a glimpse of this new world
garbled symbols join movement, color, style, rhythm
a patchwork concept that taunts
hanging just beyond perception

I smell loneliness, hunger, happiness, JOY

The environment tastes purple
unusual
tantalizing
inviting
Although not mute
my tongue feels twisted
articulation a lost art
formation of sound demands effort
conscious awareness

My ears delight in the musical litany I hear
long for when my own body does not betray
with crass sounds
indelicate and rude
but can join the melodic refrain
lovely angelic chorus
of those that surround me

 

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Sidewalk Hustle

sarasvati

(picture credit: sitarsencat.com)

Alive street
brimming with people
Ants on anthill
Flurry of activity
sunshine and warm temperatures
lure people out of their homes

Half naked children
cavort in fountain
water arcs jumping hole to hole
slip effortlessly through grasping hands
to squeals of delight

Androgynous orator
long purple hair
tie dyed skirt
slender body
spews rapid fire rap verses
with deep male voice
crossed legged listeners
seated on soft green grass
rapt

Jugglers toss balls
dangle
dangerous looking knives
contortionists
squeeze
through string less tennis racquet
vie for attention of passersby
vie for opportunity to separate
observer and contents of their wallet

Festive atmosphere
brisk business
ice cream and gelato sales flourish
chocolate and vanilla stained faces of children
witness treats eaten

Above hustle and bustle
floats
ethereal sitar music
haunting melodies
images of orient
exotic far away regions

As the notes rise and fall
calmness is felt
in the heart
of the street side activity