senryu | a poem in my pocket

green with envy

14 Apr 2018 12 Comments

by lynn__ in senryu Tags: bench, green, migrate, spring, warmth

Joining Frank J. Tassone‘s haiku challenge: ataka (warmth)

some(where?) spring has sprung

if only could, i’d migrate

soak in ataka

bench-garden-grass-evening

triduum

29 Mar 2018 11 Comments

by lynn__ in haiku series, senryu Tags: blood, body, cross, Jesus, passover, sacrifice

Linking to Frank Tassone’s haiku challenge…

maundy thursday meal

passover lamb serves supper

taste body and blood

good friday trial

soldiers nail God to wood beams

love’s great sacrifice

silent saturday

women weep while Jesus sleeps

he will rise again!

1510 fragment – Matthias Grunewald, Netherlands

INRI stems from the Latin phrase ‘Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum‘ meaning ‘Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews’. This was the notice Pontius Pilate nailed to the cross.

palms for alms

25 Mar 2018 2 Comments

by lynn__ in haibun, senryu, troiku, worship Tags: beggar, hosanna, Jerusalem, Jesus, King, palms

I am that beggar on the ancient road of cobbled stones in Jerusalem, begging alms in the city of the king, near David’s tomb. The Passover crowds pass by me on their way through the golden gate to the Temple mount, singing songs of ascent. I limp out of the chaotic throng, pressing my back against the stone wall and clutching my empty cup. What is that I hear? Shouts of “Hosanna, save us”! Now I see ecstatic children waving palm branches before a rabbi astride a young horse; no, he rides a humble donkey. As they pass, Jesus looks into my eyes; a gaze that overwhelms me with compassion. I pick up a palm frond as the shofar sounds the call to worship: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”

crowds shout hosannas

rejoice in the coming king

my cup overflows

royalty free stock photo

begging bowl

18 Mar 2018 Leave a comment

by lynn__ in haiku, senryu Tags: begging, bowl, empty, fill, satisfy

water cleanses dregs

empty own bowl to be filled

who can satisfy?

photo by lynn_

A “begging bowl” is used by Buddhist monks to ask for alms…see Carpe Diem Haiku Kai. Perhaps each of us is a spiritually thirsty/hungry begging bowl?

prima ballerina

14 Mar 2018 Leave a comment

by lynn__ in senryu Tags: balance, ballerina, dancer, grace, strength

audience breathes sigh

ballet dancer’s en pointe strength 53920-299x401-Primaballerina

such balance and grace

princeville, kauai

26 Jan 2018 3 Comments

by lynn__ in senryu, tanka Tags: Hawaii, heir, King, Princeville, sea

poseidon fountain

hawaiian north shore resort

home of salt sea king

namesake of young prince albert

heir to throne, dead at age four

elemental valor

22 Jan 2018 1 Comment

by lynn__ in senryu, Uncategorized Tags: army, blizzard, forge, war, wind

Linking to Haiku Horizons prompt: forge

as blizzard winds roar

think washington’s army in

valley forge winter

March to Valley Forge by Wm.Trego, 1883. mountvernon.org

this is not a drill

18 Jan 2018 39 Comments

by lynn__ in senryu, tanka Tags: alert, ballistic, emergency, missile, threat

Writers often cause a chain reaction. This is a “response poem” linked to Jill’s prompt at dVerse Poetics. I’m writing a response to this senyru by Elsie at Ramblings of a Writer:

press the wrong button

at peace reading a manga

touch can tell a tale

who wrote in response to a prompt at Ronovan Writes, using words “press” and “touch”. Check out the links to follow the trail. My poem in tanka form based on real experience while visiting Hawaii last week…thankfully a false alarm!

press alert message

incoming missile threatens

touch panic button

count down minutes before end

value life with clarity

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. -Isaiah 54:10