i’m impasto imposta’

16 Apr 2026 15 Comments

by lynn__ in zuihitsu Tags: , , , , , ,

Zuihitsu: Japanese form that blurs poetry, essay, and Chinese characters meaning “follow the impulse of the brush.” An artform some consider to be poetic potpourri incorporating nonfiction, musings, confessions and lyrics to create a spontaneous, layered text.

when i hear “zuihitsu”, hairy little dog runs into room
yip-yipping
sneak out for disorderly conduct… in neighborhood
(bitch in heat)

Winner of the 2023 Ruth Lilly poetry prize and other awards, Kimiko Hahn has been writing and teaching this form for years. In her poetry collection The Narrow Road to the Interior, she writes “the sense of disorder” is “integral” to the form of zuihitsu. Did you sneeze? God bless you!

van gogh believed in God but that didn’t solve
insanity
layered pain(t) thickly with brush… or palette knife
(sharp enough to cut an ear)

Merril D. Smith introduces diverse poets to zuihitsu at the virtual pub. She encourages exploration and experimentation with unique (uni)form. This is my experimental attempt to catch the dog, layer ideas, and weave wild words. An imposing form can make one feel like imposter.

textured tapestry hangs in stairwell
neutrals
woven in layers of loopy clouds…outlined mountain
(luxurious [lunatic] fringe)

iris in vincent’s eye

19 Feb 2020 14 Comments

by lynn__ in ekphrastic Tags: , , , , ,

i begin as
dry ivory bulb
asleep in deep dark
until warmth stirs from
far away as sunshine
whispers, “come to me”

i stretch
uncurling in
moist brick soil
insects tickling my
pale skin as it peels off
with sigh, “love, arise!”

i reach up
to throw off the
heaviness of garden
bed’s blanket and am
blinded by yellow light
crying, “it’s spring!”

i grow long
sabered leaves
of vibrant green to
drink in cool rain and
shelter tender buds with
promise, “we’ll dance!

i bloom in
profuse blue hues
from cerulean to indigo
unfurling petaled banners
to reveal frilly stamens and
sing, “behold life’s beauty!”

i fade as
sun sets in gold;
plucked from roots
glory slowly wanes as
flowered energy wilts with
a moan, “remember me.”

Screen Shot 2020-02-19 at 1.39.51 PM

irises by van gogh

open up and be healed

03 Nov 2015 22 Comments

by lynn__ in haibun Tags: ,

Linking to dVerse where Bjorn is serving fresh haibuns…

view-of-the-church-of-saint-paul-de-mausole-1889

View of the Church of St. Paul de Mausole by Van Gogh


The artist’s brush expresses what ears may not hear and tongue cannot say…

“After he took him aside away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up into heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, ‘Ephphatha!’ (which means, ‘Be opened!’). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue loosened and he began to speak plainly.” (Mark 7:33-35)

Is the one who inspired the colors of Vincent’s art the same spirit who illuminated Mark to write good news? Perhaps today, Christ’s spirit sighs for us “to listen” to his loving whispers…or he may be prompting us “to speak” his message of peace.  Hearts and minds, like church windows of the soul, need to be opened to let in the fresh breeze of the Holy Spirit. If only Vincent had found healing in this life.

hear sigh in colors

spirit wind strokes the grasses

surrounding muted church

 

oh, van gogh!

10 Feb 2015 6 Comments

by lynn__ in haiku Tags: , , , ,

Starry Night by Van Gogh

Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

lonely dutch artist

paints his view from asylum

seeking blue-hued peace

_____

thoughts like colors swirl

calm by beauty of bright moon

dark tree gives balance

_____

roiling emotions

mind’s sky illuminated

brush-stroked starry night

Missed linking to prompt on CDHK but inspired to write this set…my 300th post!