(Michael H. Lester and GenieNakano, a tanka response) Micheal is in black print~~ Genie is in Purple and italic) a tongue in cheek but true Tanka Series the old skina patchwork of spotsand strange bumpsdry as the desertwind-worn sands of time bags baggageand budding wrinklesyet I feelthirty five insidemirrors tell cruel lies rememberwhen we wereContinue reading “Ravages of Aging…”
Category Archives: aging
Insomnia
I wrote this poem long time ago–1999. My Dad, friends and myself made a small beautiful handmade book called “Pieces of Moon” which I sold at the Amerasia bookstore in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles California. “Pieces of Moon” sold out! For the past few weeks–insomnia has returned. My dog Toto injured himself and I’m upContinue reading “Insomnia”
A death poem…
let mebe a raindropfallingdeep into the earthwildflowers in the springGenie Nakano, 2019 This ‘death’ tanka was first published in a special feature — 25 death poems edited by Michael H. Lester for Atlas Poetica, 2019. “The genre of death poems has its origin in Zen Buddhism in Japan and offers a reflection on and natureContinue reading “A death poem…”
Murasaki
a wise woman in Norwich, England once said “When we are old and careless” inside my bones clattered for a moment I was free. cold bones luke warm blood wrists of a sparrow no wings. my left hip clicks in a silver joint unstable yet balanced titanium tensile strength decrees to out last me. somethingContinue reading “Murasaki”
A Retired Dancer
A ballet dancer looks at herself in the mirror everyday as a matter of fact a check on reality a retired ballet dancer–facts change is that really me in the mirror the front or the back bring out the bike the scales take a walk retard–the old bastard of time some say lucky to beContinue reading “A Retired Dancer”
Rebirthing
I try to keep up and optimistic but these are very trying times and I’ve had some dismal thoughts. Writing always keeps me from falling off the edge. So here goes another one…. It’s too much on to another life, she said as she pointed the gun to her head she forgot the rule ofContinue reading “Rebirthing”
Growth
golden bamboo waving in a summer breeze grows a foot a month a teenage boy in love Genie Nakano, July 15, 2020
Kaze
photography by Raphael Raphael, 2020 wind blowing through my hair there is so little time let’s leap above the gust and dance with the wind Genie Nakano, originally published in My book–Storyteller
Don’t call me Bachan
Uncle George ,Sugie, 2-8-1892 , 1965 ,Sugie & Yaemon,3-8-1880,Uncle Jay, 1918-1960 my grandmother died at 73 the age that I am now her thin grey hair was tied back in a bun was she ever young? coming from a foreign land her songs were of an old Japan coming to America a picture bride “freshContinue reading “Don’t call me Bachan”
gems
rocks in a tumbler i have settled with time polishing the gems Genie Nakano (originally published in Ribbons and Spillwords)
Genie Nakano 