Poet, Performer, Dancer, Storyteller, Yogini
Watashi no Otto has been listening to me spout off poetry for years and now it’s his turn. His first attempt got him a spot in Haiku Dialogue, edited by Carole McMuRay. It is a haiku prompted by an image or an ‘ekphrastic’ haiku. In this case it was a photograph of a horse’s eye close-up.
Here is the Haiku :
the view
is clear now
contact lens
Hideki Obayashi
'Otto' means husband in Nihongo-- Japanese.
10,000 is the deepest point in our earth.
You are mountain
I am mountain too
deeply
rooted into
10,00 miles of earth
Genie Nakano
Honorable mention in the Mt. Fuji tanka contest sponsored by International Tanka Society, Tokyo, Japan
….if a monk practices love meditation even if only for the length of time it takes to snap one’s fingers, he will not fail in meditative concentration. There is no greater virtue than practicing love meditation everyday. From the book, ‘Teachings on Love’ Thich Nhat Hanh
So, I’ve been snapping my fingers all day today and whispering the love and kindness mantra.
from, Genie Nakano
riding bareback across the wetlands tangled hair Genie Nakano, Feb. 3, 2021 Published 2.3.21 ' Haiku Dialogue', guest editor Carole MacRury
On my hands and knees
I blow a baby spider
out the door.
Genie Nakano
Feb. 3, 2021
Senryu a 3 line unrhymed Japanese poem similar to haiku but dealing with human nature satirical or ironic in vein.
Kyoka playful tanka:
that’s him
the tall big nosed one,
my brother
half Swiss-German
we share a Japanese father
Bro Frank Nakano, Julian Nakano, Me and Thomas Nakano–Zurich Switzerland, 2019, Summertime. His nose is not so big. Frank is actually handsome.
Genie Nakano, January 31, 2021
Thich Nhat Hanh
One compassionate word, action or thought can reduce another person’s suffering and bring him joy. One word can give comfort and confidence, destroy doubt, help someone avoid a mistake, reconcile a conflict, or open the door to liberation.
With compassion in our heart, every thought, word, and deed can bring about a miracle.
Thich Nhat Hanh from the book Teachings on Love.
Greenpoets from Beyond Baroque revision
Loretta*
died this morning, 12:30 AM
the ninth of my friends
who died this year
the Covid snake is gaining ground
I look back and see fangs dripping with fresh blood.
Stay away from me you evil monster–yet it keeps sliding rippling faster on the ground.
I want to live and so did they.
“Aren’t you satisfied. Haven’t you had enough to eat!!!
He raised his head began to speak.,.,.,.,
I have children. They grow faster everyday. I cannot rest till all are fed.”
I must not look back. Too much time is wasted. He will get me if I falter.
I must develop wings and fly.
Genie Nakano
January 15, 2021
*an anonymous name. in order to protect.
After attending the Green Poets workshop of Beyond Baroque in Venice in our zoom class. I revised this poem according to suggestions…here it is in revision…
Adding more Senryu for Sunday
interviewing
myself, I ask
many questions
conversation
above the clouds
nebulous
moonlight
under a sunroof
our first date
Genie Nakano
I am trying something new–senryu. I have experimented with haiku, haibun and renku. Now having fun with senryu.*
*Senryu: a 3-line unrhymed Japanese poem similar to haiku but treating human nature usually in an ironic or satirical vein. Merriam Dictionary
These 3 senryu were published this month in Failed Haiku edited by Michael Rehling online. Here are 3 failed haiku senryu. (what a name?!?)
Sensei says
haiku is always about love
I hate him
last nite
a man in the moon
winked
stiletto heels
high school graduation
self-defence
Genie Jeanne Nakano, 1 .10.21
scent of lotus
as darkness takes us deeper
I see the light
within your eyes
ripples on the pond
Genie Nakano
Genie Nakano