
Yoga Mat
my portable
sacred spot
GEnie Nakano
Poet, Performer, Dancer, Storyteller, Yogini

Yoga Mat
my portable
sacred spot
GEnie Nakano

“Renku or rengu is a traditional Japanese poetry form of linked verse composed of the collaboration of 2 or more poets. Each participant displays his wit by spontaneously composing a verse in response to the verse that came before”.
Wikipedia
This renku was organized and moderated by Professor of English at Xavier University of Louisiana, David Lanoue. David was the the President of the Haiku Society of America 2013 – 2015. He is a writer of Haiku and Haiku novels. He maintains the Haiku Kobayashi Issa website where he has translated 10,000 of Issa’s haiku.
October 3, 2020
Ginkgo leaves
fluttering gold
alchemy is real Genie
the dog barks at the moon
in another time
zone Nicholas
Autumn frost at dawn
climbing slowly
the window pain Veni
a bumpy airplane ride
back south Juliet
Black votes
don’t matter
says the governor David
I will set you free
in a galaxy of stars Genie
the newlyweds cruise
hollywood Blvd.
for a hooker Nicholas
a dream in all colors
the lightness of being Veni
she falls on the ice
spilling a latte
and donuts Jennifer
damn narrow chimney!
Santa Claustrophobia David
brightening the vampire’s day
was a bad idea Nicholas
keeping the picture of you
in my PC to not get them wet Vini
lonely virgins linger
around the community
pool Jennifer
boys dance
in a marijuana cloud
under a summer moon David
pointing the gun to my head
I change my mind Genie
holy Jizo
comforts the child
in palm tree shade Nicholas
the village
mountain greener
in sunrays of March Veni
my mother picks lilacs
and tells us
be patient Jennifer
a million years is nothing
frog pond frog David

(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 skin
a patchwork of spots
and strange bumps
dry as the desert
wind-worn sands of time
bags baggage
and budding wrinkles
yet I feel
thirty five inside
mirrors tell cruel lies
remember
when we were thirteen
the blood flowed
to our tender parts
that now sag and droop
my doctor orders
“use it or lose it”
I asked my
my lover for help
gone those quickie days
I recall
the verve of my youth
as I trudge
up the seven steps
to the old folks home
at the airport
my hip replacement
triggers off alarms
so much attention
for all the wrong reasons
those days
when I got second looks
now long gone
even the mirror
seems indifferent
far away
I pass for mam’selle
keep me
under soft candle light
or turn off the lights
my grandson
challenges me to a race
around the block
my counter proposal
a game of bocce ball
long ago
I ran barefoot
over river rocks
today I ponder
taking off my shoes
on my arm
a new liver spot
I shed tears
peeling onions
the layers of my life
back then
wanted to be ballet thin
in ten years
will I want to be
what I am now
as I age
the uncertainty
of my youth
yields to the sureness
of maturity
I accept
to sit in mystery
not always
have the answers
nothing is permanent
in old age
I start to drop things
the plus side
better reflexes
catch me if you can
my wit is quick
lived long enough to know
let it flow
laughter is the key
the way to set me free
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Micheal H. Lester and Genie Nakano
Originally published in Rafu Shimpoo and Atlas Poetica a tanka Journal.


Angel man
keep growing
those wings
together we’ll
fly out of here.
Genie Nakano, on “Spillwords”, today, Sept.29,2020
November 3, 2020, USA votes-- that's when we fly!
All my gods
are falling down
dust
is blowing everywhere
the stars are burning gas.
genie nakano, sept. 28, 2020, morning


music in the room
gets us rocking on our feet
we turn around
Lose our heads
fall in love again
Genie Nakano
Genie Nakano originally published in “Coloring In”, tanka response/Gerry Jacobson/Coordinated by Amelia Fielden 2016 GINNINDERRA PRESS


Tombo, tombo
alights on a river rock
iridescent
as the wandering wizard
takes a break
Genie Nakano
“Tombo” means Dragonfly in Japanese.
If you are
Right handed
use your Left
an imperative
lesson in Mindfulness.
Genie Nakano, Sept. 26, 2020
Photos: Genie Nakano, "Memories of Sri. Lanka"



the little star
that keeps on blinking
I got your message

the little star
that keeps on blinking
I got your message
Genie Nakano
originally published in HSA Anthology, 2016

Mist
from the mountains
makes
the flowers tremble
gentle awakening.
Genie Nakano, Sept. 21, 2020