Alchemy is Real~~ a Renku–*

Photo: Jerry Wang

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

Ravages of Aging…

Photo by James Wheeler on Pexels.com


(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 permanen
t

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.

Photo by Genie Nakano, Cambodia, Angor Watt

Together…Tanka

Photo by u6da6u79cb u6c6a on Pexels.com

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!

	

Again…

Photo by Marlon Schmeiski on Pexels.com

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

Photo by Anni Roenkae on Pexels.com

Tombo, tombo

Photo by Petr Ganaj on Pexels.com

Tombo, tombo
alights on a river rock
iridescent
as the wandering wizard
takes a break

Genie Nakano





“Tombo” means Dragonfly in Japanese.

Little star~ ~haiku

the little star
that keeps on blinking
I got your message

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

the little star
that keeps on blinking
I got your message
Genie Nakano


originally published in HSA Anthology
, 2016

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 up many hours of the night trying to comfort him. It’s so sad to see my little guy in pain. I hope he heals but he is an elder — I think 17 years a rescue so I really don’t know how old.

Photography: Raphael Raphael, 2020