I sing upon a star coyote near my side earth trembles with aches and growing pains a birth long overdue Genie Nakano originally published in "Coloring In", 2016
Long Overdue
Burrowing Deep…A Hybrid Survives
A Tanka Response beginning with Genie Nakano from Los Angeles, CA, United States and Gerry Jacobson from Canberra, Australia–Australia’s Capital.
Gerry’s tanka are italicized.
Governor declares our city is in drought barefooted in the falling rain happy I don't believe oh there's carbon in the air and the levee is dry for the climate is a changin' oh, sky don't cry trees that look up to you are dying from your tears that drop the acid rain ribbon gum next door attacked by chainsaws- I leave the house and dull the pain with tea and cake and poetry prose keeps the insane, sane after I'm underground I'll have no use for words earth churns winter into spring out of tombs and sepulchers the wildwood grows fertilized forgotten griefs seeds blown to foreign lands burrowing deep into black lava sands a hybrid survives Australian airman 'neath English turf since 1941 "greater love hath no man" pulling me down the cries of living ghosts mankind with war and bombs sets the earth on fire scarred by broken glass my playground rubble and ruin the bomb sites of London ashes, ashes on fallen snow the mulberry tree blooms again nature changes -- never dies crunching frost in the glow of dawn and the full moon hanging out up there with Jupiter and Venus Genie Nakano, and Gerry Jacobson--a collaboration. First published 2016 by GINNINDERRA PRESS PO Box 3461 Port Adelaide SA Australia www:gininderrapress.com.au Gerry Jacobson In a past life, he worked as a geologist. Now he travels to visit grandchildren in Sydney and Stockholm writing tanka in the cafe's of those cities. Gerry also composes 'tankaprose, which has been published in journals including Haibun Today and Atlas Poetica. His recent chapbook, Dancing with Another Me, celebrates his resurrection as a 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 of Theravada rebirth but the pain was too much and it was too late awakened in another body a new rebirth she recalled another life cried and gasped turned upside down smacked on her bottom it was cold when before it was warm in the room of the womb not ready for a new journey of life her bottom red and bruised as she lay gasping for air this is the path no heaven above or hell below I am not a god, Buddha said I am merely awake what thoughts run in darkened chambers scratched against the prison of my dismal mind it's time for a comedy--switch channels blast the mystic screen follow that mocking bird he mocks me with his bird brain flies away into the setting sun another day -- tomorrow take a bath and wash the grey away the golden sun is sinking fast soon it will be night be glad I can feel the pain and sorrow to be -- or not to be there is no question the moon will rise my heart is beating rattling against my bones scratching the cage surrounding my heart all supporting working in synchrony my body is old yet strong looking out for red hummingbirds Genie Nakano, August 30, 2020
“Set me free”
Merging into my present past memories regretful actions only I can remember thoughts of oblivion cloud my heavy head the rain keeps pouring pouring pouring down the witch is drowning and can't escape she promises for change and grow so many lives have passed dust is forming pyramids mummies stalk unpaved streets u turns dead ends barricades where is the god of happiness enlightenment for all the world I'm trying, Lord I'm trying I'm going over the edge nothing to catch me when I fall a promise is needed - even soft hopes tell me there's a heaven and no hell loving kindness meditations, mystic chants say them give me a break forgive and let go heal the scars fix the broken pieces press enter -- no return this life is more than enough set me free Genie Nakano, August 30, 2020
Loving Kindness Meditation
Photograph by Genie Nakano: ” My Gohansa” My Meditation Altar
To my meditation friends. This is the Loving Kindness chant we say before and after meditation. Metta keeps us happy, peaceful, free from suffering, harm, safe, loving and kind.
May I be well
Happy peaceful and
Free from suffering
May no harm come to me
May I be safe.
May I be loving and kind.
Loving Kindness Meditation Metta
Thrive
Somewhere in the land of enchantment heroines live, thrive... Kamala Harris Genie Nakano, August 21, 2020
Prayer
I was
much younger then
little confidence
yet, lots of determination
no choice but to fly
Genie Nakano, 8/20
Caravan
caravan ride
across the Thar desert sands
I pretend
we are gypsies
partners in passion
Om Mani Padme Hum ~~Celebrate not Celibate
Once upon a time I considered living in a monastery. Temple life seemed so much more peaceful than worldly living. However, Theravada Buddhism monks must be celibate. I wondered why but never talked about it with the monks.
So this is my fantasy poem for all my monk friends who live a life of celibacy.
Om Mani Padme hum~~Celebrate no Celibate
Standing on the steps
of an ancient Cambodian temple
a daydream starts to reel
a thousand years tickle my toes
as footsteps vibrate under my feet
The daydream
takes me deep inside
to hear
Om mani padme hum
the ancient Pali language
Sandalwood incense mixes
with the fragrant Rumdul flowers
rising to the heavens
I am dizzy with this scent
the gods in this temple love women
I am blessed to be here
bringing rice cakes dipped in honey,
mangoes and ambrosia wine
the day turns into night
dreams continues on…
A rainbow moon
rises in an indigo sky
Om mani padmi hum
three thousand years ago
monks knew secrets of erotica
Everyone
is blissful in this temple,
the night goes on
the love goes on
Om mani padmi hum
To all my dear
Theravada Venerable friends
this is just a daydream
Oh, why can’t this be real
I am stuck in the land of Covid dreaming up a dream…
Genie Nakano
River dreams…
Flowing
down a river of dreams
cool soothing mists
my berry lips
darkened by the sun
welcome the unknown
Genie Nakano, August 15, 2020
Genie Nakano 