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 be alive at our age
and furthermore--
never want to be
twenty again
I sit here
chin rests upon my hand
in thinker pose
wondering--a fair trade
wisdom for youth??
Genie Nakano
originally published in Atlas Poetica, editor M. Kei: number 13 Autumn 2012
I sing upon a star
coyote by my side
earth trembles
with aches and growing pains
a birth overdue
Genie Nakano
originally published in "Coloring In", 2016
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
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.
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
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
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.
Genie Nakano 