
toy kite
not enough wind until
we laugh

Poet, Performer, Dancer, Storyteller, Yogini
genie Nakano
Before Japan
could read or write,
tanka was called waka
performed as short songs in five lines
short long short long long
Heian imperial court
was well versed in waka
after a love affair
erotic exchanges of waka
was expected proper etiquette
Women
were the best of tanka’s golden era
yearning, soaring
tales of love, nature, war
passion prevailed
750 AD the emperor decreed
waka to be recorded for history
4,000 love poems
brushed into exquisite scrolls
Manyoshu completed in 900
five lines, waka
burning, tales of love
nature, war, erotica
themes of long ago Japan
treasured in Manyoshu
waka flourished
for hundred of years
then suddenly jaded
grew out of touch
unconnected to society
pre-world war 1
the poetry bureau censored
and controlled tanka
Asaka-Sha, brotherhood
led by Tekkan Yosan, renamed it tanka
reborn
into a powerful form
tanka became
a relevant force
themes encompassing life
a shining star
Tekkan’s student and to be wife
Akiko Yosano, 1878-1942
sensuous, bold, controversial
her tanka rocked
softly I push open
that door
we call a mystery
these full breasts
held both in my hands (Akiko Yosano)
twists and turns
and through the labyrinth
radical tanka was born
freeverse, avant garde, modern
published in journals, books, newspapers
Meiji Emperor
the saint of tanka poet
wrote, collected 10,00 tanka
promoted and celebrated
tanka with the world
coming to America
tanka was written and published
In Japanese American
journals and newspapers
currently, I write tanka for Rafu Shimpo
tanka flourished
in WW2 American concentration camps
Isseis and Niseis
wrote tanka to record and heal
their anguish love and despair
in 1957, Lucille Nixon
introduced tanka to white America
honored in Japan
at the Palace Poetry Party
for her tanka poem
today
tanka is international
from Japan
to the USA, Australia Bhutan India
tanka flourishes around the world
Genie nakano,
Performed at Torrance Library, 2020
once
I watched an ant
crawling
the mountains bottom
it started to run
half its legs on the ground
in an alternating tripod gait
with quantum steps
my eyes followed
mind took me to the summit
there I wanted to be
but wind
blew me away
down the other side
breathing in breathing out
I follow my breath
on a lavender path
where I can see
below above and around
breathing in breathing out
ants are tickling my feet
carrying morsels
flowers and thyme
I can hear their feet
as I hear them say
"we bring food to the colony
an afterthought party will follow"
am I invited
"yes, if you help out"
so, I follow them
back to the bottom
the sugar is in my pocket
I've humbled down
knowing the other side
breathing in breathing out
breathing in breathing out
Genie Nakano
This is a one act scene written for a Zoom acting class I am taking on line. This is new for me. However, since I'm at home quarantined -- why not try something different. The characters are an elderly couple quarantined during the pandemic. I am revising as I go along and this is my 1st revision. I added more dialog. If anyone read the first attempt, please tell me what you think. Please feel free to give suggestions. Revised—Ride. May 4th, 2020) Ride---by: Genie Nakano, (520 words, April 29, 2020) Husband: I’m going to take Toru for a ride in the “41, Chevy. I’ll be back in an hour. Wife: What you’re going to sit in a car with him? Husband: He likes vintage cars and I wanted to show him the ‘41. Wife: But you don’t know him very well. Husband: What, he’s a nice guy and he’s married to Mariko the secretary at the temple. He’s neat, tidy and safe. Wife: But he’s young. He may be a carrier. Husband: He’s 47!! Wife: That’s young for us--our daughters age. You’re crazy! Putting yourself at risk. You only have one lung. Husband: You always exaggerate. I hate that about you. You should have been an actress. I have two lungs and one is compensated by the car accident. And what about you-- you talk to Rosie every day. Wife: Yes, but we’re outside and walking at least 10 feet away from each other. We're not in a fucking car breathing in the same cramped-up air. Derek, our doctor son, told you if you get on a ventilator you are dead. I’m going to call Derek. Husband: No, no you don’t. He’s on the front lines right now, no sleep, exhausted--he doesn’t need any more stress. Wife: Can’t you just follow the rules for once. Why be so reckless and selfish. Husband: You’re the one who’s being selfish. Do you have to tell the whole Japanese community our business? Wife: Everyone is trying to help you out. My brother is working overtime just to keep us safe. And for what? He doesn’t even get to sleep with his wife because he wants to protect her because HE cares about her. Husband: Oh no, here we go again. I care about you—I care about you! Christ what do you think I’m stupid. I always wear a mask, wash my hands and… Wife: You might as well go back to work!! You just think this is a vacation. WE ARE QUARANTINED!! Husband: I don’t want to hear this! I’m getting out of here. Wife: Well, then go, go. I hope you die. And I hope I live. And I hope I find a younger man who doesn’t think cooking and gardening is for sissies, a man who likes to go grocery shopping with his wife and likes to smell roses. A man who can meditate and stay home for a day or two. What’s the matter are you afraid of yourself? Husband: I’m leaving. And I’m not going to die. (He slams the door. Gets into his vintage car starts it up--it rattles profusely.) Wife: (talking to herself in the house) I hate you. I hate you and when this pandemic is over, I’m leaving you. Wife’s emotions range from anger, frustration, fear, sorrow, anger,*!??!! Silence…10-15 minute passes…then…Husband returns. Husband: Come on let’s go for a ride. Wife:( her back faces husband). No, I’m not going to ride with Toru and you. Husband: (puts his hands on her shoulders) No, just you and me. Black out.
sunbathing in the afternoon no cars on the road the birds are belting out songs did they always sing so loud? even New Delhi's skies have a clear blue look this is what happens in quarantine... an afternoon fantasy starts to bubble where we go back in time five years is enough then we all know what we should do prepare the earth, clean it out vote Bernie and Liz so, the congress can progress and banks give out a thousand dollars a month to everyone then people willingly give up their guns all cows become sacred pigs forbidden to eat everyone grows a victory garden styles start to change to comfortable barefoot and natural colors tie dyed start to pop from our gardens we catch the fruit as it falls sweet and ready to eat squeeze the juice plant new seeds unroll the day and harvest the sun genie nakano, April 27, 2020
Further, Farther and Beyond bright eyes lashes fluttering into mine time to play she says-- wake up no, you cannot sleep on puffy pillows we pretend to eat a feast savory and sweet calorie free for me eat it all and then plastic fruit knives, forks and spoons dish up colorful make believes everything smells tasty we’re on and over everything make it up as we go along I’m 72 she’s four no matter I can’t climb a tree nor run together we go further farther and beyond Genie Nakano, January 3, 2019
I am writing because the blog lost the last five stanzas--sorry... Soshite Cold outside fingers cramp and freeze my age is showing like a fallen slip so... slap on the blush gloss the lips piggy bank more time I'm not ready for elderhood my heart is still a child my body is merely disobedient so... I will wear a hoodie of youth keep red riding hood Riding insecurities keep me young my mind is always changing indecision keeps me growing I like it that way which way do I turn Right Left I'm not sure So... let's keep going straight ahead follow the coyotes walking in the middle of our streets now we've banked time yellow lights turn to green uncross your fingers uncross your legs the clock is ticking to our pulse breathe inhale-exhale squeeze the stale air out backbend and open your heart So... forward bend balance go out of your head savasana on your feet open the window shades look see listen next moment tell me more 12/19/19 Photo: Genie Nakano a Mural in El Segundo, artist ?