Miyagi

In the aftermath of the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit the Miyagi Prefecture in Japan, the Japanese people remain calm and dignified, queuing up for food, petrol, etc. and looking after each other. This catastrophe occurred just before spring when the cherry blossoms bloom and Japan would be at its most scenic.

a crane perches
amongst the cherry blossoms
Miyagi

To the Japanese, the short-lived cherry blossom is a symbol of the fleeting nature of life and the crane, which migrates to Japan in the fall to spend the winter, a symbol of peace and harmony.

Japan is also known as the Land of the Rising Sun and the stoic Japanese firmly believes that, like the sun, Miyagi will rise again.

through flurries of snow
rays wake the cherry blossoms
a new sun rises

A Salute To Miss Emily

This poem is a salute to Miss Emily Dickinson and is based on her poem "The Cricket Sang".

Song of the Cricket Band

The shrill song of the Cricket Band
Goes rushing up the hill
As sunset starts to hesitate
And twilight stands so still.

As workers down their tools and trek
Their way home for a rest,
Shy stars that hide behind the clouds
Prepare their twinkling best.

A grey and tranquil cloak descends
As birds fly homeward bound;
Night slips in and with it a chill,
Day leaves without a sound.

A misty blanket prowls the land
Like tigers in the zoo
The dark night hides its travel as
It coats the grass with dew

An owl calls out from trees above
And sends the night agog;
The moon emerges ghostly like
A flower in the fog

Lee

Robin Ant Hood

There was once a hero by the name of Robin Ant Hood who lived in the green Sherwood Japanese Rose Forest in Taiping with his good friend, Little John Beetle, and his band of merry men. Although John was a big man, he had a yellow streak and would only emerge after the fight is over. That is why he was also known as John the Chickenheart.
The lovely Ladybird Marian also lived there and, boy, was she enamoured with Robin; she would blush a bright red every time Robin is around.
Now, these were turbulent times and Robin and his men had to fight the greedy Prince Black Bee John and the evil Sheriff Mealy Bug who turns white with fright whenever he faces Robin.
But good always triumph over evil (or so they say). Sheriff Mealy Bug was slain by Robin and Prince Black Bee John was thrown into the dungeon still clutching two bags of gold.
Robin, Marian, Little John and all the merry men lived happily ever after.

The End

Is this love?

Love birds by ferix_bucket


Yesterday as I was riding home on my white motorbike among moderately heavy traffic, I suddenly came upon a dead bird on the road. Another bird was risking its life darting in and out of the traffic to try to get to the dead bird and, above the din of the busy road, I could almost hear it pleading and cajoling the dead bird to get up again. Is this love?

Fall

Fallen leaves is by Lee1959
Indian Summer is by Caitilarkin
Snowflake is by BalzingCraze


brown leaves
litter the cold hard ground
bare branches

brief respite
to warm chilled bones
Indian summer

usher
to the blinding white
first snowflake

Love Flowers

Rose by JohnKattt


A rosebud burgeons in the misty dawn,
Alluring and resplendent in the light.
A shy glance and my trembling heart is gone;
Beyond belief but it’s love at first sight.

A blooming flower in all its splendor,
Intoxicates me with its wild fragrance;
While we dance to the song “Love Me Tender”
The kind sun smiles on us with warm patience.

The sun sets and the rose begins to wilt;
The wind is crying as we say goodbye.
In every fallen petal lies our guilt;
Our love is lost and we do not know why.

Ringing

Bluebell Wood by Rajenjolz


ringing
throughout the woods in spring
bluebells