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KatuataIntroductionJapanese poetry seems to be gaining greater and greater popularity with Western poets. The much abused Haiku of course has worn the brunt of this assault by everyone from first year poetry teachers and students, to Microsoft and office jokes, but serious poets recognise that this little poem is a truly remarkable art form. The Tanka is also gaining in popularity and rightly so and both of these forms will be dealt with later. Before dealing with these two forms however, there are two other Japanese forms which in my opinion should be discussed, and may interest poets looking for something different. The first form is called the Katuata, and the second the Choka.
Katuata.
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Early Japanese Posts
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Lorraine DafneyTrees have their branches extensions of their beauty that sway in the wind. When there isn't wind to move the branches waiting will they become stone? back to list |
Spudmick MurphyYou airbrush anger over my mural's meadow. Flowers and sun disappear. Red alone remains. An ugly shade fanged with hate and strength to break fragile bones. The canvas will dry a darker winesap color, like blood spilt on battlefields. I will hang it high; prizing its spoken secret. Who'll crow it's murderous art? ----- Greetings On This Hallowed Eve Hail all saints, all souls! Your signatures color night; footing trails to after-life. Spangled stepping stones laid as stars; splayed across skies as eternity's address. You are bright witness when fractured hearts fail reason; collared by lone existence. For to chance moment 'neath your venous canopy re-fortifies worn spirit. Your gathered voices choir zealous hymns and canons no blind mortal can deny. Receive my smallness. Know you wield song and atlas to ease mortal discomfort through beyond's portal. Hail all saints, all souls! ----- Love's Aerie (Tanka) I- The Eagle I am air and fire; governor of flight and flame; lord of heaven's heights. Climb atop my opened wings. I'll feed you solar secrets. II- The Sparrow's Reply I am but small song; dressing air with melody, fragranced by heart's needs. Bring me, Love, your fiercest burn. Melt me in your sweeps and turns. ----- Regenerated Eyes open to words planting paths to rich gardens blooming seeds' musk and music. Arms raise to welcome soft breezes strong in promise; vowing firm hold when stars fall. Lips part to sun's warmth; inhaling buttered sweetness memory claims is god's taste. Ritual cycles. Gravity shifts. Lift me, Love, high inside your stratospheres. ----- Regenerated (Ryters Response) Sparkling eyes create paths leading higher and higher, sky is Heavens floor. Touch me, hold me close Heavens wind blows strong tonight, stars light reflecting eyes. Freshness, first days kiss creates dawn and daily warmth winter is without. Smiling, lighting life lips promise what eyes fulfil heaven becomes floor. back to list |
Ryter RoethicleYou came in smiling, Clutching a dark red rose That you had found Holding out your rose Offering it to me to smell I put it to my nose Sharing your pleasure A lovely fragrance made more so By your gentle touch -----
Nocturne
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Leny RooversAbide, brave warrior; hot flames cast shadows over reddened earth. I trace rivulets of sweat on skin, perfumed by passion. Tongues tickle and lick sweet morsels of flesh, trembling bodies sigh; tails of comets light the sky as souls travel to heaven. |
Dana RoweGold late afternoon bay laden in burnished mist western shore wavers distant braced by island pair glowering, brass disc hovers becalmed in the reach, lone sloop, sail close-hauled mere vertical line frozen, airbrush-gilded time |
Nia WynneHaunting river banks awaiting their human loves, joy is then taken. awaiting transformation we revel at their coming. Enchanted one dreams, no reason to fake his screams, they result from joy. no reason to fake our dreams-- better to wish them alive. -----
Naiad in Twilight
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