Sunday, May 22, 2016



WALKING IN SPRING FROM RAICHO GUESTHOUSE
TO SEE THE WATERFALLS OF NORIKURA




the high snow well into spring keeps the gorges
below Mt. Norikura loud and rushing

to climb there you'll have to pass the wild azalea
and listen to a cuckoos drumming all morning

if the water-bananas are blooming keep your eyes
on the meadows for the pale flash of a Siberian Bunting

and just when your feet are tired of stumbling over 
knotted hemlock roots and up the birch lined ridgebacks

you'll come to rest under the resounding 
sun mist radiance and falling wind of Sobundaki falls

cleansed a little by the spray of Norikuras waters
you'll think fondly of starting home






Sunday, May 1, 2016




may day



morning comes like a bouquet
of flowers hung on the front door

jasmine, rose
and musty eucalyptus

may day! may day!
all the light goes
back to one star flowering

may day! may day!
all the sounds go
back to one sound ushering

we wrap our colored ribbons
against the always turning year