初詣 Hatsu Mo-de

Under a pure blue January sky,

Visit the shrine, and

Bow, clap, purify...

Jump Start

Strong coffee,

Now kind of wired,

Used to 

Be tired,

Now sort of

Inspired...

2025

Let it all sink in,

Sitting at computer chair,

Take a deep breath

Of a New Year's air... 

Stephen

Not much else to

Do than sigh,

Never got the chance

To say "Goodbye",

No point in anger,

Or asking "Why?"

Can't turn back, no

Matter how you try,

The Fates never

Cease to mystify...

Christmas Sacrifice

Wrapped in beautiful papers,

Lovely, meticulous construction,

Presents then unwrapped in an

Orgy of tearing and destruction,

Ripped, crumpled paper trash,

Following the joyful ruction...

At Rest

Few things finer,

Than to lean back and

Nap in a recliner...

Fine Print

My body came with a warranty,

Which I cannot seem to find,

But maybe I've exceeded it?

Never mind, never mind...

Hardware Fix

Feeling lonely,

Listless, dejected,

Spiritual WIFI

Was disconnected,

So, reboot the

System, and then,

Feel somewhat

Better again...

Supermarket Sadness

I miss her, the lady who worked

The cash register, making change,

We traded greetings, which

Self-checkouts now rearrange,

Into a colder cost-efficient

Man-machine-interface,

Requiring no pleasantries

From human race...

Bliss

A certain level of comfort,

Neither now, nor then,

The unappreciated gift,

Of not knowing when...

茶

Seated on tatami,

Hot water slowly mixed

With powdered tea,

Green and frothy,

Sipped reverentially...

Generation Z

Full, but empty,

Alone, but free,

It's just simplicity,

It's just me...

Almost Solstice

Long nights, darkness rule,

But light's slow rebellion

Starts, this week of Yule...

Waves

The joys and sorrows

Our Earth days send,

Ever approaching,

Never end...

Kita-Kyushu 12/14/2024

Standing in line, waiting to

Order a burger and fries,

When suddenly stabbed,

And later she dies,

In safe place, she cruelly

Lost her young life,

Attacked by a random

Madman's knife...

イチョウの木

Shell-shaped Ginko leaves

First turn light yellow-green,

Then later burst into gold,

A magical autumn scene,

As arriving winter breezes

Slowly swirl and blow,

Ginko leaves start falling

Like gold-yellow snow...

Umi-kaze Park

Tent set up, with ocean view,

Light the coals of the barbecue,

Relax on grass till the day is through...

Loose Ends

Errands, appointments, bluster

Through the daily give and take,

Chasing down the promises

We made and make,

Resolve before arrival

Of the Year of the Snake...

師走・12月

This month of running priests,

Gets busier as the day draws near,

Clean, cook, buy and prepare

For the holy end of the year...

Wear And Tear

Calluses, perspective,

Gained from the knocks

Our woken days give...

Gas Pedal

Riding on wheels with

An urge to speed,

Unconscious death wish,

Some kind of greed?

Narcotic acceleration,

Auto exhilaration...

Empty Street

Cold north air now

Settled all around,

Shadows grow,

No shifting, no sound...

Peace of Mind

Dream, sleep, chill, relax,

Briefly, before

Reality reattacks...