lounging on divan
wrapped in mohair afghan
fit to be tied
© Tournesol ’15
Category: CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI
Wonder (haiku)
Sparrows gather
beneath the elm, morning chant
cat sits in wait
~
whistling wind
grassland due south
scarecrow lost his hat
~
crystal gems
wintry garnished scenery
I slipped and fell
© Tournesol ’15
New Year’s Parade (haiku)
dance of the lion
Aunt Kaminari disguised
New Year’s explodes
© Tournesol ’15
piercing arrow (haiga)
piercing arrow
stabbed my heart
only time will heal
© Tournesol ’15
combing cards (haiga)
combing images
reciting ancient verses,
tots play patty-cake
© Tournesol ’15
CP Card Games (Karuta)
Farmers’ market (haibun)
Going to the farmers’ market as a young child was an adventure. My grandmother would take me and I enjoyed the social aspect of it. Farmers chatting with GrandMaman, so many knew her for she was a midwife and probably assisted many births in those farm houses. It was also a place appropriate to bargain at the local market and sometimes just listening to some of the bantering made it fun to be here with her. It’s sort of cool tagging along someone so well known, respected and loved.
Although we lived in town she still knew her fresh vegetables seeing as she had several gardens, flora and vegetables and she knew how to choose fresh meat. She would even test fish by taking a tiny piece raw and taste it to see if it was really fresh; I guess it is no surprise that I learned to eat a tiny portion of fresh extra-lean grown steak raw sprinkled with salt while she was making hamburgers. You have to remember that in those days we went to the butcher and saw him grind the fresh steak.
farmer’s market
old woman picks at the fish
it glared at her
© Tournesol ’15
Home sweet home (haibun)
Sogi’s haiku that our host so beautifully translated gives me such a beautiful image of hope.
abandoned house
the garden taken over –
butterfly home © Iio Sogi (Tr. Chèvrefeuille)
I get expectant feelings as I imagine butterflies,insects, stray cats, rodents and birds making a home wherever they can especially during our cold winter months. Even a homeless person who may find a “good spot” shielded from bitter cold winds and rain appreciates our view of “nothing” as “home”.
Verger d’Emilie
winter’s hostage
free rent
~
abandoned kiosk
finch and sparrows
moving in
~
moving in
cats and mice playing nice
catch me if you can
~
padlocked fruit stand,
awning offers shelter,
beggar’s castle
© Tournesol ’15
au clair de la lune (haiku)
valser sur glace
au clair de la lune
baiser langoureux
~
waltzing on ice
by light of the moon
languid kiss
© Tournesol ’15
thriving souls (haibun)
This prompt made me think of the tall golden grass in the autumn. I wonder if I could have collected some and braided it, somewhat like our autumn decorations at Thanksgiving with dried corn cobs and long braided husks.
Walking in the freezing yesterday, I noticed the long golden grass had frozen as if promises for Spring were frozen in time during the cold winter months. Perhaps winter is a time to percolate ideas and spring is to put some of these into action and fruition.
As we begin a new year, the Japanese culture adorns their front doors with sacred rope to ward off evil spirits…somewhat like protecting the hibernation of treasured thoughts, hopes and prayers.
braided rice straw
hangs at the entrance
barring evil spirits
hangs at the entrance
open to abundance
budding souls
barring evil spirits
faith in the new year
holding treasures
© Tournesol ’15
New sun (haiga)
cat purrs
golden warm glow
new sun
~
new sun
early bird catches the worm
cat leers
© Tournesol ’15
Tournesol dans un Jardin 
