Poetry ~ Waka
This photo was taken by a friend and former colleague who is travelling with her partner on a cycling tour in South-East Asia. Arianne and Sebastien are very generous in sharing some of their experiences and sights along the way at Tandem en Cavale on Facebook.
Being a sucker for sunrises and sunsets, I had to write something to one of their stunning photos.
Sunrise at Kawah Ijen, July 10, 2016.
all your hopes
hanging
in the dawning mist
© Tournesol’16/07/15
Song Lyric Sunday theme today is to choose a song that gives us guilty pleasures. I do listen to some songs that I may not feel guilty for enjoying but I am selective with whom I want to share these songs and mantras. Some songs are just too close to the heart and the soul. It is a bit like sharing a precious prayer or poem you have written. Having someone dismiss it or mock it would be disrespectful but also hurtful. Perhaps that is why we must be vigilant with whom we share meaningful and private things.
There are two persons at work where I may share some songs; after talking with the, for instance, they may share how stressed they are and under a lot of pressure at work. Recently I sent this link which is a mantra I discovered by chance. Then again, perhaps it was not chance and it was meant to be. I have purchased three versions since then which I downloaded to my IPhone so I can sing along as I walk to or from work. I added the words in my phone in my “notes” so I could read along until I could pronounce the words as best I could.
Whether you understand the words or not, just let the voice and music of Devi Premal transport you. This is the one I listen to when I am writing or even relaxing at home…the video is quite amazing.
Most times I weep of joy when I chant this mantra…words sometimes fail me as they are caught in my throat that is filled with so much emotion. I wish I would have known this mantra to sing to my mother when she was dying. Devi Premal chanted this to her father on his deathbed.
coming together
chanting to the Universe
as one
© Tournesol’16/07/10
Gayatri Mantra with English Lyrics and Meaning
Gayatri Mantra (Regular Version): Track 3 From the Album “Divine Chants for Peace, Joy and Healing.” Download a higher quality mp3 from Itunes or Amazon using the links below:
Itunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/divi…
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Divine-Chants-P…
Gayatri Mantra lyrics (transliteration):
Om
Bhur Bhuva Suvaha
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.
English Meaning:
The Eternal being
Pervading the three planes of existence physical, astral and celestial
[representing the three states of waking, dream and deep sleep]
as the light that is worthy of worship
we meditate on thy spotless and divine presence
purify our intellect with the light of awareness.
Note:
Gayatri mantra is one of the best mantra for chitta shuddhi or purification of mind and to turn the mind into a sattvic or harmonious mind that automatically feels drawn to rest in the awareness of the blissful Self within. However it is one of the mantra that requires inititation for chanting (initiation is not require for listening but only if you are going to chant it on your own). If it is not possible to come in contact with a qualified guru who can initiate you, you may visualize the image of an Enlighened sage like Ramana Maharshi or Ramakrishna and visualize that they are whispering the mantra into your ear and initiating you. Alternatively you can simply listen to the mantra
The colour purple caught her eye…so much lavender spread out just as she turned off Laurier onto rue Casgrain. The sun was at high noon and perfect to see the splendour of the rich colours before her. Then she saw why they were so beautiful.
busy bees
creating nature’s beauty
tirelessly
busy bees
floral revival
labour of love
creating nature’s beauty
under His watchful eye
faithfully
tirelessly
like a mother’s love
nurtures
© Tournesol’16
Daily Moments July 10, 2016 – busy bees troibun
In spring I was delighted to see so many lilac trees lined along the streets in front of commercial areas. I wonder if that is an arrangement with businesses. Whatever the deal, it is simply breathtaking when they are blossoming at the same time.
Our city has ash trees lined on the side of streets and all along the boulevard in front of my home. These are the trees that shade the backyard of my son’s home as well, and I, along with his German Shepherd and Golden, like to cool off in their shade.
This year will not be one of those times, however. The ash trees in southern parts of Québec, Montreal 
What is unfortunate about this situation is the fact that too many cities plant the same type of tree …rows and rows rather than interspersing among a variety. Now with these trees all dying, we will be left with emptiness.
My son and I walked in a nearby park last Sunday and he showed me the holes in the bark of one ash tree. That`s where the larvae breed under the bark and suck all the life out of these beautiful ash trees.
rows of ash trees
leaves spreading sparingly
one last summer
one last summer
cycle ends before its time
mournng ash
© Tournesol ’16-07-09
Daily Moments July 9 2016 mourning ash Haibun
Inspired by a video of rolling waves on a deserted beach, her muse wanders to lands of frivolous fancy.
rolling waves moan
ruffled crinolines reel
cancan of the sea
©Tournesol’16
daily moments July 8 2016 maritime dance
Her head is a bit foggy theses days with the heatwave this week. No matter how many hours of sleep, it still never seems to be enough. She thinks about her neighbours upstairs and wonders if they are finally resting after a month of fasting…Ramada is over, they too need to catch up on sleep.
(troiku)
heatwave
humid dense air
heavy breathing
heatwave
children squealing
splashing water
humid heavy air
piercing through
cicadas songs
heavy breathing
coolness of the night breeze
lovers play
© Tournesol’16-07-07
Daily Moments July 7 216 Heatwave Troibun
If you are interested in learning more on how to write a “troiku” check out Chèvrefeuille’s blog at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai, who created this new form of haiku.
Every Christmas Place des Arts is filled with parents and children, especially little girls sitting and watching with awe.
small feet dance
each move is part of a love story
filled with wonder
©Tournesol’16/07/05
The Secret Keeper (5) Words: | MOVE | SMALL | WONDER | DANCE | PART |
Tossing and turning she rises despite a few hours of sleep. The quietness of the morning is a stranger to her wakefulness. Every moment is in slow motion. Suddenly the words pour on her screen. Now she understands why sleep could not return.
(troiku)
perfect day
sunshine and butterflies
tranquil ease
perfect day
mind filled with verse
writing pleasure
sunshine and butterflies
another day of rest
sits and watches
tranquil ease
untangles cobwebs
words released
©Tournesol’16/07/04
Daily Moments July 4 2016 watch the day float by Troibun
We are asked to choose a favourite haiku, explain why we chose it and rewrite another haiku inspired from our choice. I chose one from a chapter on Karma from David G. Lanoue’s book Pure Land Haiku: The Art of Priest Issa)
“Shortly before he died, Shinran wrote the following note to a friend: “Even when my life comes to an end and I am reborn into the Pure Land, I will come back again and again, like the waves dashing on the beach of Waka-no-ura”(Tran. Kurata247) Reincarnation, especially in relation to the bodhisattva myth of enlightened being returning to the world of suffering to enlighten others, was a favourite theme for the founder of Jôdoshinshû and, consequently, for his followers. Issa writes, then rewrites, a haiku about himself and a butterfly under a shady tree.
in tree shade
relaxing with a butterfly…
friends in a previous life
© Issa Kobayashi”
(Pure Land Haiku: The Art of Priest Issa by David G. Lanoue)
I chose this haiku because, since the death of my mother December 2014, I have been visited so many times from spring to fall by a particular butterfly. At first, I saw one in Montreal in a thicket behind my workplace on my way to my afternoon shift. I would stop and take photos and we would visit, silently conversing. This spring I am revisited again on a busy street by the same type of butterfly.
spring through fall
divine interventions
butterfly visits
©Tournesol’16/07/04
I just remembered this morning, I have 5 days off in a row instead of 3! Being a slow poke and not a planner, I realize that I can just relax one more day and not feel guilty.
tomorrow
and other morrows
shall follow
In the interim, washing the slip-covers of my couch seems like a good start of a day of leisure…the machine does all the work.
reading `tween times
an autobiography
one cousin’s past
fragrant shampoo
drops of Argan oil combed through
waist long hair
rousing my best feline friend
savours scents from each lock
sipping slowly
Colombian brew
Ah! life is good!
©Tournesol’16/07/01
Daily Moments, July 1 2016 “Life is good” (haibun)
Tournesol dans un Jardin 