winter wind whistles
frosted windows peak
lovers spooning
warmth of their flesh rises
under down filled duvet
(c) Tournesol’16
Poetry ~ Waka
winter wind whistles
frosted windows peak
lovers spooning
warmth of their flesh rises
under down filled duvet
(c) Tournesol’16

After a week of spring thaw, winter resumes its course. Walking on the soft powdery snow, she shuffles slowly using its step as a human broom…swish, swish. The soft powder lifts lightly above her leather boots like a shower of white sparkling dust. Dust with spots of diamonds glistening in the soft light of the street lamps.
unusual thaws
ice weighs on spindly limbs
snap
©Tournesol’16/02/10 Daily Moments
We are asked to translate in our own words the famous haiku by Basho:
furu ike ya kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto
the old pond;
a frog jumps in —
the sound of the water
© Basho (Tr. R.H.Blyth)
Every time I read this haiku I see and here this:
splash
a frog jumps
rings melt
© Basho (Tr. Tournesol)
and translated in French:
splish-splash
une grenouille saute
des cercles s’étendent
© Basho (Tr. Tournesol)
last fallen leaf
limbs freeze in time
– silence
~
after serenades
wolf greets winter moon,
– silence
~
after the rage
kissing fists and leather belts
screams silence
~
sibling rivalry
birthdays and barbecues
empty nest
© Tournesol ’16/02/03

mourning clouds takeover
spilling with a vengeance
tears in heaven
© Tournesol ’16/01/30
Daily Moments January 30 2016

She enjoyed tea especially in her old porcelain cups. On her father’s side of the family, the O’Donnell’s had enhanced their tea rituals with porcelain sets imported from their homeland. Over the years her great-aunt’s collection had grown so much only half was housed in the antique china cabinet she had inherited from her parents.
When tea was growing in popularity, teas produced in Assam were imported to Ireland from British East India Company offering a more robust flavour.

lips on porcelain
robust in flavour, yet
elegant and pure
lips on porcelain
transforming humble customs
extraordinary
robust in flavour, yet
tender traces –
generous
elegant and pure
demanding – subtle
arrogance
©Tournesol’16/01/29
the explorer
seeking answers wrapped in gold
life’s journey
snowflakes gently fall
this mild wintry afternoon
tears of relief
angels greet this new spirit
stripped of pain, lives forever
a dove chortles
wings that lift him high above
bows in reverence
a mother gasps
grabbing at her heart
leans on the father
little sis’ weeps
leaning on her sons
and loving spouse
baby brother
cradled by his children
wife feels his heartbeat
minions pray
aunts, uncles, offspring and friends
pillars stand guard
let us pray
a new dimension of love
his safe passage
©Tournesol’16/01/28
Daily Moments January 26 2016 14:48

City grounds slumber
dreaming of tête-à-têtes –
awaken in spring
© Tournesol’16/01/27
Daily Moments – January 27 2016
Walking home last night she slowed her pace to enjoy watching snowflakes falling softly. She had missed the full moon the night before and knew it would still be quite full unless it was hidden by those snow clouds.
full moon chasing stars
snowflake brushed her cheek
behind swirly clouds
©Tournesol ’16/01/25
Daily Moments January 25, 2016
droplets weep
on the Great Buddha
first morning
©Tournesol’16/01/22
Carpe Diem Special #193 Revise That Haiku … a trip along memory lane
Daibutsu no katahada no yuki toki ni keri
the snow has melted
on one shoulder
of the Great Buddha
© Shiki