Through the Glass

 
Nine Cranes (Detail) by Okuhara Seiko, 1903

Enclosed by fresh greenery
    in my mountain dwelling,
Seaside friends come by
    to discuss poetry.
Amidst the rain the voice of
    the cuckoo at the eaves
The mountain colors interspersed
    with mist are wondrous.

Okuhara Seiko [1837-1913]

 
Nine Cranes (Detail) by Okuhara Seiko, 1903

Peace Haiku

Rising orange sun
from the mother’s sea
peaceful silence

etsuko 9-4-2002

---

Before you speak of peace
remember Sandarkan roads
and foulest murder.
 
We will never forget!
 
David Henry 9-4-2002

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September Eleven
 
The lives of many innocents snuffed out inside those towers
Are mourned by all that value justice, truth and love.
Little do the madmen know of how the giants will move
And how their knees will tremble as they face their final hours.
 
The wind that blows in from the north sings of firm resolve
Of all that value freedom and put justice to the fore
To root out the evil doers and even up the score
And make their paradise so false silently dissolve.
 
However long that it may take, the pain we will endure
The sacrifices we will make, the young lives brave and pure,
The innocents that meet their fate, the vengeance slow and sure,
As justice cleans this awful wound and evens up the score.

Bitter is the taste of blood, the grapes of wrath are sour,
Yet still, the world rotates fifteen degrees per hour.
 
David Henry 10-11-2001/9-4-2002


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