Thought Prints

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 31st: a haiku by Basho The last of the May Tan Renga Challenge month.  A haiku is used as an inspiration for a two stanza response.  When a haiku is used in this way is is named a hokku. do not doubt it, the bay has its spring too, the flowers of the tide                   © Basho (1644-1694) flow from the warm river mouth stripers have a shad picnic               petra domina Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 30th: "rumbling winter storms" by Paloma - - - - our host's introduction - - - - Welcome at this penultimate episode of Carpe Diem's Tan Renga Challenge Month. Today I have a nice "hokku" written by one of our family members, Paloma. So we have a nice modern "hokku" to "play with". Here is Paloma's "hokku", she wrote this one in December 2013: Rumbling winter storm – Ents are dancing with their wives – ancient limbs entwined © Paloma - - - - my response - - - - Paloma was one of the first of the CDHK group to give my fledgling attempts at haiku a great deal of encouragement.  I can never thank her enough the the kind words that helped me get going on the hiaku path.  She is gifted, courageous in moving the edges of poetry and just generally a good egg.  Thanks for your beautiful hokku. Rumbling winter storm – Ents are dancing with their wives – ancient lim

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 29th: "a single frosty rose" by Mizuhara Shuoshi (1892-1981) Mizuhara Shuoshi (1892-1981) was a 20th century Japanese poet who was responsible for a trend towards greater emotional expression in haiku.  Here is our "hokku" by Mizuhara Shuoshi: A new year begins With the blooming Of a single frosty rose © Mizuhara Shuoshi A nice "hokku" to start our Tan Renga with. Here is my attempt to make this Tan Renga complete: A new year begins With the blooming Of a single frosty rose                               (Mizuhara Shuoshi) clouds of breath pointing the way towards the old Shinto shrine                      (Chèvrefeuille) - - - - response - - - -  A new year begins With the blooming Of a single frosty rose                               (Mizuhara Shuoshi) petal curls glistening in the rising morning sun                           (petra domina)

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 28th: "temple in the sky" by Ubugu - - - Inspiration - - - temple in the sky the road opens a slice of blue sea                                         (Ubugu) heat dances above the horizon childhood memories come to mind           (Chèvrefeuille) - - - Response - - - temple in the sky the road opens a slice of blue sea                                         (Ubugu) washing across the ages in a trickle of words                                      (petra domina) Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 27th: "such a still water" by Tan Taigi (1709 -1771) Such a still water even the dragonfly splash it with the tail                 © Tan Taigi (Tr. Gabi Greve) mirror image returns motionless weeping willow             ©   petra domina Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 26th: "silence" by Jane Reichhold Here is the "hokku" for today's Tan Renga Challenge: silence in the blind wind's dance blossoms © Jane Reichhold Our host's response: silence in the blind wind's dance blossoms                                    (Jane Reichhold) admiring the cherry blossoms lying naked on a deer skin         (Chèvrefeuille) - - - - - - - - - - - - - my response... silence in the blind wind's dance blossoms                                    (Jane Reichhold) nodding .. .. .. with nature's music                (petra domina) Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 25th: Inspiration: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Miura Chora (1729 – 1780) was a Japanese poet raised in Ise, in the Mie Prefecture of Shima Province on the island of Honshu, Japan. He traveled throughout the country composing poems and helped lead the Matsuo Bashō revival movement of the eighteenth century. Here is the "hokku" for todays Tan Renga Challenge: the shrine in the sacred grove: a cool wind blows                       © Chora incense mingling with fresh pine scent                        ©   Janice 'petra domina' Adcock           Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 23rd: "one step outside" by Tagami Kikusha Today I ( Chèvrefeuille)  have a nice "hokku" for you by a classical haiku poetess, Tagami Kikusha (1753-1826) one step outside the temple gate, its Japan -- a tea picker's song                       © Tagami Kikusha silky leaves in deft hands drink of dreams and operas           ©   Janice 'petra domina' Adcock Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Theme Week #4 (7 ): Latifa Prayer lines 6 & 7: "I love" and "I am prepared" Full inspirational post here - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I (Chèvrefeuille) think in the Latifa Prayer it's about that first kind of love, unconditional love for all and everything. That love stays a mystery ... you can not go on a quest for that kind of love .... that kind of love overcomes you unexpected. lotus flowers rising from the depths of the pond everlasting love like a river flows onwards uncertain of its goal © Chèvrefeuille Love is about your deepest desires, let your heart speak ... and not your mind. The last line of the Latifa Prayer "I am prepared" connects you to all and everyone around, it connects you with the desires you want. my response to the inspiration  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - As I sit in my comfortable home with my husband, my desires are minimal. Our son has reached a degree of success professio

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 22nd: "on a windless day" by Cheryl Lynn (a.k.a. Tournesol) Today I have chosen a "hokku" by Tournesol. Tournesol is the penname of Cheryl Lynn, a very gifted haiku poetess. Tournesol is a long time member of our Kai and she has really gorgeous haiku written. Here is our "hokku" for today: on a windless day six circles take shape a pebble skips                       © Tournesol master applauds with pleasure as the novice jumps in glee       petra domina Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Month May 21st: "the mountain stream" by Thomas Hand (penname: Hando) listening with another to the music of the mountain stream here is no other                                    © Hando the problems of our minds dissolve in the stream's mist                     ©   Janice 'petra domina' Adcock   Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Theme Week #4 (5 & 6): Latifa Prayer lines 4 & 5 "I believe and I trust" & "I let go" Introduction: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Both lines are in the middle of the Latifa Prayer and that's no coincidence I think, because these two lines belong (in a way) together.  To "let go", you have to "believe and trust" that it will become okay. Without believe and trust you cannot let go. my response - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Have you ever done one of those team building exercises?  You know where you close your eyes and fall backwards into the waiting arms of the other members?  We did this with a group of kids we sponsored.  It went fine and no one hit the floor.  In my insane mind I decided to just randomly fall into my husbands arms.  He always caught me.  We were in our twenties at the time.  While visiting with our neighbors on their patio, once more I fell into my husband's waiting arms.

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 20th: "night rolled away" by Gillena Cox Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers, First this today I only will publish a new Tan Renga Challenge just because of lack of time, so no worries I am okay. For today's Tan Renga Challenge I have a nice starting verse "hokku" written by Gillena Cox, she is one of our family members and maybe you have read this haiku somewhere at CDHK. night rolled away the street-sweeper's broom deepening dawn sounds                            © gillena cox the bell of a bike tunes in as the paper hits the door                        ©   Janice 'petra domina' Adcock Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Theme Week #4 (4) Latifa Prayer "I hope" Inspiration full post is here .  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Today the third line of the Latifa Prayer "I hope". Hope is the one thing we never have to forget. There is always hope and as we will loose hope than what's than ...? There are several ways to use the Latifa Prayer, one of course to pray it, but another use is in meditation and that meditation I love to share in the last episode of this Theme Week. The Latifa Prayer Meditation is built around the seven lines of the Latifa Prayer and in that meditation you have to use several gestures. For the third line "I hope" that's the following gesture: [...] Bring your right hand to your left lung. Always use your left hand to help your right hand. Say to yourself: I hope. Think about all the things you wish and want in life. Because of this you are going to be able to make space in your mind. [...] All religio

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 18th and 19th: praying hands & two bubbles Inspiration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  So here are our choices: praying hands seeking the wisdom of the Lord the cry of an eagle  © Chèvrefeuille, your host. Lotus Flower And this one by a not so well known classical haiku poet Murakami Kijo (1865-1938): the moment two bubbles are united, they both vanish, a lotus blooms © Murakami Kijo * a response - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - praying hands seeking the wisdom of the Lord the cry of an eagle                      © Chèvrefeuille, your host announces the setting sun lotus blooms close                        ©   Janice 'petra domina' Adcock Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Tokubetsudesu #80: Memory Lane: Utabukuro (or poem bag) Honeysuckle vines entwined around the old, deformed willow tree behind the overgrown rose bushes.  Spring would bring a flush of blooms through out the old yard.  Lilacs, lilies, iris, roses and of course the honeysuckle.  The young maiden would break off a lilac or two and then wind a length of the blooming honeysuckle along the stem.  This would be gingerly placed behind her ear.  An instant princess. midsummer night - the scent of Honeysuckle tickles the senses                    © Chèvrefeuille the warm breath of his love . aphrodisiacs . .                        ©   Janice 'petra domina' Adcock I must admit that my exposure to haiku is mostly on CDHK.  I admire the writings of our host and the other participants.  In the moment I read Chèvrefeuille's haiku all I could think of was the memory I shared in this post.  And Chèvrefeuille has shown in his poetry his appreciation of his

Carpe Diem Theme Week 4 (3) Latifa Prayer "I desire" Full inspirational post is here .  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - cold winter night dreaming about the coming of spring - cherry trees blooming © Chèvrefeuille In this haiku the desire for spring is the leading theme. After the long cold winter I ( Chèvrefeuille)  am longing for spring and of course spring starts (at least for me) as my old Sakura in the backyard starts to bloom. Introduction: The second line of the Latifa Prayer is "I desire" and with that line you open your thoughts for your desires and become aware of them. What are your desires?  My Response - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  I desire, I want.  , give it to me. no it is mine. mine, Mine. MINE...  For so many years desire was more about wanting to be wanted by someone, being desirable.  Desiring to be appreciated for talents one displayed.  Always short of the mark.  Or was the mark unconsci

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 17th: "spring rain" by Ozaki Hosai (1885-1926) spring rain: parting on the beach a boat and an umbrella   © Ozaki Hosai (1885-1926) the boat sails away umbrella gives chase spring rain umbrellas unfolding across the plains as farmers race to plant the fields Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI ©   Janice 'petra domina' Adcock

Carpe Diem Theme Week #4 Latifa Prayer episode 2 "I exist" INSPRITION - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  inspirational challenge  Today we are looking at the first line of the Latifa Prayer, 'I exist'.  What is its meaning and relation to haiku?  I suggest you read the  full post here .  Learning as much as everyone on this journey. dancing dervishes reflecting movements Lotuses dance too © Chèvrefeuille - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - my response or journey i exist Ever wonder at what point self awareness happens?  Is it in the womb?  Or when we take our first independent breath?  The first infant cry of discomfort could be the moment.  But who knows!  I surely do not remember my first moment of that awareness.  Whenever it was it was certainly the beginning of the journey.  Many years of childhood are spent gaining the experiences of 'i exist'.  Think of the delight of a child bursting bubbles, "I exist and that exists.  I'l

Carpe Diem's Theme Week 4: (1) Latifa Prayer, introduction This is a theme week at CDHK, Our host will guide us to explore the Latifa Prayer.  The following is the prayer. I exist I desire I hope I believe and I trust I let go I love I am prepared Our host has an explanation you can read here .  Or you can read this .  This is not a prayer or concept with which I am familiar.  It will be a real experience to learn about this approach to mediation, self growth and awareness.  My mind is still moving through Europe and the things we saw, the faith, the absence of faith, the grudges held over the centuries and the folks that just want peace. ancient walls covered in parables speak to those who see ©   Janice 'petra domina' Adcock Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Challenge Month May 16th: "cold barren garden" by Milan Rajkumar - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - inspiration: Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers, Yesterday (May15th) we had a wonderful haiku by Yozakura, a not so well known classical haiku poet, so today I have chosen to challenge you with a haiku by a modern haiku poet and member of our Carpe Diem Haiku Kai family, Milan Rajkumar . Maybe you can remember this haiku as part of our first Carpe Diem Theme Week about the Tibetan Book of the Death. cold barren garden ah! I don't have to worry coix seed beads in hand © Milan Rajkumar Coix seed beads Here is my (Chèvrefeuille) attempt: cold barren garden ah! I don't have to worry coix seed beads in hand                              (Milan Rajkumar) whispering voices praying   the sound of coix seed beads                       (Chèvrefeuille)                                                    - - - - - -

Carpe Diem Tan Renga Month May 15th "feeling alone" by Yozakura feeling alone  in the woods around Edo  just the autumn wind         © Yozakura (1640-1716) through the bare branches I see the dragon-kites         © Chèvrefeuille feeling alone  in the woods around Edo  just the autumn wind          © Yozakura (1640-1716) the single leaf tumbles by searching for a pile of friends    ©    Janice 'petra domina' Adcock Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on  CARPE DIEM HAIKU KAI