Chionin Bell
Butterflies in haiku poetry often suggest the transitory nature of life, a key Buddhist concept. Here’s an old haiku poem, anonymous from what I can tell, that neatly brings together the butterfly and Buddhism. The image in this haiku suggests to me a butterfly seeking momentary respite in the sanctuary of a temple, both key images of my novel, Buddhaland Brooklyn.
Upon the temple bell
A butterfly is sleeping well
Poet-painter, Yosa Buson
As my novel, Buddhaland Brooklyn, is poured over at my publisher, I make a silent offering.
From one of the classic Japanese poet-painters, Yosa Buson (1716-1783), a haiku capturing the sentiment of my little book:
In a bitter wind
a solitary monk bends
to words cut in stone
A large waterfall by Utagawa Hiroshige
As part of my haiku series of “offerings” to the literary gods, as my novel Buddhaland Brooklyn is readied for sale, I present a poetic morsel from one of my all time favorites, Yamazaki Sokan (1464 – 1552.) The poet was one of the granddaddies of haikai no renga, which are sort of offbeat and humorous linked verses that morphed into formal haiku. Sokan had a lovely sense of humor – here’s a taste.
O thou obsequious frog
With hands spread on the ground
And croaking flatteries of such solemn sound.
Kobayashi Issa
A New Year’s offering from my hero, the poet-priest, Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827)
Here’s the New Year
And on top of old foolishness
New folly is piled
Buddhist poet-priest, Kobayashi Issa
I am just about to show my second novel, BUDDHALAND BROOKLYN, to my agent. In celebration, I will, for the next months, regularly post Haiku poems, my humble offerings to the literary gods.
First an offering from my hero, Kobayashi Issa (1763-1827), a key background figure of my new novel:
Tub to tub
The whole journey
Just hub-bub!
