• About

Candia Comes Clean

~ Candid cultural comments from the Isles of Wonder

Tag Archives: Pillow Book

Pointless Things

23 Sunday May 2021

Posted by Candia in Fashion, Humour, Literature, Personal, Poetry, Psychology, Satire, Social Comment, Writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

concrete operational, fascinators, list poem, pet hates, Pillow Book, Sei Shonagon, trout pout

I think I wrote this poem based on an entry in The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon,

which was a list of ugly things. I tried to bring it up to date with pet hates of the

20th and 21st century.

Juxtaposing hair

which is unkempt with fine clothes;

a fascinator

on a helmet-like mullet;

hand-made paper spoiled

by spidery handwriting;

low-cut brides kneeling

in front of praying vicars;

presenting logic to the

concrete operational,

who try to pretend

that they understand;

a trout-pout selfie taken

by a narcissist – tramp-stamped,

and no Spring chicken either.

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Revised Opinion

02 Saturday Dec 2017

Posted by Candia in Arts, Literature, Nature, Nostalgia, Poetry, Writing

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

choka, Murasaki Shikibu, Pillow Book, Yang Kuei

File:Flowers of Pear Tree.jpg

(Pear tree blossom by Ruslan; Wikimedia Commons ; uploaded to Flickr by Pauk)

 

 

The pear tree’s blossom

seemed of little consequence

to my casual glance.

I would not have fastened it

to a love letter;

but when I scrutinised it,

I noticed something

quite remarkable, in fact:

its petals have a blush tinge,

right around the edge

and so, I then understood

why Yang Kuei’s face,

dampened with tears, was described

as a rain-streaked spray of pear.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Car Park Chaos

24 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by Candia in Community, Humour, Literature, Poetry, Psychology, Social Comment, Writing

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

choka, flip the bird, Pillow Book

…based on the decription of a log jam of carriages in 10th

century Japan, in The Pillow Book!

Image result for japanese woodcut carriages concubines

After an event,

everyone wants to escape.

Some drivers push in;

some people give way, politely;

but others are rude

and drive right up your exhaust

when you leave the grounds

and exit onto the road.

Someone always overtakes

and may flip the bird

from the safety of their car.

They wouldn’t do this

in normal circumstances,

but are brave behind the wheel!

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Bed Warfare

21 Tuesday Nov 2017

Posted by Candia in Summer 2012

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

choka, Pillow Book

 

(Wikimedia Commons.  Yoshitoshi Woman Cooling Off)

 

Lovers’ discord will

infuriate a woman.

Restless, she’ll decide

not to remain in the bed.

It is galling if

the man does not dissuade her.

Often it’s too cold

to stand by one’s principle.

Other guests may hear something,

so she crawls back in,

but clings to the very edge.

He’s commandeered the sheets

and pretends to be asleep.

She puts freezing feet on him.

 

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Duets

20 Monday Nov 2017

Posted by Candia in Animals, Community, Environment, Literature, Nature, Nostalgia, Poetry, Writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

bush-warbler, choka, Insect-eater, Ninefold Enclosure, Pillow Book, plum blossom

 

(Wikimedia Commons.  Chen Xianzhang Plum Blossom; Hunan Provincial Museum)

 

 

Crimson plum blossom

often shelters bush-warblers,

as the poets claim.

But The Ninefold Enclosure

never attracts birds –

and I have listened for years.

How inauspicious!

Yet, in many peasants’ yards,

they trill (but not overnight.)

The Insect-Eater’s

a lowly designation

for a divine bird.

Though diminishing in tone,

its call deserves more respect.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Unfortunate Timing

19 Sunday Nov 2017

Posted by Candia in art, Arts, Humour, Literature, Personal, Poetry, Relationships, Romance, Social Comment, Writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Kleenex, Pillow Book, Utamaro

 

Image result for Utamaro lovers

(British Museum: Lovers in an Upstairs Room by Utamaro)

 

Delicate moments,

such as marriage proposals,

can be quite ruined

by an inopportune sneeze.

The superstitious

interrupt the proceedings

by shouting, Bless you!

to banish bad luck.

Then everyone looks around,

convinced they’ll catch cold.

Your suitor sniffles

into his paper Kleenex

and changes his mind.

You tell yourself that you

would have said, No, anyway.

 

 

alternatively-

 

Delicate moments,

such as marriage proposals,

can be quite ruined

by an inopportune sneeze.

The superstitious

believe a lie is signalled

by sternutation

and are wont to say, Bless you!

That undermines gravity

and provokes laughter.

Those who may lack confidence

don’t resume their spiel.

They often change the subject

and abandon the issue.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Temple Observations

18 Saturday Nov 2017

Posted by Candia in Community, Humour, Literature, Nostalgia, Poetry, Psychology, Religion, Social Comment, Writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

choka, Pillow Book, temple

Having to focus

on an unattractive man

who is a preacher

tends to detract from his words.

Some sit at the front,

or put things on the first row,

to reserve places.

Those who are retired are worst:

they have ample time to fill;

they don’t pay much heed

to what is actually said;

they love self-exhibition.

As for most young men,

they scrutinise the women.

It wasn’t like this before.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Night Visitation

17 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by Candia in Community, Literature, Personal, Poetry, Psychology, Relationships, Romance, Social Comment, Writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

choka, Pillow Book

Related image

(Utsusemi)

 

Corridor footsteps

will stop outside one chamber:

hopefully your own!

A fingernail scrapes the door,

or you hear a tap,

which may persist for some time.

When the man gives up,

you have to be very quick

and let him know you’re awake.

If you swish some silk,

or stoke the coals in your grate,

you may detain him.

If you don’t want him to shout,

you had better let him in.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

First Month Temple Visit

16 Thursday Nov 2017

Posted by Candia in Community, Literature, Personal, Poetry, Relationships, Religion, Romance, Social Comment, Writing

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Buddha, conch, Hase temple, Pillow Book

Still inspired by The Pillow Book (10th century Japan)

(Wikimedia Commons; Third Princess)

At Hase Temple,

there was a vulgar scrabble

to see the Buddha

and to present petitions.

A conch shell would blast

and a bell reverberate.

Your own devotions

could easily be side-tracked

by other pilgrims’ requests.

The devout will pray

practically the whole day;

some even at night,

but a few young men

just go to meet girls.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Lovers’ Leave-Taking

16 Thursday Nov 2017

Posted by Candia in Humour, Literature, Personal, Poetry, Relationships, Romance, Writing

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

leave-taking, perfect lover, Pillow Book, Sei Shonagan

 

 

It is annoying

when a man keeps rummaging,

looking for his keys

and possibly his phone too

and you’re still in bed.

He may not put on the light;

might stumble around,

trying to re-locate socks.

You never get back to sleep.

His e-mails could wait.

Why not kiss you tenderly

and pretend to care?

Bring you a nice cup of tea?

Now that’s a perfect lover!

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

My name is Candia. Its initial consonant alliterates with “cow” and there are connotations with the adjective “candid.” I started writing this blog in the summer of 2012 and focused on satire at the start.

Interspersed was ironic news comment, reviews and poetry.

Over the years I have won some international poetry competitions and have published in reputable small presses, as well as reviewing and reading alongside well- established poets. I wrote under my own name then, but Candia has taken me over as an online persona. Having brought out a serious anthology last year called 'Its Own Place' which features poetry of an epiphanal nature, I was able to take part in an Arts and Spirituality series of lectures in Winchester in 2016.

Lately I have been experimenting with boussekusekeika, sestinas, rhyme royale, villanelles and other forms. I am exploring Japanese themes at the moment, my interest having been re-ignited by the recent re-evaluations of Hokusai.

Thank you to all my committed followers whose loyalty has encouraged me to keep writing. It has been exciting to meet some of you in the flesh- in venues as far flung as Melbourne and Sydney!

Copyright Notice

© Candia Dixon Stuart and Candiacomesclean.wordpress.com, 2012-2013. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Candia Dixon Stuart and candiacomesclean.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Recent Posts

  • Merton Madonna and Child
  • Cat-holic
  • Buttercup Invasion
  • Merton College’s Mighty Organ
  • Coronation Weekend in Oxford

Archives

  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012

Categories

  • Animals
  • Architecture
  • art
  • Arts
  • Autumn
  • Bible
  • Celebrities
  • Community
  • Crime
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Family
  • Fashion
  • Film
  • gardens
  • History
  • Home
  • Horticulture
  • Hot Wings
  • Humour
  • Industries
  • James Bond films
  • Jane Austen
  • Language
  • Literature
  • Media
  • Music
  • mythology
  • Nature
  • News
  • Nostalgia
  • Olympic Games
  • Parenting
  • Personal
  • Philosophy
  • Photography
  • Poetry
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Relationships
  • Religion
  • Romance
  • Satire
  • Sculpture
  • short story
  • short story
  • Social Comment
  • Sociology
  • Sport
  • Spring
  • St Swithun's Day
  • Summer
  • Summer 2012
  • Supernatural
  • Suttonford
  • television
  • Tennis
  • Theatre
  • Travel
  • urban farm
  • White Horse
  • winter
  • Writing

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

acrylic acrylic painting acrylics Alex Salmond Andy Murray Ashmolean Australia Autumn barge black and white photography Blenheim Border Terrier Boris Johnson Bourbon biscuit boussokusekika Bradford on Avon Brassica British Library Buscot Park charcoal Charente choka clerihew Coleshill collage Cotswolds David Cameron dawn epiphany Fairford FT funghi Genji George Osborne Gloucestershire Golden Hour gold leaf Hampshire herbaceous borders Hokusai husband hydrangeas Jane Austen Kelmscott Kirstie Allsopp Lechlade Murasaki Shikibu mushrooms National Trust NSW Olympics Oxford Oxfordshire Pele Tower Pillow Book Prisma reflections Roger Federer Sculpture Shakespeare sheep Spring Spring flowers still life Suttonford Tale of Genji Thames Thames path Theresa May Victoria watercolour William Morris willows Wiltshire Winchester Cathedral

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,569 other subscribers

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Candia Comes Clean
    • Join 1,569 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Candia Comes Clean
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: