Revised Opinion

Tags

choka, Murasaki Shikibu, Pillow Book, Yang Kuei

(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.

Car Park Chaos

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!

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!

 

Bed Warfare

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.

 

 

Duets

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.

Unfortunate Timing

Tags

Kleenex, Pillow Book, Utamaro

 

(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.

Temple Observations

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.

Night Visitation

Tags

choka, Pillow Book

(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.

First Month Temple Visit

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.

Lovers’ Leave-Taking

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!

 

Return to Sender

Tags

Pillow Book, postage, Sei Shonagan

It is depressing

if you write a long letter,

filled with juicy news

and you don’t get a reply;

or, if it’s returned

and the envelope is torn;

someone has scribbled:

no longer at this address:

it is most discomfiting.

You check the postage.

Has the seal been tampered with?

You toss it aside

and you cannot be bothered

to set it all down again.