Kanreki
The fine mist spray was artificial
But who cared
Both the white crane and the red turtle
Seemed unconcerned
But did they notice
They knew for sure that sun burned
And it would not do
If the bath filled with lobsters
Got too warm
Moments later
Both the white crane and the red turtle
Became invisible mid mountains of
Corresponding coloured balloons
Each released to celebrate someone’s saisei
Then as the sacred rice paddle giri passed
From one kenshi to another
A crisp sakebu sounded
And the white crane and the red turtle
Each wept happy tears and feasted on Kasane mochi
The lobsters would have to wait another day
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Author:
Neville (
Offline) - Published: June 7th, 2020 02:24
- Comment from author about the poem: if one looks hard enough, they will find beauty... even if they do not understand the nature of it.... N
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 28
Offline)
Comments5
Amid happy feasting and celebration your write provided yet one further learning curve for this humble reader -- Japanese custom when reaching 60 means lots of ritual before yummy rice cake so I believe - - words learnt add to the intrigue penned into the rest of the interesting verse - - DOMO ARIGATOU to you mi amigo...... x
Ha.. my brothers 60th birthday provided the inspiration for these words dear Fay 60 being an important number and signifying re-birth or new beginnings.... there is a lot of red in kanreki celebrations too.....
ohayou gozaimasu
And the crowd wandered off looking for McDonalds.
Good morning to you too DA and Kanpai .. tis a crazy old world innit 🙂
Wonderful words Neville, when I hit sixty I did start over again in a newer life where my work was arranged so that I only worked two days per week, so yes sixty is a special age, (64 was better when I retired completely!)
May you brother live his new life to the full.
Andy
Bless you Andy.. I will convey those kind words to him for sure
Neville
I not seen many Kanrekis about. I dunno what I'm talking about today. No change there then?!
at least you acknowledge that you have the odd shortcoming Orchidee… yes I know.. very odd indeed
Cheers or Kanpai,
Neville
Thanks Neville. Or as a line of a hymn puts it, on a penitent theme: 'And o'er its (my soul) own shortcomings weeps with loathing'. If not too much of asceticism? And quite a long word there too!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your words, but I also wanted to understand the depth behind them. I looked up the meaning behind all the Japanese words and symbolisims, and that only made the poem that much more interesting.
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