3/13/12

Tohoku Earthquake Poems

Below are some verses I wrote recently for Japanese friends on the anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake:



Takedake


The pristine elegance

of hollow reeds

Carved with patience

by loving hands

Within focus

he resonates

a distant world

Ichi on jobutsu



-David Hebert

For Koji, on the one-year anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake.




To Heroism


The lengthiest epic

could never contain

Multitude gratitudes

seem merely stoic

All virtues are summed

in one small refrain:

“Hiro is simply heroic!”



-David Hebert

For Hiro, on the one-year anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake.




Disorienting Distance


Beside Kamogawa was the heaven I lost

While a young dreamer bursting ambition

Whirling about years across dizzying world

Pressing each drop of joy from this persimmon

Hazarding the very deepest and gentlest of souls


Muriko means hopeless girl, but I dropped her hope

Like a broken spade

in our garden with no chrysanthemums


Disorienting distance takes its toll

leaving no final refuge

Such is the cost to cross the Kamogawa they say


Even for the boldest and noblest of companions

Even the truest and kindest of friends

Sages warn hell revolves on the other side



-David Hebert

For Mitsuko, on the one-year anniversary of the Tohoku earthquake.



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