On Reading Issa

On Reading Issa each Morning

Every morning
as others open their papers
to the sports page, or
keep them closed on the grim
rumours of the day,
I receive a small, sweet message
by e-mail, a message
telling of simple things ...
midday naps, the scent of the lotus,
deer rutting and mountain rain,
a sickle moon, a temple bell,
muddy straw sandals, the beggar's stove,
first frost and slush-splashed robes,
plum blossom, Buddharupas,
saké cups, radishes,
garbage-removers, mosquitoes
at the eaves, and a cottage door
crushed by morning glories,
tumble-down houses and dogs
mouthing down rice cakes.
Only occasionally a bigger mystery
presents itself for my morning
consideration, such as
a samurai's discarded top knot.


[Click] Photo by Elias Wakan Naomi's essays and poems have appeared in Resurgence, Geist, Room of One's Own, Kansai Time Out, Far East Journal and many other magazines and web-sites. She has read on CBC and in poetry venues. She is also a member of Gabriola Fibre Artists. Segues, her book of long poems, will be published by Wolsak and Wynn in April 2005.	Monday's Poem © Naomi Wakan On Reading Issa each Morning Every morning as others open their papers to the sports page, or keep them closed on the grim rumours of the day, I receive a small, sweet message by e-mail, a message telling of simple things ... midday naps, the scent of the lotus, deer rutting and mountain rain, a sickle moon, a temple bell, muddy straw sandals, the beggar's stove, first frost and slush-splashed robes, plum blossom, Buddharupas, saké cups, radishes, garbage-removers, mosquitoes at the eaves, and a cottage door crushed by morning glories, tumble-down houses and dogs mouthing down rice cakes. Only occasionally a bigger mystery presents itself for my morning consideration, such as a samurai's discarded top knot.
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