Zen Wisps

WISPS

RENGA

one

Winter-midday blue of sky.
What is that? A crescent cloud?

Floating on west hills,
Huge wisp of white moon's a ghost
Of another world.

two

Last blue of summerdusk, cool
On grey cloud. Breeze sways branches.

Rows of Norfolk pines:
Above the seaside buildings,
Dark, living towers.

three

Frost-crisp night. Stars are vivid
Vastness. Gleam of galaxy.

Milk of heaven's light
Shimmers from the mothering
Of infinity.

four

South wind bearing summer rain;
Grey sky over white-foamed waves.

On updrafts over
Headland slopes maroon kites search;
Steering on air's stream.

five

Small spurts of yellow on wide
Field's green: fireweed's bright gleam.

Earth answers winter sun's
White-gold flame with small, cheerful,
Fourteen-petalled shine.

six

Grey-white clouds on summer blue;
Slow roll of moisture masses.

See! wisps and billows:
Drifting, fractal forms, dreaming
Weaving of the world.

seven

Long winter beach: sea sounds.
Sun sinks. White sea hawk spirals.

White foam is tinctured
With gold sheen; blue shallows touch
Faint, violet tone.

eight

O young flame tree. Red fire
Flower of summer's vanished.

But hanging, black pods
Hold the seeds and now you greet
Autumn with new leaves.

nine

Day's last luminosity
Chill-greys valley dam's calm face.

Patchy, white mists drift:
Strange__like a procession
Of spectres in dream.

ten

Late-summer night's cool valleys
Harbour mists. Half moon shines low.

Where drifting moisture
Meets light, hills are dark islands
In white, glowing seas.

eleven

Silent, a kookaburra,
Winter-sharp in morning light,

Perched on ironbark,
Ponders the ground: so still in
Intense watchfulness.

twelve

Nearly autumn. Dawning light
Pearls small drops on spider's strand.

Over the spaces from
Leaf to leaf spans a shining,
Tiny rope of dew.

thirteen

Tall, brown tallow tree spreads leaves
In breezeless, winter silence.

From far, wings arrive.
A butcher bird alights. Now
Silent tree spreads song.

fourteen

Summer evening. Couples
Turn their backs upon town lights.

Sitting on dark grass,
They watch spells of sparkling waves:
Moonrise over sea.

fifteen

East hills glow coppery green.
West wind fades. Blue shadows reach.

Later setting moon
Smiles in mauve. Soon Saturn rules
Deeps of August dark.

sixteen

Half moon ghost on morning blue
Rides by a high peewee nest.

Above four wings guard
New generation. Beneath
Kittens search dead leaves.