Two Poems by Liz Johnston

A Winter Buson Haiku Pantoum

Of deep December
So lonely…lovely…
Black calligraphy
A thousand roof-tops

So lonely…lovely…

My horse stumbled suddenly
A thousand roof-tops
Hear that rat go rummaging…

My horse stumbled suddenly

I unfreeze the writing-brush
Hear that rat go rummaging…
Pin-point-pattering pebbles

I unfreeze the writing-brush

Black calligraphy
Pin-point-pattering pebbles
Of deep December

--Liz Johnston
 

Notes: Haiku above from Buson.  A haiku is 17 syllables, first and third lines contain five and the second line seven. Almost always relates to a season.  A pantoum is a poem with lines that repeat in a specific pattern.

Wave Hands

 
They gather
For 90 minutes
One tea and snack break
To study
3 sets
108 moves
In 18 minutes
Commencement of Tai Chi
Fluidity
Movement
Grasp bird’s tail
Ward off monkey
For balance
For health
White stork spreads wings
Brush knee and twist step
To stand steady in the year of the horse
The group moves in unison
Parting wild horse’s mane
Fair lady works shuttles
Set leader in front
Direction changes
Expressions relax
Shoulders drop
Needle at sea bottom
Reach up to pat horse
Cross hands
Closing of Tai Chi
“And again”

--Liz Johnston


Note lines in italics are moves from Taoist Tai Chi by Master Moy.