Saturday, November 2, 2013

The Fallen Leaf

Water feature near my Zen House (greenhouse)
In English, a haiku is considered to be three-line poems.  In Japan, having exactly 17 syllables and the inclusion of a seasonal word, are strictly adhered to in order for the poem to be considered a haiku.
The gingko bush is turning yellow and the Japanese maple is turning red.
By ensuring the inclusion of the seasonal reference and limiting to the 5-7-5 syllabic format, the final poem becomes a snapshot of nature, void of the poet's own emotions.  Each person reading the poem can draw their own interpretations.
A red cedar 'enso' with bamboo posts, near a small Japanese maple, small garden temple and moss pot.
Zen elements, such as simplicity, minimalism, and nature... are all felt in haiku poems.
The beginning of my new moss garden.
A Zen monk, Ryokan, recited the following haiku on his deathbed.
Showing the back,
Now showing the front
The Japanese maple tree leaves are
falling down
   A new section of my Zen garden with a water feature.
Wind... rustling leaves
the inseparable
oneness 
by John McDonald
 Red Japanese maple, water feature, smiling Buddha and cement lantern.
If the sun were a tree
Its leaves would be this shining color
And they would drop 
Over my boots
Ankle deep.
When I step
There would be the sound
of light breaking.
Tom Hennen, closing lines to "Wild Aspen Leaves, October"
In my back facing the view of the water, my husband built the torii gate.  The Japanese character is the symbol for truth, trust, belief.  It is one of the 5 basic tenets of Confucius.

Rocks from the 'round rock' beach
2 Japanese maples turning with the Autumn air
My new bell.  My husband built a small torii gate.  When I go outside I face the water and ring it 3 times.
The temple bell stops.
But the sound keeps coming 
out of the flowers.
--- Basho 
   
  
 
 
 

23 comments:

india flint said...

One of my happiest commissions was working on 'wanderlust' a production about Basho's long journey where each scene was based on a haiku.
This is a beautiful post.

ZenDotStudio said...

I am smitten by the cedar enso and the rusted good fortune character! How lovely. Such wonderful photos of the fall leaves too.

ArtPropelled said...

I feel I am sheltering in this post for a few minutes respite. Your garden is a sanctuary and the words a prayer. I love Tom Hennen's poem.

Jennifer said...

A breath of fresh air. A calming, centering place to visit often. Thank you for sharing your most wondrous garden.

Barry said...

D - it is a beautiful thing to create cal mess and simplify in one's surrounds. I enjoy coming into your garden and feeling the serenity. Interesting that you also posted on haiku. As part of the recent Maleny Celebration of Books there was a class ink writing haiku. Fiona and I attended. We now need quiet time to apply the learnings. Go well. B

Yvonne said...

Such a lovely space and lovely words. Love the round rocks. A friend gave me some tiny ones but not sure where they originated.

Andrea said...

Thank you for the lovely visit to your garden. You are a wonderful guide offering up beauty of sight, sound and spirit. Very gracious and inspiring!

Clare Wassermann said...

your garden soothes me even online! How I would love to sense it in other ways. Where is that lovely stretch of water?
Thank you for your peacefl=ul photos and your willing husband!

Anna Mavromatis said...

Your ability to offer serenity through your posts is supreme; thank you!

lyle baxter said...

I could feel the breeze from the water! the new "man" in your garden is very handsome. When my husband died several years ago his fellow workers sent me a small Japanese maple to honor him. It has grown short and wide over time. now when I greet the tree I will be greeting both John and you. thanks for the lovely post.

Cate Rose said...

Wonderful post. What a beautiful place you've created.
I'm old school in the haiku department, as well...I don't like it that so many people insist on changing the rules about 5-7-5 and still feel they can call what they create haiku.
Hope you're feeling peaceful and blissful.

Valerianna said...

So much beauty here... and peace.

Jo Reimer said...

Your place on the Sound is so beautiful. I'm sure you find rest there. I'm also a fan of haiku but have trouble writing it no matter how I try.

Leslie Avon Miller said...

It seems each nook and cranny has had the attention of your artist's sense of esthetic and care. What a beautiful space you have created Donna.

Tammie Lee said...

such gorgeous details
your garden overflows with a feeling of peace that is inspiring.
and to have a view of water like that! such a grand gift!

Caterina Giglio said...

what an incredible sanctuary and thank you for bringing us in to this sacred space...

Velma Bolyard said...

this garden must be such a place of peace for you and your guests. it looks to be a place to wander wordlessly.

Jacobus (Jack) Oudyn said...

What a beautiful garden.Having just returned from Japan and experiencing "the colour", and seeing your garden makes me want to create a similarly perfect space at my home.

tess stieben said...

Beautiful! Gardens are a blessing. A few years ago my husband built me a small "native plant" garden in our front yard as our native butterflies, bugs and birds need the native species to survive. We are slowly attempting to "naturalize" a bit of our small city plot and be rid of the "imported" grass. We started a small plot of native grass and I must say we get a lot more birds visiting now than ever before which is a delight.

Lisa JonesMoore said...

Wonderful to re-visit your blog...it's been a long time!

Don Madden said...

great colors in japanese maples.

Gaby Bee said...

Dear Donna,
Merry Christmas and a very Happy Healthy New Year to you and all your loved ones.

Gaby xo

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