Sunday Scenes – December 9, 2012

Two poems I found:

ON HIGHWAY 70, SOUTH, TO SACRAMENTO–
CHRISTMAS DAY
Michael R. Collings
c. 2003
=============================================

First, an egret, show-white hump
Unmoving in the ragged field,
Chalky blur as our car whips by,
Pure against stiff breeze-blown blacks;

Then, some miles further south,
Three–one alight, two awing–
Blending light with cloud, reflecting
Sky to fallow, waiting fields.

Then, on both sides, a dozen . . . more . . .
Sweeping angles, binding earth
To heaven with lustrous, facile flight,
Mirrored in flat watery panes.

No more–or . . . wait . . . silhouette
Against distant snow-caps, one more
Wings silently east, seeking dawn,
Surcease from winter’s murmured ice.

At last, no more. Marsh-black winter
Draws itself to a horizon
Unremittingly flat and gray. . . .
Where egrets must await the spring.
~~~~~~

“LIKE A WAVE CREST”
(from the Japanese of)
Uda
c. 9th century; transl. Rexroth
===============================================

Like a wave crest
Escaped and frozen,
One white egret
Guards the harbor mouth.

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** contributory thanks to Sam Droege **
~~~~~~

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Tonight is the second night of Hanukkah! Chag Sameach!

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December 9, 2012 – 25 Kislev, 5773

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