1000 stanzas

1000 stanzas

A Poem by gram linski

Wrote full moon haiku,
by river banks,

purple trees watching

smiling Basho
in the sand
               the moon!
               the moon!

sitting grey haired
in the night

I dance inside
the flame

I throw my poems
into the wind

unadorned
unread

too soon,

the ancient Buddha
willow tree

old
gnarled
silent

Diamond sutra

laughter lines
in the sand

to the world

leave me alone
with the thoughts of
Buson

© 2019 gram linski


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Featured Review

My first feeling after reading this was that feeling of coming to terms with a certain shift and just letting it flow over. The zen of Japanese poetry in its carving out the core of an idea kind of refining the mind. Even if only momentarily.

I like the feel of it. Sometimes when I go outside before sunrise this time of year, the air cuts into my lungs in the most satisfying way. Like it’s empty and ready to receive anything- asking me to be the same. Prepping me as I breathe in. That’s kind of how this feels to me. Inhaling a sense of sharp renewal, waiting to grasp how the exhale falls.

A few years ago, on a bad night, I discarded about 100 poems I had written. I had no back up copies. I just needed them to be gone at the time. Some of them still live on in my head, and sometimes lines from others will come into my head, but mostly they’re just gone. Mine weren’t on paper, but the act of it was like throwing them to the wind. Like the speaker in your poem. And realizing a little too late that I wasn’t exactly ready to let them go. But, there it is. I saw myself in that moment when I read that part of your poem.

My favorite part of this, though, is the part where the exultation or adoration of the moon mixes with ‘sitting grey haired in the night’ and creates this double image of the moon and the man becoming one. That’s how it shakes out in my head anyway. I love the idea of that.

Really enjoy the mixing of states in this poem. And the sense of refined understanding tempered by what the title implies- as in- there is so much more to understand. This is great.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

gram linski

4 Years Ago

Hey, Eilis you do get around, lol, it's actually several poems mangled into one, which might explain.. read more



Reviews

I love this poem . . . great imagery in the graceful tradition of eastern art. What comes to mind for me is how it's more important to embrace the artistic journey, not worrying about who will read/see/hear, if it will be popularly received, etc. Just like the art in the forest, words do not have to be read to be pleasing (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

Posted 4 Years Ago


gram linski

4 Years Ago

thanks, Margie, great review, there is an estate close to me that has a forest art gallery, with 7 f.. read more
barleygirl

4 Years Ago

JEALOUS!!! *wink! wink!*
My first feeling after reading this was that feeling of coming to terms with a certain shift and just letting it flow over. The zen of Japanese poetry in its carving out the core of an idea kind of refining the mind. Even if only momentarily.

I like the feel of it. Sometimes when I go outside before sunrise this time of year, the air cuts into my lungs in the most satisfying way. Like it’s empty and ready to receive anything- asking me to be the same. Prepping me as I breathe in. That’s kind of how this feels to me. Inhaling a sense of sharp renewal, waiting to grasp how the exhale falls.

A few years ago, on a bad night, I discarded about 100 poems I had written. I had no back up copies. I just needed them to be gone at the time. Some of them still live on in my head, and sometimes lines from others will come into my head, but mostly they’re just gone. Mine weren’t on paper, but the act of it was like throwing them to the wind. Like the speaker in your poem. And realizing a little too late that I wasn’t exactly ready to let them go. But, there it is. I saw myself in that moment when I read that part of your poem.

My favorite part of this, though, is the part where the exultation or adoration of the moon mixes with ‘sitting grey haired in the night’ and creates this double image of the moon and the man becoming one. That’s how it shakes out in my head anyway. I love the idea of that.

Really enjoy the mixing of states in this poem. And the sense of refined understanding tempered by what the title implies- as in- there is so much more to understand. This is great.

Posted 4 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

gram linski

4 Years Ago

Hey, Eilis you do get around, lol, it's actually several poems mangled into one, which might explain.. read more
Freedom with our poetic thoughts. Close to nature. That's where you took me with these lines. All good wishes

Chris

Posted 5 Years Ago


gram linski

5 Years Ago

Cheers, Chris, a mellow moment in time, few and far between,lol,
Wonderful use of words. The words danced to perfection places and thoughts. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry my friend.
Coyote

Posted 5 Years Ago


gram linski

5 Years Ago

Thanks again, dude, always nice to have a little pocket of serenity in the chaos
Beautiful poem of carefree, openness, honesty and frankness. Of not giving a damn. And just going with the flow of life and your freedom of will.

Posted 5 Years Ago


gram linski

5 Years Ago

Thanks Dawn, today was a good day, lol
a poet's meditation...yes, the trees watch...we write, we throw them against the wind...and somehow the themes and others' interpretations of the themes drift back to us on that strong current
and in the end...we are alone with our thoughts...but have drawn our lines in the sand.
nicely done.

Posted 5 Years Ago


gram linski

5 Years Ago

Glad you liked it j. the power of meditation can be a powerful thing, f***s your knees up, but gives.. read more
You serve up a Japanese poetry feast in a flowing flowery free verse here gram. A joy to read and the message feels serene and calming! Loved it.

Posted 5 Years Ago


gram linski

5 Years Ago

That one is for you, John, cheers
John Alexander McFadyen

5 Years Ago

I am in your debt dear poet.

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Added on March 8, 2019
Last Updated on March 8, 2019

Author

gram linski
gram linski

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