Tanka-Verse

Oblivious to all
the self-centered dream
dreams of peace
being blows the runny nose
while the cat plays

Tanka-Verse

Playing on the shore
along side the self
the imaginary friend
the self cented dream
flowing by unaware

Tanka-Verse

Cat purring in my arms
jumps down
in the moment
not attached to me
meows to play

Tanka-Verse

Purring cat
on the back of my chair
waits patiently for me
to wake up
and pay attention

Tanka - Verse

Sitting, being
the monk
in the middle of rush hour
bows prostrate
before the rushing Buddhas

Tanka of Yosano Akiko

Here is a beautiful translation of a tanka
of Yosano Akiko, by Dogo Barry Graham.

You've never known
this hot blood,
this wet flesh -
are you not lonely,
explainer of the Way?

No words of Dharma,
no thought of afterwards,
no thought of fame or gain -
love beyond love,
looking at each other.

End of Autumn.
Everything changes.
No free will.
Squeeze my tits
in your strong hands.

I envied her beauty.
Now the incense smoke
curls around the hair
of my friend whom
we will now bury.

http://dogobarrygraham.blogspot.com/2009/09/yosano-translations.html
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I was moved by these phrases

looking at each other
are you not lonely?
my friend
love beyond love
free will
we will now bury