morning fogs garden
mulch of yellow leaves &
bug-bitten blooms -
everything bows to autumn rain:
trees, petals, even my words
~0~0~
a maple leaf falls
on empty playground
its descent, an arc
unsteady in cool breeze -
sunset fills my eyes
And in honor of Ghanian poet, Kofi Awooner who died in Kenyan shopping mall over the weekend in hands of the Al Qaeda linked terrorists, I was inspired to write this:
autumn never came for you:
your words are always spring
& rain & drumbeats of hope-
now the black birds are silent
& elephants are weeping a river
Shared with Real Toads - Tanka poems
Picture credit: here
Beautiful Grace and love the inspired piece.
ReplyDeleteOh, that tanka in honor of Kofi Awooner is beautiful, Grace. Takes my breath away...thinking of those elephants who must indeed by crying rivers. Enjoyed the maple tree tanka. I have watched leaves fall like that (nice photo too)...and understand about the sunset!
ReplyDeleteIt is a heartfelt tribute and sadly we all are left weeping, such a tragic, horrible act of injustice for all.
ReplyDeletethe tanka in honor of Kofi Awooner is so reflective of the poet's spirit.....the autumn poem is very nice too........
ReplyDeleteThree marvelous tanka... and the one in honor of Kofi Awooner is heart breaking.
ReplyDeleteThe favorite poem is the maple leaf. It simply melt on my tongue as I read it.. with that final line to close it. :-)
You've spoken to my deep love of autumn here Grace.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a beautiful tribute to Mr. Awooner...
in the last one, there is a really great contrast between the first and second line...the autumn that never came yet the spring in their words...there is an awesome power in that...our words continually renewing those that are left behind....
ReplyDeletei love autumn as well so i like the imagery in each of these
Always bringing about a colorful act indeed
ReplyDeleteelephants weeping a river....love that... such a great tribute to him... and love how you capture autumn in the first one... so much beauty in this time of year despite the decaying..
ReplyDeleteNicely written and heartfelt.
ReplyDeleteon empty playground, its descent, an arc - I love this and it captures it for me, that feeling of re-birth and expectation of the coming glory. Really nicely done.
ReplyDeletesuch beauty in each poem Grace... the unsteady fall, the eternal spring that rises from hope beyond tragedy.
ReplyDeleteWhile your first two pieces were beautifully done, I'd have to say the third, the tanaka is my favorite.>KB
ReplyDeleteGrace, I love your tribute..elephants weeping a river, beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful..and your piece for Kofi is sadly touching. Makes me sad that his words won't be shared again this side of eternity. Peace to you, Grace.
ReplyDeleteeverything bows to autumn rain - it does seem so, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteand what a lovely, fitting tribute to Kofi Awwoner
Kofi Awooner
DeleteI'm flirting with tankas vs. haikus these day; you given us 3 outstanding ones; brevity extant, but emotion at its peak; nice work & thanks for hosting OLN.
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't know about the poet who died. That stanza really got to me...and indeed they are all beautiful and give us the essence of the season.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Grace.
ReplyDeleteBoth pieces are so beautiful, Grace! I love the alliteration of the first stanza -- it is really pounding. And the second poem -- I was so saddened yesterday too to find that he was killed.
ReplyDeletebeautiful little gems.
ReplyDeleteboth poems are truly wonderful... the piece for Kofi esp tugged on my heart strings...
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful these are. The first is my favorite, the bowing before the dance; but I also love the tribute/rememberance--all the words remaining spring with silent blackbirds and tearful elephants.
ReplyDeleteLOVE those beginning lines...morning fog....bowing to Autumn's rain...to the close with a maples leaf sailing down at sunset.
ReplyDeleteEspecially incorporating Autumn with your own hearfelt tribute for Kofi Awooner and drumbeats of hope.
An awesome "poetry-Day" for you, Grace....
Love the closing lines of your first especially. That final one is so sad...a touching remembrance.
ReplyDeleteVery nice and true..."everything bows to autumn rain:
ReplyDeletetrees, petals, even my words " Love the imagery.
Beautifully words put altogether with such an imagination you have. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this poem of yours. :)
lovely poem..beautiful tribute
ReplyDelete..Hmm, slowly making tone of easy dance to lure nature! Good read! And may i say RIP to the Dead!
ReplyDeleteThe tribute to Awooner takes my breath away!
ReplyDeleteLoved both of these. The first a wonderful welcome to a new season with such fantastic imagery. The second a poem to a friend whose voice to the world was lost way too soon. Absolutely loved the line " autumn never came for you," it says so much.
ReplyDeleteSuch beauty flows from you and your last tribute piece is achingly and compassionately wrought. Excellent writing, Grace.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed all of these..the tribute was especially nice..
ReplyDeleteLove the tribute poem at the end, and the two fall pieces.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful imagery, Grace. Painted with fine word//brush strokes! The palette was a given!
ReplyDeleteWonderful poems Grace! And it's most tragic and a great tribute extended to the late Kofi!
ReplyDeleteHank
I enjoyed each of these. They are very spiritful and crisp.
ReplyDeleteI love your autumn images, Grace. And your third poem is a beautiful and poignant tribute to the poet. What a sad sad loss his death is.
ReplyDeleteGrace there is always so much power yet softness in your words and the Tanka written here are simply beautiful. I did not know of this Poet Kofi or his passing - so thank you. x
ReplyDeleteThe third one moved me. Such a beautiful tribute.
ReplyDeleteLiked this line... everything bows to autumn rain...
ReplyDeletebut mostly your tribute to Kofi... beautifully written.
Beautiful words to describe the beauty of autumn.
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute to autumn and to Kofi...~jackie~
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, all three and a lovely tribute...very sad times indeed.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. May he rest in peace!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the falling maple leaf sunset best. (I think it's the focus on the very specific and then expanding to the sunset). Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThought I commented but don't see it....Beautiful poem and tribute ....x ~jackie~
ReplyDeleteSeems like you hit it in the head Grace. autumn is a season most people love for all it is, but in truth it is the season of death all around us.
ReplyDeleteAs usual, Grace, your words are powerful. A tribute that would stand on its own. Fine work.
ReplyDeleteSteve
I liked your poem and tribute to the fallen, timing is good.
ReplyDeleteesp,ie While all the countries are playing pass the 'mike' this
week in their practice of lies wanting world peace and who
can express the straightest and most sincere lying masks!
Beautiful tribute Grace
ReplyDeleteInspired by Autumn. Painted pictures savored for all seasons done by your tender touch.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Your "Season of Autumn" is lovely and your tribute to Kofi Awooner is powerful. Two fine poems.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous work, Grace.
ReplyDelete"....everything bows to autumn rain....beautiful
ReplyDeletethank you
Wonderful, Grace--new favorites of your. So sad --the last. k.
ReplyDeleteespecially the tribute, Grace...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful lines...you always inspire me....
ReplyDeleteGrace these are all so beautiful. The last one tugged at my heart. Lovely tribute.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute. I love the fall images you have created.
ReplyDeleteOhh..oh how i love the sensations of fall..you capture them well here now..as I am starting to remember them again for the first time in over 5years...
ReplyDelete