Sakura Haiku Tour

After making two posts about Sakura (that's 佐倉, not to be confused with sakura, the cherry blossoms 桜) this month, I recalled writing some haiku during the time when I lived there. Since I have some photos to go with them, it seemed time to share them.

This one is a true story. I was bored sitting at home on a weekend in late autumn.

clothes dry slow today
idle wish for an earthquake
GET UNDER THE DESK!

Most weekends you will find oji-san (old men) sitting on the shore of Inba Marsh using long bamboo poles as fishing rods. They never seem to catch anything, but the piles of cigarette butts surrounding them in this peaceful environment suggest that they come here for a different reason.

Tobacco farmers
wood boats rot into Inba
Marsh fishers relax

Where's the dragonfly now?

If you happen to lie down in the grass at Sakura Castle Park, you will be treated to an interesting air show as jets make their descent into Narita.

translucent airplanes
substantial dragonflies chase
chaotic patterns

Sakura Castle Park in Spring

I had been told so many times about the beauty of cherry blossoms that I never really experienced it until walking under a lone tree on a busy street corner and looking up.

puffy snowflowers
belated awakening
vibrant leafless trees

Like this, only green

Before I learned to appreciate the cherry blossoms, a Japanese maple on the walkway leading to the National Museum of History caught my attention.

sharp palms flatten air
redefining vivid green
and spring’s arrival