Submissions 3 – frozen

Anyone not yet an Icebox contributor, who wishes to submit an English haiku, haiqua, senryu, tanka, or (short) haibun or renga, can do so by offering it as a comment on this page. Just type it into the reply box below and click ‘submit’. An editor might later decide to move it onto the top page.

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117 responses to “Submissions 3 – frozen”

  2. dawn–
    creation’s beauty for the eye
    to see the “I”…

    This one popped at me while I was walking on the streets, at a particularly busy time. I got impatient at some point and decided to change my focus so as not to dance on the spot and getting people’s undesired attention; so, instead, started watching people’s faces and when I was becoming too insistent, just found something else to do…checking out loud the number plates and …

    lo! “EYE 007”, a brand new flamboyant, orange and strange shaped car that swished as fast as the driver was allowed to go, inspite of his wish to stand on the speed pedal, I more than guessed by checking out with his taut looks, even at this young hour of the morning.

    Well, that brought me to a stillpoint within for a split of a second-I checked my watch.I still had ten minutes before me to spare and this time, I looked up at the sky and noticed for the first time after I set my nose out, the most beautiful morning with an incredible palette of pink, peach and orange sky over my head. I backed off and I stood motionless and gulped in with awe at what surrounds us in every way and everyday.

    I took in religiously the new feelings, the peace and the inspiration that was given to me in those precious minutes and bartered out my doubts, my weaknesses, one by one, to this unforgettable moment.

    dawn —
    to You, Goddess
    I bow

    …..

    • Brinda,
      Thanks. Although Icebox will consider haibun from non-contributors, it might have been better to have submitted this to the Genjuan International Haibun Contest. Details are found through the page link at top right of our top page. Send another haibun piece or two there?

      • Tito, Hi!
        I am sorry, I completely forgot about this!
        I have noted your comments and will do so,

  3. deep winter
    blending the color
    of sky and stone

    first frost
    each facet of the web
    in brief detail

  6. tiny insects with a big bite, also known as sand fleas outside of the Southern U. S.

    first day of spring
    the no-see-ums
    show themselves

    • Too soft their voices
      for me to hear their words
      of next door neighbors
      this Night of the Full Worm Moon
      (Jane Wieman, Texas)

      • Thanks, H, for posting this for hand writing Jane! I will do another Inbox soon and this is the one I’d choose of Jane’s recent three. Kitt Stephenson has just visited her in Houston, apparently, and she seemed to be herself. More when I see you…

  9. joker’s moon
    always laughing
    to keep from crying

    skim milk
    what the cat’s don’t know
    won’t hurt them

  10. (From Kamome)

    Again and again
    From inside the fuchsia bush,
    A young dunnock (1) calls.

    Model shop closing (2) –
    In the vacated window
    Batman stands alone.

    (1) hedge sparrow – its call is ‘Seep, seep’.
    (2) ‘Modelzone’ is a chain of stores now in administration. Another familiar high-street name gone.

    Thanks in advance,
    Kamome

    • Neelam,
      Hisashi Miyazaki has just chosen this haiku to post in the latest ‘from the Icebox inbox’ on the top page. Although 5-7-5 in structure, the omission of the definite article in the first line was unnatural, so we have inserted it. Likewise, plural subject in the 2nd line requires the cutting of ‘-es’. It might not be a bad idea to cut ‘with a’ from the last line, too (with your permission), leaving a clear break between the 2nd and 3rd lines?
      We would both like to know what exactly you meant by ‘cotton balls’ (perhaps the rain falling on your cheeks felt like the little pads of cotton used by women to remove make-up?). I am guessing! Whatever, it is both sensual and mysterious. Thanks!

      • I also agree with Tito to remove ‘with’ of the third line, which makes the poem a complete haiku by juxtaposition. I think that the cotton ball is a cotton aphid (an insect), a winter-kigo.

    • OK. Have removed ‘with’ as agreed. But what are the ‘cotton balls’? You never explained. Thanks for the new submission.

    • Michael, thanks, as ever, for your nice contributions. Gerald has posted the 2nd … and the autumn wind one from a fortnight later

    • gerald has posted this. thanks. please tell us your family name as there are several other haiku martins we know!

    • Thanks, Martin. Gerald chose this haiku for the latest ‘inbox’ posting. Can we have your family name, please, as there may be confusion with Martin Lucas, mentioned in posts last month

  21. Low lying mauve clouds
    glow, higher, white and pale grey
    Gold glimpse of rising sun
    (The sunrise on New Year’s Day/初日の出, Jane Wieman)

    No bird in sight –
    On the snow drifted balcony
    Proof of their passing (Jane Wieman)

  22. fresh spring dew
    after the first date
    parting ways

    a field of tulips
    taking a tumble
    a rainbow

    Not annoymous post. Previous post did not log in properly.

    • Japanese cultural topic… I wonder if “weave” is the most meaningful verb for this poem?

      • Thanks for your input, Gerald. I was trying to keep it simple. The only other thing I can come up with, which might insert more meaning:

        ikebana –
        hands gather
        the silence

        Best,
        Theresa C.

  28. Hello, I would like to become a contributor to icebox. Here is a haiku
    Spiced egg plant
    Fragrant Indian bread
    Washed down with mango-panna

    *
    Summer rain
    Paper boats
    Bobbing up and down

    • Thanks, Payal, for the haiku. As to becoming a contributor, we always require a fairly long period of input (submissions and comments) first before the eds. consider inviting someone to join us as a regular contributor and allowing him to post directly to the top page. The contributors are mainly those who reside, or have resided, in Kansai (CW Japan) and have already contributed to the Hailstone Haiku Circle. Nothing is impossible, though, so we look forward to getting to know you a bit better in this way.

  29. Thanks for the reply. I have noted your advice and keeping in mind, I’m posting 3 haiku.

    Roaring clouds
    Lashing rain
    Swimming spiders

    Winter morning
    Butterfly
    Frozen on a leaf

    Heavy downpour
    Zara heels
    Ruined

    • Contrast and subtle surprise in the second poem. I wonder if this poem could be a two line poem, or a one line poem?

  30. Hello, Gerald. Thanks for the feedback. On playing around with the words, I realised that the second poem could have a two line structure. So, here goes :

    Winter morning, butterfly
    Frozen on a leaf

    2 new haiku for posting

    Strong Cuban coffee
    Reading erotica
    Late winter evening

    Walk-in closet
    Kaleidoscope of colours and textures
    Napping mouse

  31. Its shrouds removed
    the fountain stands ornate
    When will water flow?
    (Jane Weman)

  32. Hello, Gerald. Thanks for choosing my haiku for the latest lcebox inbox 32.

    2 new haiku:

    Snow mountains
    Poking
    Cloud line

    Desert plains
    Galloping horses
    Last rays of sun

  34. cherry blooms
    teasing each other
    in spring breeze

    white snow drifts
    from black sky
    blanketing my face

  35. the setting sun’s rays
    on a carousel horse –
    unicorn ride

    a puddle of blood
    after the impact –
    yellow flowers watch

  36. the pause
    he takes on his flute –
    spring rain

    **
    narrow road
    the clash of umbrellas
    as we near the Buddha

    **

  37. rock to rock
    leaping in blue water
    an emerald frog

    hawling wind
    the baby bucket
    give me a tattoo

  38. lying together
    after the spring thunderstorm
    blossom and hailstones

    long tailed tits
    gathering in the hawthorn
    first flurries of snow

  39. From Jane Wieman in Madison (6 July ’14):

    Lightning flickers
    almost out of sight
    hidden by the trees

    Thunder in the distance
    (or as might be late fireworks)
    Time for bed

  41. Dear Editor,

    Here is one haibun, I am submitting. Thanks.

    Linking to Nature at P.N. Botanical Garden

    Changing environment has its impact and many Indian states including Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi and Haryana are witnessing hot waves still in August while the monsoon commences well by the end of July.

    With a little cool weather, the only favourable thing was to go for a garden walk. P. N. Botanical Garden is situated in Sector – 14, Punjab University, Chandigarh where one can find arboretum, bambusetum, cactus house, fern house, growth room, lily pools, orchid house and plametum. Ms. Neelam Dadhwal, a haiku poet from Chandigarh visited the garden recently.

    Despite warming levels, there was dense moss beneath the specific zones of bamboo, pines and palms. The grass in wide and far was covered with common goldstar that choosing the natural pathways was not an option. Certainly one can find seasoned woods with lichen, ant holes with leaves, and above branches from stoic stems of one tree expanding to the other.

    Lit with seasonal flowers like verbena, cassia, cape jasmine, snapdragons, gomphrenas, and zinnia, it became easy to leave the world’s troubles behind and rejuvenate as the nature brings life and vigour too.

    There was absence of snails, earthworms and birds like kingfisher in and by the lily ponds where the lotuses were spread and vibrated their scent, definitely soothing the nerves and a perfect place to pen haiku.

    between you and me
    this nod…
    snapdragon

  42. The Moon
    riding down toward the Western horizon
    a bright cradle
    for the deepening night

    Here by the pool
    where no one swims
    voices of cicadas
    rise

    Firefly twilight
    one…, two…, three…, even four…
    in the courtyard
    after Ping-Pong

    (Jane Wieman, in Madison)

  45. summer ends
    counting cicada calls
    on one hand

    endless heat
    some rainbow sherbet
    after the rain

    army ants
    across a killing field
    of clover

  47. Hi ! Days are getting shorter, slowly
    making space for more Haiku season…Thank you for the wonderful variety here…

    this November sky–
    the brush stroke explodes into
    the watercolour puddles

    sometimes a ray
    sometimes a frown –
    the moment freezes

    mists gather as
    pearls on the window –
    birdsongs slow down

  50. fall colors
    an inner city
    in blues and reds

    autumn winds
    the deep sigh in
    a glass of sherry

    camellia blooms
    how is it
    we’ve come this far

    first frost
    the scarecrow guards
    a fallow field

    harvest moon
    a line stars to form
    at he food bank

  52. early morning
    uneven feet zig-zag
    along the icefield
    ***
    mid afternoon
    snow sliding off
    dark limbs…
    ***
    winter night
    fragrance of saffron
    permeates the kitchen
    ***

  53. morning mists carry
    messages from afar —
    Thanksgiving feast

    loners gather dew —
    the empty highway waits
    in silent docility…

    black friday —
    the back garden recovers
    from belated hangover…

    ***********************

  56. A tanka received via snail-mail from Jane Wieman in Madison, WI:

    true “sky blue”
    beyond bare branches …
    the scrape, scrape, scrape
    of a shovel
    clearing away snow

  57. Keith A. SIMMONDS
    Rodez, FRANCE

    grey clouds
    cover the tiny village…
    trickling snowflakes

    distant clouds
    loiter in the deep snow…
    frozen footsteps

    serenity
    in the silent bourg…
    glistening snow

  59. fauna and flora breathe
    after a snow shower —
    bold ink strokes

    a treasure hunt —
    cautiously eating a slice
    of the French king’s cake*

    a king or a queen —
    after the cheer and bubbles
    the gloomy sky of winter

    *referring to the Galette des Rois, a custom of eating an almond-filled pastry to celebrate Epiphany, wherein is hidden a porcelain figurine and the person having it( mostly enjoyed by kids) is supposed to wear a golden paper crown – symbolical of royalty….

  61. blue sky-
    her raven hair float
    in red sea
    ***
    through open window
    full moon bath
    young lovers’ with silver
    come morning, they are
    bathed in red…

  63. rainbow looms —
    houses soak in muddy waters
    up to their waists …

    Independence Day —
    thunderstorms open the sky
    with odd fireworks …

  64. denim sky
    a seagull zipping
    by the window will
    ***

    temple yard
    a devotee chasing pigeons
    summer afternoon

  65. .
    fleeting rain
    the scarecrow ducks
    into a doorway
    .
    stumbling cosplayer
    she finds her Klingon
    comes to the rescue
    .
    Vincente Minnelli
    a girl’s costume flickers
    Till the Clouds Roll By
    .
    Alan Summers
    .

  68. zoo visit…
    after the downpour
    a rainbow of macaws

    impossible to write
    the lyrics to your song
    skylark

    night train
    the stranger and I
    aynchronise watches

    first snowflakes
    how gently you settle
    on my mind

    overnight rain…
    the sound of trees
    drip-drying

  71. kissed by midnight lamp her right shoulder
    ***

    again and again
    tempted to steal an orange
    flawless blue morning
    ***

    spring morning
    how i fiddle with piano keys
    missing her caress

  76. Trees are finally beginning to leaf out,
    And fruit trees are in bloom
    Almost time for the first butterflies
    And a migrating bird perched
    on the nearby balcony railing

    On this sunbright day
    The trees still bare
    The grass green but old
    Only birds in motion

    Waiting for summer
    The ice and snow are melted
    But tempestuous storms wreak havoc
    And I pine alone

    (Jane Wieman, Madison, Wisconsin）