Revisiting Padua – Sijo – April 10, 2020

past discarded farm instruments
I went wandering one day–
attracted to bright autumn colours
when I soon  became aware –
that  long dark wintry shadows
were menacingly all around me.

gsk ’20

You can find out what type of poem this is in Mindlovesmisery’s Menagerie .. Glassary under Sijo

Wordless Wednesday – March 23, 2016

Morning Haiku as I Travel – March 22, 2016

spring morning
sparrows fly madly at dawn
’round the cat-woman

annoying fly
buzzing  on the glass window
trapped in winter

as the train flies by
dust raises in the still air
settling in ennui

Imagination
medieval flags flying
in Padua’s squares

© G.s.k. ‘16

Haiku Horizons – fly

Morning Waka and Haiku – November 16, 2015

Mori (TN)

here in Padua
morning sounds reverberate
with my heartbeat
preparing to return home
a gull passes overhead

saying adieu
the sun rises in the fog
coffee pot bubbles
persimmon tree full of birds
just Brynn and I watch them

like the Silk Road
beckoning to the traveller
it’s time to leave
returning home from the east
the mountains call to me

© G.s.k. ‘15

Carpe Diem Haiku Kai

Autumn Rain – Waka – November 14, 2015

in the dawn
rain runs down the window panes
blurring autumn leaves

a train whistle blows
ripping through the dawn silence
autumn fog billows
no sunshine in Padua
only dripping foggy skies

© G.s.k. ‘15

Heeding Haiku with Chevrefeuille – Nov. 12, 2015 – Autumn Rain

Six Word Saturday – One Bun – October 24, 2015

Afternoon  walk  – autumn reflections in Padua …

shimmering city
inside the canal at noon
Padua blooms
walking with my family
our son’s graduation

© G.s.k. ‘15

Jujube Tree – Haiku – October 23, 2015

jujube tree

sweet illusions
jujube fruit in the night light
no paper fans

© G.s.k. ‘15

Carpe Diem #841

At Dawn in Padua – Haibun – October 23, 2015

birds at dawn

Yesterday at dawn in Padua, a squawking concert created by the voices of hundreds of migrant birds greeted me. I marvelled as a group fell upon the persimmon tree in the garden, blackening it for a moment, until I moved – causing them to fly away.  The cat sat at the window – her puffed up tail swishing furiously. The tea was bitter this morning.

just passing through
migrant birds like falling stars
travelling light

© G.s.k. ‘15

Carpe Diem Special #176: “create a haibun with a maximum of 75 words (including the haiku)”

Hello folks … I’m back from Padua and hope to visit you all soon!  Bastet

The Night Before – Haibun – October 21, 2015

Here in Padua, the traffic is like a distant rumbling river filling the night, a train passes close by, sounding like thunder with its ta-tum ta-tum crashing sound that shakes the house. Sitting in this night shrouded garden I enjoy a moment’s respite from the heady tension inside the house preparatory for my son’s discussion of his thesis tomorrow. The moon is half-grown, a night-bird sings out. I’d never heard this bird before – how odd that I should hear it now. From the house the raucous laughter of the vigil seeps through the closed-door, smiling, I leave this quiet moment re-entering the light filled room.

life’s passages
baby, youth then a man
a night bird’s song

© G.s.k. ‘15

I wrote this haibun last night. My son, Francesco was on pins and needles awaiting the important moment which is to mark the second phase of his college career, presenting his thesis for his Master of Arts Degree in History.  He had already obtained his Bachelor’s Degree Cum Laude.  Today at 12:00 I’m proud to say, obtained his Master of Arts Degree in History, again with honours.

Linked to

Heeding Haiku with Chèvrefeuille

Morning Haiku and Waka – October 20, 2015

bags sitting ready
tickets in my handbag
my journey
to hail a history master
with humble maternal pride

this indifferent world
who’s history is like snow flakes
once fallen melt
men, drunk on today’s new wine
the sublime never tasted

© G.s.k. ‘15