Ransetsu

Sparkling Stars # 13 Ransetsu

the childless woman,

how tender she is

to the dolls!                           © Ransetsu (Tr. Blyth)

challenge goals:

5-7-5 syllables

+ a seasonword (kigo)

+ a cuttingword (kireji, in western mostly interpunction)

+ a moment as short as the sound of a pebble thrown in water

+ interchangable first and third line

+ a deeper meaning 

ultrasound:

ten tiny fingers
reaching out toward the heaven
profusion of tears

~

cats, cats, and more cats
place setting for each feline
childless couple

-

autumn leaves crumble
glorious splendor over
Perseus shines bright

(for TJ)

The Great Bear Constellation

Carpe Diem Time Glass # 10 Great Bear

The great bear
roams the night sky - never setting
or finding rest

Their are many stories about the great bear, but one fact is that this constellation is always in view whether high or low in the sky.  I love the greek myth where Callisto, a virgin huntress falls in love with Zeus, bares his son Arcas, and is turned to a bear by Zeus’ jealous wife Hera.  Later, Callisto sees her son and raises her arms to embrace him.  Fearing for his life Arcas raises his bow to kill her.  Zeus saves her by turning her son into a small bear.  He supposedly grabbed them by the tail and hurtled them into the heavens for their protection.   Hera for her own triumph set them in the celestial hemisphere where they would wander never setting below the horizon.  Other myths link the bear to King Arthur, some say she is Artemis herself.  In China, the seven stars of the big dipper that form the bears back is the celestial home of the Lord on High.  The star Sirius is the heavenly wolf that guards the palace.

heaven’s watchman 
Sirius - guards the bridge
of the gatherer

The Great Bear roams
the celestial heavens
seeking hibernation

jealous gods
light the night sky
with fire and imagination