Geisha

Gold cherry
Poem of the week

By marandina

Wed, 10 May 2023
  • 2864 reads
32 comments
 

Geisha

Where black rain once fell

from laden Eastern skies,

ichor now seeps at sunrise

onto white mountain tops.

 

In a land of bamboo walls,

sliding doors, silent hearts,

her quiet alabaster beauty,

a face of painted porcelain.

 

From the House of Okiya,

she walks among blooms,

smile schooled in enigma,

a union only of arcane Art.

 

Prescient like the lotus,

we breathe in symmetry,

tea served with decorum,

this Paradise of Pagodas.

 

Butterflies on Mount Fuji,

cherry blossom in Kyoto,

lost sunsets of Hiroshima,

neon dreams of the Orient.

 

We bow for one, final time,

hands held in supplication,

our sepia past now coloured,

Tokyo tale told in tranquillity.

 

 

Image free to use at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_blossom#/media/File:Sakura_and_Moss...(%E3%81%95%E3%81%8F%E3%82%89)%E3%81%A8%E8%8A%9D%E6%A1%9C(%E3%81%97%E3%81%B0%E3%81%96%E3%81%8F%E3%82%89).jpg

Certificate PG
Poem
Miscellaneous Poems
Spiritual

Comments

Submitted by lenchenelf on

... are presented as painted automaton by folk who never write of their lived truth, only what men want to see?

"smile schooled in enigma"  

Key line, in a thoughtful piece; good stuff Paul

Best, Lena xx

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Lena. There is a lot of misconception about Geisha. They aren't supposed to be touched and, of the 1,000 or so left in Japan, they are revered. I guess this was reflecting on that bridge to a past that's fading. Take care. Paul x 

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Excellent work, Paul. Editors make note: this stylish poem deserves a golden cherry.

Cheers, Luigi

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Luigi. That's kind of you to say. Very best. Paul

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for the cherries, ABC Eds. Much appreciated. Paul 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

'reflecting a bridge to a past' - it's a fascinating country isn't it? I really enjoyed this, thank you for posting it!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, insert. Japan truly is a wonder. I am currently working my way through a series of screen short stories called "Midnight Diner: Tokyo Stories." on Netflix. It's just wonderful :) 

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Is this based on a holiday experience? Even in this country, I feel lost when someone doesn't have the facial expressions I am used to, and feel able to read. In another country, the language barrier hinders understanding, and cultural experience differences, and sometimes the body language unreadablity, make contact and understanding and getting acquainted so much slower. Rhiannnon

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Rhiannon. This is an adaptation of a 21-word poem I wrote a couple of weeks ago. I posted that version on Twitter. 

Japan is top of my bucket list along with Australia. I haven't made it to either yet. Maybe one day! 

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Paul,

some evocative language described in your poem, of a revered land and its people, that is stunningly beautiful and mysterious. I especially loved stanzas three, four and five.

Thank you for sharing.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Ah thanks for reading, Jenny. Always lovely to hear from you. Glad you liked it. Your kind words are much appreciated. Paul 

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

This lovely poem is Pick of the Day! Please do share and retweet if you can

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you, so much Di. Genuinely thrilled! Much appreciated. Paul :) 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Congratulations Marandina!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thank you! 

 

Submitted by celticman on

we breathe in symmetry and breathe out poetry. 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, CM. [Have the title winning celebrations finally finished now? Rangers again, shortly!] 

 

Submitted by celticman on

aye, every game a must win, even when it isnae. is. 

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

I found this very calming to read. A eulogy of restraint combined with ritual and luminous beauty.

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Jane. Glad you liked it :) 

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

I enjoyed the poem. It paints pictures of Japan for me which means it has worked! I am not sure I will ever fully appreciate what it might be to be Geisha, certainly mysterious like so much about Japan, and also beautiful! But this certainly paints a picture of both!

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, David. Glad it captured the essence of Geisha as well Japan. Both equally beguiling. Paul 

 

Submitted by David Kirtley on

Some great descriptions there: I particularly liked, and felt saddened by 'lost sunsets of Hiroshima'!

Also 'neon dreams of the Orient' , which somehow seems to sum up the present days perfectly!

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks again, David :)

 

Submitted by onemorething on

This is our Poem of the Week! Congratulations! 

 

Submitted by marandina on

Oh thank you, so much Rachel . That's absolutely made my weekend! Thanks again. Paul :) 

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

congratulations again Marandina - very well deserved!

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks again, insert :) 

 

Submitted by hudsonmoon on

'Tokyo tale told in tranquillity' had such a calming effect by the time I reached that wondrful last line. Just wonderful, Paul.

Rich

 

Submitted by marandina on

Thanks for reading, Rich. That's kind of you to say. Keep well and meet you for a beer at Ned's one day :) Paul 

 

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