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Haiku poems composed during the Mountains of Central Japan tour September
2004
In peaceful zazen
Sits the weary traveller
Restful Eiheiji
(voted winner)
Temples of Nara stand tall
Years of wisdom on a watchful world
In age men tramp dusty halls
Through cloud, rain, and wind
The aching climber ambles on
Under Yari's watchful gaze
Mythical Kirin, heavenly body
How much we chase you down alleyways
A hangover our reward
Autumn colours set apart
Maples, bamboo, and mountain ash
Yet hide the shy monkeys of Kamikochi
Chikurin-in Yoshino
Maple leaves dance to typhoon tune
While bathers soak in blissful tub
Neil Phillips
Bear wakes in the morning
Replete in it's yaris den
The pillow is gone
(voted second)
Baths have been taken
Tires limbs are revived
Asahi time is here
Rain in Yoshino
Trees weep in the mountain mist
The typhoon passes
Golden fields of rice
Frogs, splashing herons stalking
Harvest time arrives
Track winding, wheels screeching
Through dense woodlands and deep gorges
The train grinds on
The forest beckons
Screeching in the trees, branches rustle
The monkeys stay still
Neil Perry
Beauty of a butterfly
Like a journey through
Japan Is ended too soon
(Voted third equal)
Hot bath with a view
A quiet time contemplating
The joys of the day
Russ Phillips
Last shared teapot
Six friends
Parting forever
(voted third equal)
Rain on my face
Mount Yari
Lost in a cloud
Sweet, soft rainfall
Lucky in Yoshino
Typhoon somewhere else
Chris Shewen
Scrubbed clean
Sink into hot bubbling water
Suffocating burst out onto cold floor
Water flooding off fields
After rain, sun
Road dries, worm dies
Zazen eyes downcast
Breathing deepens drifting down
Sharp pain on right shoulder
Paula Perry
No sounds in the storm
Break the silence. Insects creep
Along the red carpet
Beautiful light now
The train to Hashimoto
Nearing journey's end
My mind, wandering
Rests on Yuka next to me
The bell brings me back
Umbrella, beret
Chris emerges from the mist
Yarigatake
Sound of the river
Rain falling in Yoshino
Soon I will see you
Bob Heffill