Carpe Diem Tan Renga Wednesday: Departing Autumn

Image by Thanks for your Like • donations welcome from Pixabay

a clam

torn from its shell

departing autumn

cold stabs the soul like a knife

I retreat inside my shell

~Basho & Cie~

Notes:

The Hokku stanza of this Tan Renga was created by Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694). The Ageku (two-line) stanza was written by me.

Real Cie Reviews: The Biblical Clock

Genre: 

Religious History/Religious Studies/Judaism

Rating: 

Four out of Four Stars for Online Book Club

Five out of Five Stars for Amazon

Disclosure:

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes.

If readers purchase the book through the above link, I earn a small commission from Amazon.

This post is a duplicate of my review on Amazon.

This intense, scholarly volume offers well-researched theories for resolving the discrepancies between the scientific timeline of the Cosmos and Biblical literalism which postulates that the Earth is only a few thousand years old. Reading the book as an agnostic who became disillusioned by Christianity (or, more accurately, by those who call themselves "Christians" while being mean-spirited and judgmental) when I was in my late teens, I at first thought I would be entertained and nothing more. However, this book offers rich selections of studies from Jewish scholars, presents fascinating moments in Jewish history, and explores the Holy Kabbalah, which, in simple terms, is a map for understanding the Cosmos.

While the book did not return me to my former status as a believer, I nonetheless feel that it was a very worthwhile read and would recommend it to anyone interested in religious and metaphysical theory or the study of Judaism.

~Cie~

OctPoWriMo 2019: Day 14: Enraged Earth (Choka)

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

the giver of life

will no longer sustain us

if we continue

to destroy all of nature

she will not nurture

but will lash out in fury

~Cie~

Jon Kabat Zinn - PhD

Carpe Diem Renga with Issa: Sparrows

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spring peace--

after rain, a gang war

garden sparrows

the seeds that I have planted

are a victory buffet

don't let the plum blossom guard

cut your tongues...

Sparrows! 

let voices be a whisper

until you are safely past

are the sparrows too

having a private party?

plum blossoms

no, I was not invited

I now watch from the window

while I watch

he's off to make a living alone...

baby sparrow

sometimes the ones who leave home
invite the parents to stay

living in harmony--

the sparrow has

both parents!
will the parents be able
to live in harmony too?

on the tip of the

newly sprouted bamboo...

a baby sparrow
a small and innocent thing
in a world without a heart

~Issa and Cie~

Notes:

The Hokku stanzas in these Tan Renga verses were composed by Kobayashi Issa (June 15, 1763 – January 5, 1828). The Akegu stanzas were written by me.

The Akegu in the last three verses are references to my son, without whose kindness I would be homeless. The property he bought will eventually also become home to his father who is currently living in Arizona helping his own father. When his father passes, he will sell the place in Arizona and move here.

We were divorced in 1994 when our son was four years old, and we have lived in roommate situations since then, although I was always relieved when he moved on to something else if I am honest. That probably won't happen this time, due to compromises in his health as well as mine. However, this is a big enough place that we should be able to keep from killing each other.

Carpe Diem #1760: Tan Renga: Butterfly

Butterfly on Honeysuckle

on the Honeysuckle

the fragile wings of a butterfly

a fluttering sound

it's become too cold for you

your children emerge in spring

~Chèvrefeuille & Cie~

Notes:

The Hokku stanza was created by Chèvrefeuille. The Ageku stanza was created by me.

Carpe Diem #1759: Grasshopper

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oh grasshopper green

grasshoppers brown and yellow

your season is past

~Cie~