by phillipw | Oct 13, 2026 | HA, JA, SE
Duality as Unity The purity of peonies is marred In Japanese imagination . . . by Two brothers who opted to disregard The beauty lives had brought them. Duty’s sly Demands for Emperor required them . . . to Commit twinned harikari after loss In battle. Once the...
by phillipw | Oct 10, 2026 | GE, JA, JE, MA, SA
For Jen and Maiko Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem I wore a fake tiara once for both Of them, for students from my past. It was as if I then fulfilled my oath (Unspoken oath). One’s father was aghast...
by phillipw | Oct 8, 2026 | JA, RE
Sacred Sects and Shinto Shrine Because of Grief and Woe Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem Imagine living where a street is lined With temples and with weeping willows, range Of willows and of temples, life...
by phillipw | Aug 26, 2026 | DA, DO, IV, JA, WH, WO
The Orange Grove Behind Our House Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem A grove can take us anywhere. The leaves Shine distances: blood’s pirates that we play Are in the Caribbean*. Vision cleaves Us with...
by phillipw | Apr 7, 2026 | JA, SP, UG, Uncategorized, WA
In Time and Times and Out of Time Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem The white of the camellia is white, As white as white has been for eons long Before a woman or a man had sight To worship it. Pink sits...
by phillipw | Mar 7, 2026 | AR, GR, HE, JA, MA
Love’s Labors Cost Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem I read that Jacqueline took money from Onassis for her clothes as part of her A Look Back at Jackie Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis’s Wedding...
