Gazing at Star Fall
Hollow lake catches star fall from
heavens peaks, innumerable still shine
in pregnant emptiness. Gazing and gazing,
how many magpies span such fathomless depths?
Left by the Shore, for Who May Find It
Dragons race along the horizontal fathom,
dusk ascends heavenward. Ten thousand
magpies cluster in August mulberries.
A busy nights work anticipated, perhaps?
Star River, In Copy
Star River looks down on its own
reflection. Magpies gather by the
shore, amidst hopping chatter.
The lovers will meet twice tonight.
Autumn Under the Seventh Moon
Golden cassia’s topple under the seventh
moon, green moss flares in tumbling light.
Magpies have remained silent tonight. Herd boy
and weaver will have to wait, just a little longer.
Western Wind, By the Duckweed Pond
Western billows raise the dusk curtain, ten
thousand stars peek from behind the elemental
veil. Magpie formations seek heavens peaks, the
sparrows content to dance over duckweed carpets.
~~~
Picture one from here: http://www.dejiantang.com/Dejiantang/Articles/Magpies+Dancing+with+Swaying+Willows+.aspx
Picture two from here: http://artist.artmuseum.com.cn/hisArtworkDetail.htm?id=1068
Picture three from here: http://www.chinaonlinemuseum.com/painting-xu-beihong-magpie.php
And some background reading: http://www.taichichuancenter.com/Newsletter/200108WeavingGirl.html
Golden Giraffes Riding Scarlet Flamingos Through The Desert of Forever 
Beautiful.
Thank you for commenting.
I get it everyonce in a while.
10,000 magpies baked in a pie.
Wait no! Those poor little things. Let them live and fly. Let them eat mulberrries and sing with the stars then tumble in the moss and duck weed.
Thank you for the lovely comment.
They are amazing animals. Just love watching them hop around and they are just beautiful flyers. Very intelligent too. Wonderful animals.
Love your brushwork included and these REALLY stood out for me of the collection, “Golden cassia’s topple under the seventh/moon, green moss flares in tumbling light.”
Thank you!
Thank you for commenting.
That line went through a few rewrites, so to see it highlighted is rather nice.
So happy to have brought joy to you in that respect, skyraftwanderer. 🙂
These are lovely. I think I like the one about the chattering magpies and lovers best. Have you read Terry Pratchett’s Carpe Jugulum– he has a funny take on magpies. Not like these which are so picturesque. K.
I haven’t (probably should read it though) but I do find it amazing how many cultures the magpie appears in, and how it varies from from culture to culture. It’s a truely marvellous thing.
And thank you for commenting.
I love these poems and the way you combine the paintings….Oh I just love them too! Wonderful to visit…thankyou!
Thank you for commenting.
The picture selection is always fun to do. 10 minutes soon turns to an hour, and then beyond. It’s become one of my favourite parts of writing these poems.
somehow (the vagaries of electrons) I have missed reading your posts for a few months. I love this ensemble. Not only are the images and words as crisp and delicious as ever, but , like Chinese characters, each one hints that it really also means twenty other things of even more portent!
really like the progression through this with the magpie….lovely imagery as well…i like the star river looking at its reflection as well…
beautiful! I love this line “Golden cassia’s topple under the seventh
moon, green moss flares in tumbling light.”
Beautiful. Loved this line: Dragons race along the horizontal fathom,
dusk ascends heavenward.
flittering, fluttering, down through these lines…lovely!
oh nice…esp. this one made me smile..
Magpies gather by the
shore, amidst hopping chatter.
The lovers will meet twice tonight…. just lovely
God, the imagery in this piece is so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. ❤
this is heavenly beautiful, ‘Autumn Under the Seventh Moon’ should be my favorite; the image of green moss flaring in tumbling light and the anticipation in the following lines just captivates……
beautiful images.. love how each progression was truly its own. wonderful piece!
lovely imagery, I enjoyed it 🙂
Such beautiful writing–for me this line really stood out–
Hollow lake catches star fall from
heavens peaks, innumerable still shine
in pregnant emptiness.
This is gorgeous, I love how you divided it into several little poems. It’s like a story with chapters. The paintings add a lovely effect to the imagery. Great work =)
I love Gazing At Star Fall. Magical words resulting in a beautiful image.
You are an excellent and thought provoking imagist..Love the haiga. Thank you!
so many exquisite images. i was captured from the first couplet pair…
I don’t know what a magpie is. We have mockingbirds. But I think they’re very different. Interesting and enjoyable set of images. Well written.
enjoyed this series very much, beautiful to wander through in your words. ~ Rose
What a lovely collection of little poems. I love the title, and the magpie theme throughout. I think “Gazing at Star Fall” may be my favorite bit.
I found a handwritten copy of Star River outside Liverpool Anglican Cathedral today, on a small piece of paper folded into an origami swan! The chances of it not blowing away, such a creative way to promote your work. Was it actually you who wrote it out and left it there or just someone who enjoys your poetry?
Yeah, it was me. Figured it would be fun to do.
I’m replying now cause I might forget, and your comment has made me impossibly happy and giddy. Thanks so much.
I left some more as well. One somewhere in Liverpool One, and one in the Blue Coat garden. So they’ll be somewhere now.
Again, thanks so much for commenting. Really, you’ve made my day. And weekend. Hell, you’ve set the entire week.
You’re welcome! Thanks for replying so soon i appreciate it, i’ll be looking round for them from now on. Are you from Liverpool?
P.s i’m keeping it framed hahaha, i love it.
Wow, I’ve never had anything framed. It’s really rather humbling.
I’m not from Liverpool (Wigan) but I have a friend who I went to Uni with who lives there, so I visit every once in a while. Hopefully I’ll be back two Saturdays from now, so I’m guessing there will be more then.
And I really should comment at normal times.
Ahhh right, i’ll tell people to look out for them then!
Really glad i found your poetry, thanks again 🙂
Congrats. That’s a wonderful experience. 😀