Last year at Bookplate’s Spring Poetry reading Washington College Professor Robert Day read one of his student’s poems, “Poetry in Japan and Elsewhere” by Tricia Bauer.
This year he will continue that tradition by reading poems by former students William C. Bowie (“Thoughts Toward Gloucester”) and Meredith Davies Hadaway (“Something Blue”).
The reading is this Friday, April 6 at the BookPlate on Cross Street in Chestertown. The public is invited.
Poetry in Japan and Elsewhere
1
A rich father holds
a haiku contest for all
not yet betrothed men.
The best artist will
wed the man’s virgin daughter
the next Saturday.
They try to write words
as delicate as silk screen
to win the dowry:
Smiling, dying tree
holds a fighting yellow kite
by its long white tail.
Welted memory
of my ungracious giving-
the mosquito’s bite.
2
The father reading
haikus, judges these offers
for his daughter’s love:
Do you think of me
as often as dragon flies
perch upon flowers?
I have often herd
willow branches that speak of
your gentle fingers.
“These are didactic
without image or season,”
shouts the mad father.
“Foolish stupid men
where is the tradition that
Issa created?
Peasants amid rice
unaware of poetry
speak in syllables.
“Opium eaters
recited better in stupors.
Show me the others.
3
He goes on reading,
shaking his head until he
sees the right three lines:
The chrysanthemums
trailing gold in the garden
are hidden by sun.
“Spotless, round, clear sound
the solitary meaning
of one sentiment!”
The winner is wise.
The daughter, not beautiful
but richer than most.
The perfect haiku
as single as the full moon
wonders at itself.
Tricia Bauer
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