‘Taps’

 
 
 

Memorial Day—
 
a cemetery sparrow
 
trills “Taps” for the dead.

Grief

 
 
 

even the blackbird
 
who sometimes eats from my plate
 
cannot share my grief

Sneeze

 
 
 

a small girl sneezes
 
and the dragon kite soars up
 
to a greater height

Treasure

 
 
 

elusive treasure—
 
my grandson keeps on digging
 
along the seashore

Paycheck

 
 
 

first paycheck of May—
 
a few bucks earmarked for books
 
and the rest for bills

Tea

 
 
 

boiling spring water
 
for a cup of evening tea—
 
the monk’s hand trembles