In the autumn rain
 
a man embraces his son,
 
then sends him to war.

 
 

As the war grinds on,
 
the arms merchants rub their hands—
 
autumn abundance.

 
 

While the war drags on,
 
glimpses of cream-white dahlias
 
hearten the weary.

 
 

Putin’s war goes on,
 
the price at the pump goes up,
 
and plum trees blossom.

 
 
 

If cherry blossoms
 
spread their fragrance in Ukraine,
 
surely war will cease!

 
 
 

Once upon a war,
 
boys’ blood and bones, guts and gore—
 
what was it all for?

War

 
 
 

at the next table
 
a husband and wife at war
 
staring at their phones

Planting

 
 
 

the children of God
 
planting seeds of peace, not war—
 
a fruitful garden