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Open Poetry #27
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Bon Odori
| Open Poetry #27 |
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Bon Odori |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia 
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Beneath the cherry blossom trees and colorful paper lanterns swaying in the evening breeze, I danced the odori with many other souls, stepping carefully along lines in concentric circles with gentle movements in graceful rise and fall, kimonos adorned with storks of gold and rising suns and dragons, while within the temple nearby, bonsai beauties were bending to the will of time. Powerful taiko drumrolls echoed a thunderous demand that the skies release tears from the sacred spirits to replenish the earth and they did just that last night. For even as the dancers danced and the drums filled the night sky with thundering sounds, it began to softly sprinkle and suddenly there appeared a double rainbow in the skies above this joyous Japanese festival, and my heart leapt into the heavens in joy and renewal as I sighed and bowed in honor to the ancestors of the Rising Sun. Thus did I learn a new truth... the ancients will always be with us, and newly departed souls will never dance alone. *** The Obon festival commemorates the annual return of departed ancestors, and is one of the most beautiful of all Japanese festivities. This weekend was the 31st annual Denver Japanese cherry blossom festival, held in Sakura Square, adjacent to the Denver Buddhist temple. My daughter and I joined in the dance, thereby honoring the cultural heritage of all Japanese Americans, and all Buddhists. |
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| © Copyright 2003 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved | |||
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wranx Member Elite
since 2002-06-07
Posts 3689Moved from a shack to a barn |
Awesome poem, awesome gesture. And this....seems my kind of dance. "I danced the odori with many other souls, stepping carefully along lines in concentric circles" Well done! |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thank you, Ed. It is a beautiful sight, and the air is filled with a sense of one-ness. It's hard to describe the emotional moment when you sense there is an element of continuity of spirit that surrounds the entire community of dancers and those who choose to watch from the sidelines. I had to dance. My spiritual soul demanded it. And since my daughter is half Japanese, this is part of her heritage. [This message has been edited by Midnitesun (06-30-2003 01:18 AM).] |
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Jason Lyle Senior Member
since 2003-02-07
Posts 1438With my darkling |
Eastern beauty, in words. wonderful write Kacy, Jason |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Agree with ed a beautiful write and gesture Kacy. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
It must have been a beautiful sight Kacy.. You described it very well... Gave me goosebumps and I wish I could have been there. ~Smiles & Hugs, Nancy~ ~If you haven't heard the sunset, |
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Kahlil Senior Member
since 2003-04-12
Posts 1881 |
the ancients will always be with us, and newly departed souls will never dance alone. this is just beautiful |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
What a picture Midnitesun... in a rising sun....  |
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Wind
since 2002-10-12
Posts 2981 |
I love all that spiritual stuff, and wish I was there, with you lady. Nice poem, as usual/ I said I'm going to buy a gun and start a war, |
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Duncan Member Ascendant
since 2001-08-07
Posts 5455 |
Love Kari's response! This is so cool Kacy, the poem and the adventure ya'll had. One of your descriptive best! I could see the colors twirling in the sun!  |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
learn something new every day...nice write kacy |
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Bonnie j Senior Member
since 2003-06-27
Posts 1588Ohio |
I have been writing about 18 months now and what a wealth of information I have learned from various poetry sites. Thank you for sharing your lovely words of poetry. Bon-bon |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
Thanking all of you, for your replies. Dom arigato, Kacy and Sara |
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catalinamoon
since 2000-06-03
Posts 9543The Shores of Alone |
This sounds like a lovely ritual. You painted it crystal clear. Sandra |
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Ericc Member Elite
since 2003-01-31
Posts 4178 |
Beautiful. Eric |
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Krawdad Member Elite
since 2001-01-03
Posts 2597 |
Would love to have been there! Sounds like a worthy celebration. Thank you for sharing this. Kraw' |
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Magnus
since 2001-10-10
Posts 14135South Carolina, USA |
Kacy, this is beautiful and brought back many memories of when I watched the festival in Japan...a very long time ago... You pictured it well. |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
DOM ARIGATO to each one of you in addition to the spiritual and cultural joys of the day, my daughter and I made some new friendships, and will soon begin additional new activities together that will enhance our lives |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Kacy: I wouldnt expect anything less of you xxoo |
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Mistletoe Angel 
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (smiles) Oh Kacy, I'm so happy to hear you had a great time, sweet friend, I didn't get to go to that though I heard about it, I went to Mother Cabrini Shrine with my guitar and played up on the peak overlooking Gennessee Peak! (kiss on cheek) God Bless You, sweet friend, this truly inspired me, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Kacy, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton Underneath your clothes, there's an endless story |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
...Saved!  A beautiful and magical write... Love & Eternal Light, EA |
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