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Open Poetry #37
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Midnitesun
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Gaia

0 posted 2006-03-08 09:27 PM



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
on cherry blossom dance 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 a surge of 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.

© Copyright 2006 Kathleen Kacy Stafford - All Rights Reserved
vlraynes
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-07-25
Posts 8229
Somewhere... out there...
1 posted 2006-03-08 10:21 PM



"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 a surge of joy and renewal
as I sighed and bowed in honor
to the ancestors of the Rising Sun."


This is beautiful, Kacy...

I could use some rain about now...
and that double rainbow too...
though I'd settle for a single one...

Thank you for sharing this, my friend...

"When the power of love overcomes the love
of power the world will know peace."
--Jimi Hendrix

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
2 posted 2006-03-08 10:29 PM


"Thus did I learn a new truth...

the ancients will always be with us,
and newly departed souls
will never dance alone."

No they won't dance alone dear Kacy..
This really liked me tonight...thank you.
Hugs~Nancy

~ Trace my body with your words,
  in doing so, you touch my heart ~

Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
3 posted 2006-03-08 10:31 PM



From line one
I felt a chilling shiver

then as I read on,
a welcome warmth

as if being embraced
with silent knowledge...

accepting

all that is,
as should be,
as ever was,

when cherry blossoms dance.

Kacy,

you don't mind,
I'm sure,
that I library this one

as a

?

" It matters not this distance now  " Excerpt, Yesterday's Love
~*~
KRJ

Midnitesun
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Gaia
4 posted 2006-03-08 10:36 PM


thank you, Karilea it's an honor for me to know you liked it enough to save it
thanks Vicky and Nancy, for dancing here with me

The Lady
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634
The Southwest
5 posted 2006-03-08 10:48 PM




"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."

Oh Kacy! How lovely. It sways and glows so beautifully.


Midnitesun
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Gaia
6 posted 2006-03-09 01:13 AM


thank you, m'Lady, for spending a moment here,
dancing within the cherry blossom memories

icebox
Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383
in the shadows
7 posted 2006-03-09 12:08 PM


budding blossoms pray
for ice goddess indulgence
each dreams perfection

Earth Angel
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since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
8 posted 2006-03-09 01:10 PM


...Saved faster than you can say "cherry blossoms". You are such a fine writer ~ and spirit!

This poem is very special to me for several reasons ~and on many levels. Thank you!


Linda

Skyfire
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Riding
9 posted 2006-03-09 03:08 PM


Kacy, this is beautiful
Marge Tindal
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Florida's Foreverly Shores
10 posted 2006-03-09 08:40 PM


Kacy~
There is quiet beauty here ...

'I danced the odori
with many other souls,
stepping carefully along lines
in concentric circles'


... oh my ... how I enjoyed the all of this Spiritual offering~

*Huglets*
~*Marge*~

~*The sound of a kiss is not as strong as that of a cannon, but it's echo endures much longer*~
Email -   noles1@totcon.com

Midnitesun
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since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
11 posted 2006-03-09 10:04 PM


I am delighted that each of you has found something to enjoy from this write. It was a memorable moment for myself and my daughter, who is half Japanese. We both felt a strong  spiritual and emotional connection, a bond with the past and the present that would be carried with her forever, that we hadn't felt at previous Odori festivals. We danced with many others in an overlapping circle dance to honor all departed souls, souls that would remain forever a part of her heritage.
It wasn't until the following week that I got the news that my daughter's Japanese grandfather (G'chan) had seen his final sunset, not long before the festival.  

Martie
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since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
12 posted 2006-03-12 05:07 PM


Kacy

How lovely to be a part of such a meaningful ceremony with your daughter.  Thank you for sharing this time in your life.  

latearrival
Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499
Florida
13 posted 2006-03-12 05:31 PM



the ancients will always be with us,
"and newly departed souls
will never dance alone."
............................................
I loved this poem. All of it is just beautiful. As the lady I introduced to my brother and was his lady for the past three years is Japanese I especially love this poem. I hope you do not mind that I sent it to her. We will mourn my brother together when he is gone, a matter of time now, with this  verse in mind.  thank you, martyjo

Magnus
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South Carolina, USA
14 posted 2006-03-12 06:32 PM


I will never forget the Bon Odori festival.
How pretty the cherry trees were when in
bloom...and oh my,  the giant prawns that
they fried up...not to mention the Saki in
small square wooden cups....ummmmm, I seem
to be on a foodwave tonite...

Well Done Kacy.

Midnitesun
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
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since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647
Gaia
15 posted 2006-03-12 10:16 PM


savoring each reply
martyjo, heart hugs to you, the lady, and your brother.

the grey
Member
since 2006-01-06
Posts 119
Queensland, Australia.
16 posted 2006-03-13 06:31 PM


G'day Kacy.  That must of been a magical moment for both you and your daughter and you penned it so well and had us there with you.  Sharing and keeping alive old traditions is so precious.


Merv  

cinnabar
Junior Member
since 2006-03-10
Posts 33
Lot et Garonne, France.
17 posted 2006-03-13 07:35 PM


Beautiful. I read it again and again. Thank you. Michael.
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