Sky and earth

Sky and earth search
for likeness in each other.

The blue sky sees itself 
in the vast sea;
the roaming clouds appear
to be fish in the deep green,
which reminds them that 
they are born twins,
separated by God to do their unique
duty in the opposite world.

Sometimes, lilac clouds in the sky
meet the horizon and cheer 
the gloom on the earth.

In the swirl of darkness and light
in each other, we learn to capture 
the wisdom to discern the difference
between beauty and ugliness. 

©Byung A. Fallgren

This Old Lilac

You've grown like the old lady.
She began you from a sapling,
one spring long ago.
Now, you think you are done,
despite the many branches.
the gnarled arms, dried, some broken
by the wicked wind.
A few signs of new life at the root;
eager to renew; with bout you doubt.

Now and then you remember the days
you were a robust beauty, pink blossoms
with a sea of aromas.

One thing you don't like even then--
the big orange butterfly and her caterpillars
that devour the leaves until they 
withered and died.
the summer days hooligans.
 
Despite all that, you always sprang green in spring
and bloom, scent the air in the whole neighborhood
like a soul for the world.

You long to do so in the upcoming season.
And then at the end of spring,
you weep, defenseless against the invaders.
But worry not. your mama is watching over you.
She is armed with pepper spray.

The butterfly has a sharp sense of
its power, which surely burns the lips
of the caterpillars. Isn't that great?
You and I still have many springs to come,
as Mother Nature smiles upon us.

©Byung A. Fallgren

Resilience

Despite the caterpillars
devour the leaves
the tree
bounces green
every spring

©Byung A. Fallgren

The Brief Visitor (Gogyohka)

On a warm day
in January,
a stray snowflake
lands on a lilac branch;
the eternal shadow.

©Byung A. Fallgren