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Lotus Moon
by Mary Frances Spencerdelicate and sweet
calligraphy whispers
from golden scrolls
and softly curved pottery
a glowing teapot
circled by empty cups
young children passed on
before her
but Lotus Moon
soothed sadness
with a calm gentle art
a tranquil legacy
unrolling verse and visual
tactile simplicity
vessels open
to receive
her flowing
tears 04/17/2008 Author's Note: As a participant of "Poets on Site", I visited the Pacific Asia museum today and was inspired to write this about Otagaki Rengetsu. She is best known as a famous Japanese poet, and was also a calligrapher, potter, and painter. She was born in 1791 into a samurai family with the surname Todo, but was soon adopted by the Otagaki family and given the name Nobu. Having lost her mother and brother at a young age, she served as lady-in-waiting at Kameoka Castle (in present-day Kyoto Prefecture) from the age of 7, until she returned home at the age of 16 to marry. In 1823, after the death of her husband and three young children, she became a Buddhist nun, adopting the name Rengetsu, which means "Lotus Moon". MFS
Posted on 04/18/2008
Copyright © 2024 Mary Frances Spencer
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 04/18/08 at 03:05 PM ...mFs, by the time i read the Lotus Blossom line i had chill-bumps, lady this was so filled w/ the visuals of Lotus and those chi'ren...a wonderful feeling pome and i haven't gotten to your word-pictures, you know! charlie |
| Posted by Charlie Morgan on 04/18/08 at 03:08 PM maybe a gnome came in and changed Lotus Moon to Lotus Blossom, i've had weirder things occur...one time, i remember or think i remember, mmmaybe i remembered that i forgot and had to re-remember it, well, i so apologize to tear up mylady Moon w/ the misnomer blossom...forgive an acient charlie |
| Posted by Bruce W Niedt on 04/19/08 at 03:53 AM Beautiful imagery for a heartfelt tribute - well-done.... d:-) |
| Posted by Rhiannon Jones on 04/21/08 at 01:37 AM i could not resist a poem with this title. Even without the background story, the poem has a lovely warm swirling delicacy all its own. |
| Posted by Jean Mollett on 04/21/08 at 04:50 AM Hi Mary Frances,
It's beautiful, yet kinda sad too. I know that museum had to be very interesting, I like them too. I haven't seen any like that. :) |
| Posted by Alisa Js on 04/21/08 at 07:54 AM Beautifully done and well written. Thank you for sharing your talent with us out here.. aloha..;-) |
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