my heart stands ajar–
you reach out to me
like a bird opening wings,
like a fish reflecting sky—
we have many questions,
all of them complicated—
they seem
to have no doors, only walls
but here is a ship,
clear sailing between sea and air–
the wind carries us in its wake
who is calling?–
unfolding, we leap
The NaPoWriMo prompt for today was to take a poem in a language you don’t know and make a poem from what it reminds you of in your own language. I chose a Japanese poem, and used the title and the first line, below, to compose my poem. The title in English is “The Sky for Stars”; the poet is Yumi Fuzuki. You can read the poem in English here. I actually did capture some of the aspects of Fuzuki’s composition with my own words
空の合図
ささげるほどの身もなくて、
K. 
Wow. Beautiful words and images.
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an inspiring prompt and you kept the feeling of the original so well – the powdery painterly images are a beautiful bonus to this post
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Thanks Laura.
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You got a beautiful poem for this prompt.
I especially like the second and third stanzas–the Kerfe questions that capture what so much of us are feeling, but then the hopeful feel of the ship.
You watercolor at the end is so gorgeous and serene. I want to be there.
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Thanks Merril. I’d like to be there too. The closest I’ve gotten to Monet.
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You’re welcome, Kerfe.
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One day, somebody is going to provide a book of answers. Keep on asking the questions, though, they’re beautiful enough to stand alone, unresolved.
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Thanks Jane. Each question begets more.
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So the book will never be finished anyway.
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It seems not.
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Wow! To choose a Japanese poem for this challenge I find mighty courageous. I love the art as well.
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Thanks Manja. It’s easier for me to just respond to the forms rather than words. Japanese letters /words are like art to me.
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How lovely, Kerfe.
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I love this challenge for the inspiration but also the sheer amount of new poets I discover! I haven’t been following the prompts, but I’m keeping an eye on them through you. 🙂
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“unfolding we leap” Wow! I love that ending!!
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Thanks!
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