Celebrating Japan A Japanese Quatrain

Celebrating Japan ~Full Moon Rising

Sparkling water, cascades from the fountain

White ginger blossoms gesture in night air

Copper pennies reflect on the bottom

A penny for your thoughts, my lovely dear

Tangerine speckled Koi move up and down

Bobbing among tall Japanese grasses

Great egrets search for food once lost now found

Springtime’s breeze ruffles through wavy tresses

On the grassy slope men play the taiko

Colorful dancers join festivities

Scarlet lanterns sway in music’s echo

Floral kimonos waving lazily

Evening sings a moonlight serenade

Garden fresh scents engulfed in lullabies

Another precious day begins to fade

Meditative enlightenment bring sighs

Maryann Corrigan © Copyright 2009

Japanese Quatrain/Shichigon-zekku format 10 meter abab rhyme

Artwork by Maryann Corrigan Title;Bleu /Acrylic painting on canvas 2008(c)

Poetry Please single word challenge Penny

Third Place Winner !!:) Thanks Poetry Please...

*Shichigon-zekku (七言絶句) is the Japanese term for a poetry verse form (often of Chinese origin) consisting of four phrases each seven Chinese character (kanji - 漢字) in length.

Shichigon-zekku are the most common form of classical Chinese poems (kanshi - 漢詩), and the standard form of shigin (Japanese chanted poetry).



In composing Shichigon-zekku, the character of the phrases (zekku) is important.
The rule is as follows:



* First phrase (kiku - 起句): Depiction of the scene

* Second phrase (shoku - 承句): Add further illustration and detail to the kiku

* Third phrase (tenku - 転句): By changing the scene of action, reveal the true essence of the poem

* Fourth phrase (kekku - 結句): In assimilating the tenku draw together and complete the poem



The Japanese terms mean literally: bringing into being; understanding; changing and drawing together.