In ancient Japanese, Chinese and Korean cultures, a practice was used at the time of death to capture the last words spoken. This practice was called jisei (in Japan) or death poem
Written below are my entries for DVersePoets’ most recent prompt. Written By Grace from Bodhirose’s Blog, the challenge is to write a haiku or tanka in the theme of Jisei. Check out her fantastic post about them on the DVerse Poet’s Pub here!
——————–
Jisei – A Tanka
You can fall further
than your heart would have believed
into your own mind.
It eats you alive this thing,
mind, body and soul, all gone.
Jesei – A Haiku
In part it’s for you,
all these words scattered around,
they will outlast me.
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Published by Carol J Forrester
Carol J Forrester is a writer and a history geek. Her debut collection 'It's All In The Blood' came out November 2019.
She has a 2:1 BA degree in history from Bath Spa University, enjoys judo at least twice a week, and tries to attend poetry events around the Midlands when she can.
Her flash fiction story ‘Glorious Silence’ was named as River Ram Press’ short story of the month for August 2014 and her short story ‘A Visit From The Fortune Teller’ has been showcased on the literary site Ink Pantry. Her poems ‘Sunsets’ and ‘Clear Out‘ were featured on Eyes Plus Words, and two of her poems were included in the DVerse Poets Pub Publication ‘Chiaroscuro’ which is available for purchase on amazon.Her poem ‘Until The Light Gets In‘ was accepted and published at The Drabble and her poem ‘Newborn’ was published by Ink Sweat & Tears.
She has been lucky enough to write guest posts for sites such as Inky Tavern and Song of The Forlorn and has hosted a number of guest bloggers on her site Writing and Works.
View all posts by Carol J Forrester
The greatest REAL Thrill
of Losing heArt..
spiRit and soUl
in Life
is never
ever fearing
Life again..
once the
REAL PHOENIX
THE REAL REBORN
THE REAL HUMAN
RESURRECTION
THE CRUX OF WHAT
similarly AFFECTED FOLKS
have been trying to metaphor
for
several
thousand
years..
LITERALLY
IMPOSSIBLE
FOR FOLKS WHO
HAVE NOT BEEN
TO THIS DEATH
IN LIFE
TO UNDERSTAND
WHAT RESURRECTION
TRULY
means
or Life
at ALL..
Missing
Leaves
of Meadows
Green
fall
missing
Incomplete..:)
Always interesting to hear your response. 🙂
I love your haiku! What a legacy our words leave. I once estimated all the words on my blog, which will likely still be here when I die, and I was quite astounded. Peace, Linda
Thank you Linda. I find it amazing how much personal history these blogs will preserve.
Your tanka has a powerful and decisive feel to it which I really like and your haiku makes me wonder how many words I’ll leave behind… Thanks for joining in with my prompt today.
Gayle ~
Thank you for the wonderful prompt and comment. 🙂
They are both great but the haiku made me really stop and think. Words, sentiments outlast us–including all those we post on our blogs!
It’s lovely to hear that the haiku struck a chord. It seems to have been really popular.
How true on the haiku…words will certainly outlast us ~ Thanks for joining us at D’verse ~
Thank you for hosting. I loved the prompt.
The tanka is bold & the tone is clear without mentioning the dark elephant in the room, but as others have noted, the haiku is killer. The same thing happened with my poem. Nice touch to include what we will leave behind. My grandfather left 300 paintings. Poetry is yet another animal; words might fade & slip by unless a family member or friend preserves them.
Indeed. I always think that one day, hopefully many, many years in the future when I’m gone, that my writing may at least act as a way for future generations to get to know the family members before them.
But 300 paintings sounds amazing. What sort of style did he paint in?
Intense…though I agree with the mood and the words.
Thank you. It’s good to hear that they provoke such a reaction.
Those two are just great, the haiku as true as anything can be..
Thank you, I’m really glad you think so. The haiku was my favourite of the two as well I think, I’ve really grown to love the form.
Nice contrast between the two. I especially loved the haiku, with that wonderful first line ‘in part it’s for you’ – but just in part.
Thank you. The haiku was definitely more personal than the tanka.
The word immortality comes to mind with your haiku…and the tanka is so palpable with real pain felt…so moving both.
I’m really glad you think so.
Both so heartfelt and palpable. .the word immortality comes to mind with what we leave behind.
Thank you. Indeed.
What a lovely haiku, it shines so bright.
Thank you.
The tanka is excellent, the haiku soars. One of my treasures is a small bundle of letters written by my great grandmother to her 7 year old daughter, my grandmother. Celia was slowly dying of TB and she wanted to speak to her daughter when she was not there. there is also a letter to her sister asking for love and care of “my precious Josie”. Indeed, her words are still here and true.
“they will outlast me” it was beautiful in such a sad way…you write beautifully
Thank you very much. It’s lovely to have you commenting on my work and to see you checking out some of my older works. 🙂
I try to catch up on what your works since i don’t come in here everyday
sad but hopeful with words that will outlast you
I’m glad you think so 🙂
I think both of these are terrific!
Thank you so much.