Thank you! I have always found this anime movie and novel very inspiring, and this poem is an extension of that, which is why I used the last line of the famous tanka. Not only is it a tribute to the beautiful tanka that I love dearly, but it really did tie up the end of the poem nicely. Everything you said about it makes me feel really great because compassion, empathy, understanding, and loyalty are what The Garden of Words is truly about. So it makes me really happy that I was able to evoke those same emotions. Thank you!!!

Day 18 "Unexpected Guest" In the world of Otakus (the Japanese words for anime and manga fans) there is what they call 2D crushes, when you have a crush on a fictional character. So I decided to use that idea and write of the fictional character Yukari Yukino from the anime movie The Garden of Words, it is also a novel. They are but beautiful pieces of art that I highly recommend. They are very poetic in style. The last line is the translation from a poem in the Man'yōshū. (Note: Sorry if any of you see this as a double post, I seem to be having trouble with disappearing posts again.) Title: 2D Friend You come to sit near, traveling from fiction to reality With your words I learned of the words of Man'yōshū Your eyes gazed through worlds to tell of what you love Eyes that see the world in words A world that didn’t give you the love you deserved Too small to see what you see in the rain Your touch on the rain dampened petals of beauty A beauty mirrored in your being upon your world And now my world Shall we sit and watch ripples of raindrops on this pond? Even if rain comes not, I will stay here, with you

Day 18 "Unexpected Guest" In the world of Otakus (the Japanese words for anime and manga fans) there is what they call 2D crushes, when you have a crush on a fictional character. So I decided to use that idea and write of the fictional character Yukari Yukino from the anime movie The Garden of Words, it is also a novel. They are but beautiful pieces of art that I highly recommend. They are very poetic in style. The last line is the translation from a poem in the Man'yōshū. Title: 2D Friend You come to sit near, traveling from fiction to reality With your words I learned of the words of Man'yōshū Your eyes gazed through worlds to tell of what you love Eyes that see the world in words A world that didn’t give you the love you deserved Too small to see what you see in the rain Your touch on the rain dampened petals of beauty A beauty mirrored in your being upon your world And now my world Shall we sit and watch ripples of raindrops on this pond? Even if rain comes not, I will stay here, with you

I was going to post a remind about the zoon and then log on, but my brain was wrapped up in work.

Sorry I missed the last two days, and forgot about the zoom chat. I had some work to catch up on, and will play catch up on poems tomorrow. :)

I want to revisit this one for sure. I like the idea of writing about these old readings of nature to tell the weather, they deserve something. They work as well, people think I am crazy when I predict rain from a turtle, but then I end up being right. LOL I want to remember them in a poem because they aren't working as well with climate change the weather so much. They will be forgotten soon. You are right about patience, it is everything to most of life. Letting a piece sit and looking later shows us so much.

I really love this. I am so glad you decided to write both sides.

DAY 16: "Weather Report" This isn't much of a poem, I guess my mind wasn't into it today. Tomorrow's will be better. I hope. LOL (Note: I accidently mixed up yesterday and today's prompts.) Title: Forecast Passed Down With Osage buds bigger than a baby squirrel's ear, the frost passes until season’s end Seagulls fly overhead, squawking their message to sow corn Easter’s rain will bring more for seven Sundays to spur spring's growth Turtles crossing tell more rain in the next week Why doubt the forecast older than us?

Silence is something so many don't understand or experience. On a calm day you can hear a freight train on the tracks 10 miles away. Not just the horn or engines, but you can hear the wheels themselves on the track. Must don't believe me when I say that. I LOVE the idea of separating the first line as its own stanza. That would make the four lines come together much better since it would make the beginning and end match better. Thanks so much for that. I chose bellow because that's what the wind was yesterday and today. LOL It was the kind of wind that your computer monitor on your desk shake, and it was being in today's summer temps (90f). I also couldn't think of a word that fit as a replacement. If I do something with the poem later, maybe another word will come to me. Thanks so much for the great feedback. <3

I could probably live in a city is I had to, but they are never where I want to be. Okay to visit (if it is a cool city, I like Manchester) but wouldn't want to live there.

Very nicely done. I love how much you put into so little.

Day 16 "Street Symphony" (Just realized I used day 17 prompt for day 16. Oops. LOL) I open my window to the silence most never know The wind blows in its constant exhale of spring It drowns out the bird song and the lesser noises of nature Today’s wind whistles its song of spring Tomorrow’s will bellow with the arrival of summer

I just checked again, and it isn't showing for me. Super weird.

Thank you so much. I wanted to depict the idea (or fact) that there are layers to use that go deep that no one can see in a reflection. Sorry I am unable to see your comment on the other post. :(

Seriously??? That is so weird. I have even tried two different browsers, no difference. Let me know if anyone comments something important. LOL

Right? I don't know what happened. I saw it posted later, but it is nowhere to be seen now. Weird. Thank you. It has very dark undertones for sure. But hey, it's me. Dark is 95% of the settings I have. LOL

I think you saw it by now, but he dumped all the prompts into are food bowl before leaving. LOL

This feels like I'm a cat and my own just dumped a big pile of food in my bowl and said, "See you next week!" 😂

Budapest???? Wow, that will be great! Have fun. :D

That is beautiful, with such a deep meaning. <3