Week #8—Improv #2

A Sneeze

                        by So Chong-Ju

Somewhere

is someone

saying my words?

I stepped out

into the blue autumn day’s

winds that touched the ricepaper door.

I sniffed at the weather,

and sneezed.

Somewhere

is someone

saying my words?

Somewhere

as someone says my words,

has a flower overheard and passed them along?

The clouds split as I look up—

a shining brassy spot of sun

on the mountain’s back.

Traces that stir

the waves of an old love.

Is someone

somewhere

saying my words?

As someone says them

has an ox overheard?

Does he pass them along?

A Cloud

                        By Pauline Rodwell

Up high

do my words

dance in the breeze?

I looked up

at the true sky’s compendium

of clouds cavorting in the wind.

I felt a slight chill

and shivered.

Up high

do my words

dance in the breeze?

Up high

As the breeze whirls my words,

Does a bird cut in to waltz with them?

The trees sway as I sing

my poem to the autumn air

on the earth’s stomach.

Lines that blur

Evidence of ancient tears.

Up high

do my words

dance in the breeze?

While they twirl

Will a storm come along?

Will it upset my song?