DASHED PLANS

No visa from Vietnam embassy

 stony face: no voice umbilical,
 gut clenching, rain pouring,
 alone

Plans smashed

 hope dashed, money and things,
 expectations swirl
 scolding wasted effort

Faith

 looking up with joy
 seeing the face of God
 shining light on nonsense

NARROW ROAD TO THE INTERIOR

with apologies to Basho, who would chortle at these verses, but nevertheless showed us how much fun it us to write haiku. Haiku are 17 syllable poems, evocative of feelings, emotions, or impressions. My niece, Tomi, gave me the book by Basho and it inspired me to write some. I have provided a short context for each poem.

Frontier flight delayed an hour on the runway:

 goods disbursed and farewells said
 the journey falters
 on a broken plane

Acute attack of hay fever:

 the shiv'ring, sneezing body
 peremptoriy asserts
 its own end

Take off from Aspen:

 power surging through emerald slopes
 hiding modestly
 in swirling mist

 above the clouds hope sparkles
 the fragile earthbound float
 on a new plane

Missed flight:

 concourse extremities
 thrice traversed confusion
 please tell me who cares

Meeting a German tour with sloganed T-shirts:

 die schrilled auf ahse
 she said, and I a fool of Christ
 look at you

Botched up ticket:

 You're very need this morning
 she said and sent me trudging
 to the wrong flight

A second cup of tea on the plane to Phoenix:

 the lovely hostess said
 let's start fresh
 exactly! embrace the new road...

Talk with emergency management consultant on the plane to Bakersfield:

 help! said the sardine
 let me out of here!
 can't, said he, the lid's too tight

Resting with Woody and Cecille:

 a wrung out cloth
 drying in the sun
 wrinkles smoothing out a bit

Anointing at St. Paul's clears sinus:

 the oil touching forehead
 flowing down clearin healing
 in gentle wave

Leaving the Bagwells:

 spirit showers rustling in the trees
 courage and joy come down
 what grace!

Bus trip to Los Angeles:

 embarking on a long journey
 smooth road ahead
 great expectations!

Thoughts at John's home in Korea, remembering Matt 19:29:

 sixth of one hundred
 each a gift
 here a secret place for prayer

Jesus' Abbey:

 rain washing intent
 serious heads bowing
 in solace light illumining

Thoughts on the beauty I love:

 beauty never dies
 its spirit shines through all
 looking forth from your eyes

Thoughts on courage:

 When all is dark and body fears
 where is hope and courage
 in my heart

Thoughts on loneliness:

 Jesus, Spirit of God
 you made of me a purchase
 I am not alone

For a house church leaders:

 the bridge I build for you
 is costing my life
 will you cross over it?

Tomi:

 mischievous grin
 compassionate heart
 remembering you I pray

How to be a nobody:

 sitting against the wall
 disappearing
 no one being able to see

A dear friend who took his life:

 searing pain, wrenching loneliness
 devastating losses, drugged surcease
 ____________

Living in Asia:

 center gives way, moorings slip
 inner self reconstellates
 as Asian

Difficulty in translating:

 stumbling words, mind blanking
 ego dying, message lost
 love enfolding