Series of senryūs dedicated to the Nikkei community in Venezuela and Latin America.
1.
Haiku in ink,
samurai writes kanji,
I in romaji.
2.
They ask where I’m
from. I say: “From here.”
“And those eyes?”
3.
My eyes are that
cosmic falling star rain.
My hair ink!
4.
Born here in
Venezuela, soul
of Okinawa.
**
Senryu is a Japanese poetic form similar to haiku (17 syllables, 5-7-5 structure) but focuses on human nature, foibles, and irony rather than nature. Often humorous or satirical, these “human haiku” often ignore strict syllable counts in favor of capturing a candid, often witty moment.
About the Author
Jesús Rafael Marcano is a Venezuelan writer, poet, and Orientalist specializing in Japanese literature.
