pond
reflected landscape–
koi swirl, surfacing

path
circles around–
another gate appears

time
is lost
in cloudless sky

looking
for turtles–
sun-dappled rocks

threshold
crosses over–
matter becomes spirit

Torii Gates are Japanese Shinto structures marking the entrance to sacred spaces such as shrines, temples, or natural landscapes. They serve as transitioning boundaries between the ordinary and spiritual worlds. The vermilion red color symbolizes vitality and life force, and also has the power to ward off evil.

After seeing the Moomins at the library, my daughter and I went to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden, a short walk down Eastern Parkway, right next to the Brooklyn Museum. We wanted to visit the koi pond in the Japanese Garden, which we realized we had not gone to see in over ten years. The koi are still busy begging, although unlike during our previous visits no one was feeding them when we were there.

We then walked the path around the pond before wandering a bit through other parts of the Garden and heading home. I photographed some other doors, but those are for another post.

I’ve taken inspiration from two prompts this week for my poems, while at the same time following neither one. Michelle at W3 offered the hay(na)ku poetry form, one which I like a lot. I did not, however, follow through with the suggested theme of love. Instead, inspired by Selma’s Tanka Tuesday prompt to use Basho’s work as a jumping off point, I wrote a group of five hay(na)kus that reflected my visit to the Japanese Garden.

And, as always, don’t forget to look for more doors  at Thursday Doors, hosted by Dan Antion.