Shakuji Koen, Summer

Loose Leaves – Garden Poems

 

These poems were written ‘en plein air’ on a hot and humid day in August, earlier this year.

 

 

Lake light

shining off of

shimmering leaves.

 

 

 

 

All the cicadas –

trying to have

their say.

 

 

  

Little

fluffy clouds –

feeling fine.

 

  

Photographs by Tim Chamberlain

Burnt Toast

Loose Leaves – Art Inspired

 

Douglas L. Mays - from 'John Bull Magazine' (1952)

 

Burnt toast

and marmalade –

“practice makes perfect.”

 

 

 

Black & White

Loose Leaves – Reflections

 

 

Of all the twists and turns …

 

Black n white

mini-skirt –

two choices.

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Auly

Little Things

Loose Leaves – Reflections

 

 

Little things –

new leaves

on the bonsai.

 

 

 Photos by Tim Chamberlain, 2026.

This poem was originally posted on Bluesky

Setting Sun

Loose Leaves – Art Inspired

 

Dame Laura Knight - Setting Sun

Three poems inspired by a single painting, Dame Laura Knight’s “Setting Sun” (exhibited at Paris Salon, 1967).

 

 

Birdsong.

 

Settling in the

evening sun.

 

Autumn

on the water –

gold-flecked lint.

 

***

 

Autumn

on the water –

light filtered

through linseed oil

into soft paint.

 

***

 

Autumn

on the water –

rippling clouds.

 

 

 

Originally posted on Bluesky

Long Day

Loose Leaves – Reflections

 

Harriet Lawless - Gloomy Old London

 

Long day –

headed home

hopping puddles.

 

Holly Brodie - Self-Reflection at a Red Signal (2013)

 

 

Hot House Flowers

Loose Leaves – Art Inspired

 

Ray Morimura - Medicinal Botanical Garden

This print by Ray Morimura mirrors a sight I’ve seen in many a botanical garden over the years. Hence, it evokes happy memories …

 

 

Watching my wife

wandering through

the hot house blooms.

 

 

 

This poem was originally written and posted on Bluesky