grandma tucks
his old hat
in her cedar chest
unable to pack
grief with it
Moonbathing, 11, Fall/Winter 2014
Karen O’Leary
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
祖母
將他的舊帽子
擠入杉木櫃內
卻無法用它來封裝
她的悲傷
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
祖母
将他的旧帽子
挤入杉木柜内
却无法用它来封装
她的悲伤
Bio Sketch
Karen O’Leary is a writer and editor from West Fargo, ND. She has published poetry, short stories, and articles in a variety of venues including, Frogpond, A Hundred Gourds, Haiku Pix, Sharpening the Green Pencil 2014, Now This: Contemporary Poems of Beginnings, Renewals and Firsts, Creative Inspirations, and Poems of the World. She currently edits an online poetry journal called Whispers
A strong sense of loss is effectively conveyed through the contrasting processes of "tuck[ing] his old hat" and "pack[ing] grief" in this socio-culturally and emotionally significant piece of furniture called "cedar chest."
ReplyDeleteNote: The term "cedar chest" (also known as "hope chest"), mainly used in the midwest or south of the United States, refers to "a piece of furniture traditionally used to collect items such as clothing and household linen, by unmarried young women in anticipation of married life."
For more info., see the Wikipedia entry, titled "Hope Chest," which can be accessed at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_chest
Dear Chen-ou,
DeleteThank you so much for publishing my tanka at your beautiful online journal. You insightful analysis is greatly appreciated as is the translations. It is such a joy to have my work published here. Thanks again!
Blessings,
Karen
Great one, Karen..I enjoyed reading it..Thanks for letting me know about it..Sara
ReplyDeleteDear Sara,
DeleteThank you so much for your lovely words and ongoing encouragement. I hope to see you published here some time. Chen-ou does such a great job with this journal.
Blessings,
Karen
A great poem by Karen...
ReplyDeleteThe translating is so cool, a labor of love, for sure.
Dear Michael,
DeleteThank you for your ongoing support, my friend. You are a gift in my life and a light in the poetry community.
Many blessings,
Karen
Love the subtle power of your Tanka, Karen.
ReplyDeleteHow many of us long to pack our grief away in an old cedar chest?
Dear Michael,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words. Chen-ou's journal is such a a wonderful place to share the gift of words. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors.
Blessings,
Karen
I really liked this Karen, well said!
ReplyDeleteDear Peggy,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words and ongoing encouragement. What a gift you are in the writing community!
Blessings,
Karen
Having lost my father last year reading this poem hasbrought a huge lump to my throat Karen - such touching imagery. Many congrats on it being published - its lovely to see it with the translation too:-) hugs Jan xx
ReplyDeleteDear Jan,
DeleteIt was such a difficult year for you, my friend. Thank you for your kind words. I hope to see a poem from you here one day too. Best wishes, my friend.
Blessings,
Karen
extremely poignant! the image striking and grief exuding.
ReplyDeleteDear Sheikha,
DeleteThank you for your love words on my poem. I appreciate all the encouragement you give me. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors.
Blessings,
Karen
Yes, this tanka evokes so much in so few words. Thank you for telling me about your poem's publication, Karen. I agree with Jan that it's neat to see the translation as well.
ReplyDeleteDear Marianne,
DeleteChen-ou does such a beautiful job with his online journal. Thank you for your kind words on my tanka. Best wishes with your writing journey.
Blessings,
Karen
Dear Karen, your talent for portraying so much in so few words astounds me; so poignant, as sheikh wrote. Thank you for sharing another magnificent piece.
ReplyDeleteLove, Charlene
Dear Charlene,
DeleteThank you so much for your lovely comments and your ongoing encouragement, my friend. What a joy to be published at Chen-ou's amazing journal. Best wishes with all your writing endeavors.
Blessings,
Karen
Congratulations on this expressive and suggestive tanka, Karen. I already read this one on the NeverEnding story online journal, and it's a pleasure reading it again now. Happy Easter! // paul
ReplyDeleteDear Paul,
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time this has been published at NeverEnding Story. Maybe you were thinking of the haiku I had published recently. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Congratulations on all your writing accomplishments, my friend.
Blessings,
Karen
well done, Karen - congrats to your fine poem/poetry. . .
ReplyDeleteDear ayaz,
DeleteThank you so much for your kind words and ongoing support. What a light you are in the poetry community. Keep shining on!
Blessings,
Karen
Overwhelming! Great tanka!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Gert
Dear Gert,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much my friend! What a gift you are to the poetry community and in my life.
Blessings,
Karen