Wednesday, November 15, 2017

One Man's Maple Moon: Farm Tanka by Karen O’Leary

English Original

last trek
around the farm …
grandpa and I
sip coffee
out of cracked cups

Karen O’Leary


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在農場附近
的最後一段行程 ...
爺爺和我
使用有裂紋的杯子
喝咖啡

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在农场附近
的最后一段行程 ...
爷爷和我
使用有裂纹的杯子
喝咖啡


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, bear creek haiku, Shemom, Creative Inspirations and NeverEnding Story. She edits an online journal called Whispers She enjoys sharing the gift of words.
Posted by at
Labels: , , , ,

12 comments:

  1. Chen-ou Liu, 劉鎮歐November 15, 2017 at 5:29 PM

    An emotional undercurrent runs through Karen's deceptively simple tanka.

    This is a fine tanka that demonstrates the style of plainness/understatement, which is closely related to the Chinese ideal of beauty called "pingtan."

    ReplyDelete
  2. Karen O'LearyNovember 19, 2017 at 9:07 PM

    Dear Chen-ou,

    What a bright light you are in the poetry community! Thank you for publishing my poem and for your kind words. Wishing you the best always. Hope to see you at Whispers soon!

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  3. angeleeNovember 19, 2017 at 10:12 PM

    Very poignant and beautiful tanka,love,angelee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyNovember 21, 2017 at 1:44 AM

      Dear Angelee,

      Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate your ongoing encouragement.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  4. Michael ToddNovember 20, 2017 at 3:27 AM

    I know this story.
    I lived this. What a wonderful remembrance, to take me back, over fifty years.

    Thank you, Karen & Chen-ou.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyNovember 21, 2017 at 1:52 AM

      Dear Michael,

      This is a kinship moment then as my tanka is based on a real event of my life. My grandpa died several years ago, but his gentle courage lives on in my heart.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  5. Gert W. KnopNovember 20, 2017 at 4:34 AM

    Enjoyed Karen's tanka, and great that you translated it into Chinese. All the best, Gert

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyNovember 21, 2017 at 1:56 AM

      Dear Gert,

      Thank you for your ongoing encouragement and support, my friend. Poetry was meant to be shared and Chen-ou offers a chance to reach a larger audience.

      Blessings always,
      Karen

      Delete
  6. UnknownNovember 20, 2017 at 6:07 AM

    These few words makes me imagine the whole scene, so touching.
    Lovely poem Karen. Thanks Chen-ou-Liu for the translations

    Best wishes,
    Inge

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyNovember 21, 2017 at 1:58 AM

      Dear Inge,

      I am so grateful to Chen-ou for taking the time to translating my tanka. Thank you so much for your kind words. What a gift to share our words.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  7. pdfrenchNovember 20, 2017 at 11:35 AM

    What a great visuall, loved this piece, thanks for sharing it with us Karen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyNovember 21, 2017 at 1:59 AM

      Dear Peggy,

      Thank you so much for your lovely words, my friend. Your encouragement and support are greatly appreciated.

      Blessings always,
      Karen

      Delete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)