One Man's Maple Moon: Son Tanka by James Chessing

English Original

how my son has grown
the things we talk about
the things we don't
I lose his arrow's flight
in the glare of the noonday sun

Mariposa, 30, 2014

James Chessing


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

我的兒子已成長壯大
有些事我們一起討論
有些事我們避而不談
在正午的刺眼陽光下
我失去了他的踪影

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

我的儿子已成长壮大
有些事我们一起讨论
有些事我们避而不谈
在正午的刺眼阳光下
我失去了他的踪影


Bio Sketch

James Chessing's profession is clinical psychology.  He is in his fifth decade writing haiku, and he published his first tanka in 2006.  His poems have appeared in many of the leading journals and anthologies, and he had the good fortune to place first in the 2010 Tanka Society of America Contest. 

One Man's Maple Moon: Words & Silences Tanka by James Chessing

English Original

it wasn't always so
the words and silences
that came between us
now I bring you irises
cut this morning in the rain

First Place, TSA Contest, 2010

James Chessing


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

過去在我們之間
的爭辯和沈默
情況其實並不總是如此
今天早上我帶給你的鳶尾花
是在雨中採摘

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

过去在我们之间
的争辩和沈默
情况其实并不总是如此
今天早上我带给你的鸢尾花
是在雨中采摘


Bio Sketch

James Chessing's profession is clinical psychology.  He is in his fifth decade writing haiku, and he published his first tanka in 2006.  His poems have appeared in many of the leading journals and anthologies, and he had the good fortune to place first in the 2010 Tanka Society of America Contest. 

One Man's Maple Moon: Persimmons Tanka by James Chessing

English Original

we talk
of everything
and nothing
the bowl of persimmons
not one of them ripe

Skylark, 3:1, 2015

James Chessing


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

我們無所不談
不過什麼重要的事情
也沒談   
一碗的柿子
沒有一個是熟的

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

我们无所不谈
不过什麽重要的事情
也没谈   
一碗的柿子
没有一个是熟的


Bio Sketch

James Chessing's profession is clinical psychology.  He is in his fifth decade writing haiku, and he published his first tanka in 2006.  His poems have appeared in many of the leading journals and anthologies, and he had the good fortune to place first in the 2010 Tanka Society of America Contest. 

One Man's Maple Moon: Stillness Tanka by James Chessing

English Original

the stillness inside
the stillness of snow
falling on snow
nothing left to try
but the letting go                              

Member's Choice Tanka, Ribbons, 7:4, 2011

James Chessing


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

內心的寂靜
雪花飄落
的寂靜
除了放手不管
沒有任何方法可嘗試

   
Chinese Translation (Simplified)

内心的寂静
雪花飘落
的寂静
除了放手不管
没有任何方法可尝试


Bio Sketch

James Chessing's profession is clinical psychology.  He is in his fifth decade writing haiku, and he published his first tanka in 2006.  His poems have appeared in many of the leading journals and anthologies, and he had the good fortune to place first in the 2010 Tanka Society of America Contest.