One Man's Maple Moon: Geraniums Tanka by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

on the porch

Dad's geraniums in clay pots

blushing red --

no green trees for our view

just the Mystic River bridge

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在門廊上

爸爸種在陶盆裡的天竺葵

花瓣泛紅 --

從我們的視線範圍看不到綠樹

只有神秘河大橋

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在门廊上

爸爸种在陶盆里的天竺葵

花瓣泛红 --

从我们的视线范围看不到绿树

只有神秘河大桥

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Butterfly Dream: Silhouette Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

silhouette

through the closed shade

a crow's caw

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

側影

穿過遮光簾

烏鴉的叫聲

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

侧影

穿过遮光帘

乌鸦的叫声

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Butterfly Dream: Mother's Day Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

white violets

fried clams and a poem

Mother's Day

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

日羅蘭

炸蛤蜊和一首詩

母親節

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

日罗兰

炸蛤蜊和一首诗

母亲节

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

One Man's Maple Moon: Salt Wind Tanka by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

all our yesterdays

scatter like white feathers

in the salt wind --

still, you come into my dreams

when the seagulls call

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

我們所有的昨日

像白色的羽毛般散落

在鹹澀的海風中 --

然而當海鷗鳴叫時

你還是會出現在我的夢裡

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

我们所有的昨日

像白色的羽毛般散落

在咸涩的海风中 --

然而当海鸥鸣叫时

你还是会出现在我的梦里

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Poetic Musings: Shelter Tanka by Marion Alice Poirier

under the shelter

of a weeping willow tree

she sleeps at last

on damp earth and newspapers --

a haven, for one night

NeverEnding Story, February 23, 2026

Marion Alice Poirier

Commentary: The weeping willow, a traditional emblem of grief and consolation, in Ls 1&2 is set against the starkly modern, gritty detail of “newspapers” in L4. This juxtaposition is both thematically significant and visually and emotionally poignant. This grounded, contemporary image transforms the tanka from a simple nature vignette into a poignant social meditation on homelessness and displacement.

The comma in L5, “a haven, for one night,” functions as a "terminal caesura, a deliberate pause that shapes the reader’s experience of the tanka’s conclusion." That "brief hesitation" underscores the fragility of the refuge described in Ls 1-4, sharpening the quiet irony at the heart of the scene.

For more examples about the use of terminal caesura, see "To the Lighthouse: Terminal Caesura"

Biting NOT Barking: Shelter Tanka by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

under the shelter

of a weeping willow tree

she sleeps at last

on damp earth and newspapers --

a haven, for one night

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一棵垂柳

的蔭蔽之下

躺在潮濕泥土和報紙上面

她終於睡著了 --

一個避風港, 僅僅一晚

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一棵垂柳

的荫蔽之下

躺在潮湿泥土和报纸上面

她终于睡着了 --

一个避风港, 仅仅一晚

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

One Man's Maple Moon: Winter Dusk Tanka by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

in winter dusk

an ocean flows between us ...

I play our song

and wonder, can you hear it

beneath the sickle moon?

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

冬日黃昏

我們之間隔著一片海洋 ...

我彈奏我們的歌

不禁思忖, 在那鐮刀月光下

你是否聽得到?

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

冬日黄昏

我们之间隔着一片海洋 ...

我弹奏我们的歌

不禁思忖, 在那镰刀月光下

你是否听得到?

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Butterfly Dream: Snowstorm Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

snowstorm ... 

the kettle humming

he's gone

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

暴風雪 ...

水壺嗡嗡低吟

他走了

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

暴风雪 ...

水壶嗡嗡低吟

他走了

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Butterfly Dream: Drift of Smoke Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

burning love letters

with the last fallen leaves ...

a drift of smoke

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

隨著最後幾片落葉

一起焚燒的情書 ...

一縷煙霧

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

随着最后几片落叶

一起焚烧的情书 ...

一缕烟雾

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

One Man's Maple Moon: Kindness Tanka by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

an old woman

sits on a park bench

counting change --

the kindness of strangers

softens her wrinkled face

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一位老婦人

坐在公園的長椅上

計數零錢 --

陌生人的善意

撫平她佈滿皺紋的臉

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一位老妇人

坐在公园的长椅上

计数零钱 --

陌生人的善意

抚平她布满皱纹的脸

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

One Man's Maple Moon: New Life Tanka by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

beyond white walls --

the lady walks in sunlight

and sparrow song

gathering a few lilacs

to scent her new life

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

白牆之外 --

這位女士漫步在陽光下

和麻雀的歌聲中

採集一些丁香花

添加香味到她的新生活

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

白墙之外 --

这位女士漫步在阳光下

和麻雀的歌声中

采集一些丁香花

添加香味到她的新生活

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

One Man's Maple Moon: Old Ghosts Tanka by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

as sunlight fades

I walk sleepy streets

with old ghosts. . .

where our house once stood

only the oak remains

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

當陽光臨近暮色時

與老鬼魂們我走在缺乏人聲

令人昏睡的街道上 ...

這是我們的房子曾經矗立的地方

如今只剩下一棵橡樹

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

当阳光临近暮色时

与老鬼魂们我走在缺乏人声

令人昏睡的街道上 ...

这是我们的房子曾经矗立的地方

如今只剩下一棵橡树

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Butterfly Dream: Wedding Bells Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

wedding bells —

my simmering pot roast

hooks a widower

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

婚禮鐘聲 —

我的慢熬燉肉的香味

吸引住一位鰥夫

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

婚礼钟声 —

我的慢熬炖肉的香味

吸引住一位鳏夫

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Butterfly Dream: Dad's Chevy Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

all that remains --

dad's Chevy leaving

a trail in the dust

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

殘留之物 --

爸爸的雪佛蘭在塵埃中

所留下的痕跡

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

残留之物 --

爸爸的雪佛兰在尘埃中

所留下的痕迹

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Butterfly Dream: Wedding Day Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

a toast

on my son's wedding day

half-full glass

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在我兒子的婚禮當天

乾杯

半滿的酒杯

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在我儿子的婚礼当天

干杯

半满的酒杯

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Poetic Musings: Winter Chill Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

winter chill

behind a slammed door

her taste for vodka

NeverEnding Story, January 20, 2023

Marion Alice Poirier

Commentary: L1 sets the tone and mood of the haiku, while unexpected yet thematically significant and emotionally poignant L3 could be read as either one of possible causes for L2, or the result of the violent action depicted in L2, a "slammed door," which functions like the metaphor for a communication failure .

A poignantly effective middle-of-the-story winter haiku where the coldness, both physical and emotional, is etched in every line. 

Butterfly Dream: Winter Chill Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

winter chill

behind a slammed door

her taste for vodka

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

冬天的寒氣

在大門關上之後

她喜歡伏特加

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

冬天的寒气

在大门关上之后

她喜欢伏特加

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Butterfly Dream: Last Glimpse Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

a leaf in the wind ...

the last glimpse of dad 

from my window

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一片葉子隨風飄落 ...

從我的窗戶最後一瞥

父親的身影

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一片叶子随风飘落 ...

从我的窗户最后一瞥

父亲的身影

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Butterfly Dream: Deep Winter Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

deep winter ...

a dog whines outside

the dark house

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

深冬 ...

一隻狗在黑暗的房子外面

不停地嗚咽

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

深冬 ...

一只狗在黑暗的房子外面

不停地呜咽

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

Butterfly Dream: Jingle Bells Haiku by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

an old man

stares into the bar mirror ...

jingle bells

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一位老人

凝視酒吧的鏡子...

聖誕鈴噹響

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一位老人

凝视酒吧的镜子...

圣诞铃当响

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.