Thursday, April 22, 2010

Cicadas

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Stillness
Piercing the rocks
the sound of cicadas

Basho Matsuo




The clear toned cicadas
have exhausted their voices
on the hillside
when again
the evening bell startles




To the sound
of water tumbling
beneath rocks
in the pine shade
cicada voices
coolly respond


Princess Shikishi
C12th High Priestess
of Kamo Shrine
Kyoto







Images from my times in Kyoto, Japan


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24 comments:

  1. Lori annApril 22, 2010 at 2:56 PM

    Such serene and beautiful images. piercing rocks is a good description by Basho Matsuo (cicadas can be extremely loud). a lovely thoughtful post Delwyn.

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  2. alexis nicoleApril 22, 2010 at 3:27 PM

    I just want to lay a blanket on one of those fluffy lawns and enjoy the scenery. Beautiful post Delwyn!
    I have never had the pleasure of hearing a cicada.

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  3. Alden SmithApril 22, 2010 at 7:18 PM

    In This Moment
    Where I Was Born
    Tonight My Only Friends
    Are The Cicadas

    Nedla

    ReplyDelete
  4. ellen abbottApril 22, 2010 at 8:05 PM

    I love cicadas. What a lovely serene looking place.

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  5. Wanda.....April 22, 2010 at 8:31 PM

    Such beautiful-peaceful-manicured-naturalness. Even the rain gutters are artistic in design. All the shades of green, the shadows and the music of the cicadas...all so calming!
    ♥...Wanda

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  6. Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed.April 22, 2010 at 10:59 PM

    The serenity is palpable in these lovely shots Delwyn. I was a little confused at first, assuming we were in Australia ... and wondering at the lush green, deep shade, and architecture. Finally I got my bearings and thoroughly enjoyed a little stopover in Japan with you.

    I think I may have missed a calling to be a contemplative ... a monk ... You?

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  7. MeriApril 23, 2010 at 2:48 AM

    I remember their singing from my years in Texas.

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  8. AnnApril 23, 2010 at 3:47 AM

    It looks to be a very calm peaceful place, with the sound of running water. I have never had the pleasure of hearing Cicadas singing.

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  9. CindyApril 23, 2010 at 5:32 AM

    Love the lushness and beauty here! The Japanese sure know how to create a calming environment. Thanks for taking me there.

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  10. MarionApril 23, 2010 at 9:05 AM

    Oh, how I love, love, love the song of the Cicadas! What beautiful photos to illustrate your words, Delwyn!! Blessings, and Happy Earth Day!

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  11. LauraApril 23, 2010 at 11:03 AM

    so tranquil Delwyn, thanks so much for sharing.

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  12. AmyApril 23, 2010 at 2:02 PM

    They do make a gorgeous and loud orchestra. I can almost hear them know... Happy Earth Day.

    ReplyDelete
  13. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:24 PM

    Hello Lori

    the gardens are superb, each with their own tranquil calm and restfulness...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  14. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:26 PM

    Hi Alexis

    tempting, but these smooth mossy areas are special moss gardens, hence the gorgeous textures...I saw a sign in a Japanese Garden that said

    VIP

    Very Important Moss

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  15. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:27 PM

    Hi Alden

    I have cicada singing happening in my ears all day long whether the cicadas are out and chirping or not...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  16. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:28 PM

    Hi Ellen

    these are different gardens in Kyoto, enchanting places...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  17. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:30 PM

    Hi Wanda

    yes the gardens are all beautifully cared for, revered in fact...

    I didn't notice the gutter and went looking for it...it looks like copper.

    You would love these serene gardens Wanda

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  18. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:31 PM

    Hi Bonnie

    Just a quick mini trip to Japan today...

    I think I could be too, but then again...not a celibate one, I have loved raising children...

    Happy days

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  19. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:32 PM

    Hi Meri

    so it seems that cicadas are only in the warmer climates. What about katydids - do they sing...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  20. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    Hi Ann

    another one who has missed the music of hundreds of cicadas...the ones on my walk are very mellow at present, with lower throaty singing, but they can really screech on hot summer nights.

    I have been in the NZ forest and had them sing so loudly that you can hardly concentrate...

    Now I have then singing all day long as I have a little tinnitus!

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  21. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:35 PM

    Hello Cindy

    Gardens are an art form in Japan and there is such beauty and diversity.

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  22. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:36 PM

    Hi Marion

    I imagine you have plenty of singing in the summer too.
    thank you for the kind wishes and enjoy the dragonflies...another Japanese emblem...

    happy days

    ReplyDelete
  23. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:37 PM

    HI Laura

    thanks for calling by and listening...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete
  24. DelwynApril 23, 2010 at 2:37 PM

    HI Laura

    thanks for calling by and listening...

    Happy days

    ReplyDelete

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