Tuan Tran's Journal

I saw
an earthworm
crawling
next to my feet
carefully
I picked it up
and placed it
in a flowerpot
so I wouldn't step on it
then I saw
another
I placed it
in the same flowerpot
so the other
won't be lonely

Like a sailboat
in a vast blue sea
without a compass
or a star
to point the way
then you appear
bright as the northern star
radiant and lovely
with that far-away look
in your eyes
and lips so moist
as the morning dew
and suddenly
I am no longer lost
as I steer
by the light
of the northern star

Spiderweb
collecting morning dew
a graveyard of mosquitoes

Dark clouds
approaching
songbirds still sing

Desert moon
shone brightly
a lone wanderer

Dragonfly
in a pond of lotus flowers
be still

Bamboo branches swaying in the gentle breeze
water buffaloes reflecting in the moonlight
bombs falling like raindrops

Ego
my own ego
big as a mountain
chip at it
a little
each day

Master
seeking for you
halfway around the world
Guru
where are you
but in my heart

Ten years
seems as yesterday
I have not let go

Autumn breeze
falling leaves
why think of summer

Every caterpillar
metamorphoses
in its own time

How strange
dragonflies
spitting fire

One boat
alone
this vast ocean

In my darkest hour
I cried out for you
I love you, mom

Temple bell ringing
I think
of my friend

Peony flower
in spring
winter is over

Autumn
leaves
falling

Hummingbird
darting
a field of honeysuckles

The bird feeder
black sunflower seeds
chirping red-headed finches

Yellow butterfly
floating above
purple lavender

A bee
buzzing
the peony flower

Cherry blossom
petal
falling

The koi
moving
in silent pond

Cricket
chirping
in moonlit night

Pink lotus
in full bloom
this muddy pond

Temple bell
fading
silence remains

Footsteps
in
falling snow

White butterfly
alights
upon pink orchid

White orchid
on the altar
the Buddha smiles

Autumn leaves
on
a winding path

A grassy field
this wet spring evening
the sound of a frog

A salmon
returning
the stream awaits

A brook
trickling down
a silent pond

White peony
from the garden
on the kitchen table

White peony
bending
at the stem

Cooper's hawk
waiting
at the bird feeder

Forget-me-not
on
an empty park bench

Temple bell
the forest
listens

Autumn fog
covering
the road home

Moonlit night
water buffaloes
listen to falling bombs

Spring rain
Spanish lavender
scent in the air

Pink orchid
the shape
of a butterfly

Pouring rain
the frogs
listen

Woodpecker
the sound
echo

A finch released
chirping
on the fence

Still pond
full moon
no reflection

Each breath
a death
renewal

A rose
fragrance
this moment

Spring rain
cherry blossom
without flowers

A mouse
trapped
set free

Sorry spider
have
a better next life

A fawn
the freeway
a truck swerves

Bees
enjoy the lavender
I'm just watering

A teddy bear
my daughter's gift
on my birthday

Summertime
cricket chirping
by Costco parking lot

Summer evening
the cicadas
become quiet

Three birds
on
a power line

Sunset
a bird
on a bare branch

Petunia basket
hummingbird
feeder

Petunia
in springtime
intoxicated bees

Autumn leaves
falling
in a gentle breeze

A cat
for a companion
after the separation

Kitty cat
would you like
a glass of wine

White peony petals
on the ground
the color of passing

I took the one less traveled by
in a yellow wood
but needed a cane

The fireplace
a log glowing
like fireflies

Walking
in falling snow
with no destination

Mid-Autumn Festival
wishing for
a lantern and mooncake

It's a school day
I get
a loaf of French bread

Every
breath
aware

A bicycle ride home
from school
ao dai flutters like butterfly