No apologies are offered for the obscurity of some of the poems presented on this site, nor for the forthrightness of others. Any confusion is purely intentional.
The inspiration for my poems comes from ancient China and Japan, particularly the Chinese ascetic monks during the Tang and Song Dynasties (618 To 1276) who searched for enlightenment in caves high in the lonely mountains. Their closeness to nature and oneness with everything gave them a unique view and awareness of the world as it was then (and perhaps today). This reflected in some wonderful ideological poetry.
The Zen consciousness was also being put into poetry in Japan, originally using the same format and structure (and even language) as in China, but eventually this would evolved into the Haiku.
Zen, Tao, Confucianism and Shinto thought all provided the early base for Eastern poetry but now with some influence from western cultures, it has developed into a form that everyone from all countries, ethnicities, religions and cultures can embrace and enjoy.
The following haiku which appears on this site was first published on The Heron's Nest on-line Journal December 2008
morning frost
a monks chant
crosses the river
This haiku was on display during July 2009 at The Land Art Poetry Trail in Wales
sparrow song
the spring wind
has yet to stir
The poem Compass Of Life also appearing on this site was first published on The Fib Review which is an online journal for Fibonacci Poetry