Pheasants Start to Call

In the dense brown grasses,

Thatched above the snow,

At dawn and dusk,

The pheasants start to speak their minds,

In their harsh two-note crows,

From coats of fluffed copper feathers,

White scarves around the neck,

Commenting on the cold and

Reminiscing about the passing autumn bounty.

Wondering as we all do

Just when

Spring will spring forth.

*******

From October of 2023- October 2024 I wrote poems based on the seventy-two micro-seasons of the traditional Japanese calendar. They were originally published in Scribe on Medium by Thomas Gaudex, editor.

The poem above belongs to shōkan (小寒)- The Season of Lesser Cold, the fifth of six winter seasons. Pheasants Begin to Call is the last of three micro-seasons of shōkan.

Most of these poems were written during the five day season of the calendar year. They were inspired both by the season title and by my experiences. I hope you enjoy the variety, and take time to celebrate each season with me!

Natalie