Marusen Senryu Selection '24/August
Please read the title as 'Marusen'.
This is my first senryu article in a while.
Until now, I have been introducing my own works that unfortunately didn't make the cut, calling it a memorial service for rejected senryu, but I've decided to showcase these because I feel like I've (finally) managed to write some senryu that I'm personally fond of.
All of these were selected from works I submitted to Marusen in August.
Also, I will introduce a few works from three poets I respect on the same site. (I have received permission from Marusen.)
Senryu Submission Marusen - Let's submit senryu and enjoy them together (marusenryu.com)
Every single day, 300 to 400 poems flow through.
This is the BGM for this time. As usual, I recommend keeping the volume low.
Well then, here is my self-selected dozen for August
【 】 indicates the theme
【Coffee Shop】
Leather chairs, knowing history by the degree of fading
【Barber/Beauty Salon】
Beauty salon, alias Central Intelligence Agency
【Ignorance】
Cicada chorus, a returnee wonders if it's half rain
【Lying Down】
Lying down, the old man gets poked by the Roomba
【Summer】
Summer, smelling of sea breeze and dried fish
【Coffee Shop】
The awkwardness that reveals it's a first date
【I'm Sorry】
Snack crumbs on the subordinate's apology letter
【Railway】
Local line, diesel sound melting into the greenery
【Coffee Shop】
That solicitation, 'This is dangerous, this is dangerous,' signaled with eyes
【Dejection】
The last bookstore in this town disappears tomorrow
【I'm Sorry】
Inside the train, filled with the smell of freshly grilled gyoza
【Clinging】
Things to cling to: pension, medicine, smartphone, wife
What do you think? I imagine many of you might have had similar experiences. (I've experienced almost all of these myself 💦)
By the way, I appear on Marusen under the pen name 'Senshin'.
Next, works by poets I respect.
First, from Kaeruyagi-san's poems
[Coffee Shop]
Dad's running away from home always ends at Komeda's
It's light, but I like how the words are so concrete. It's somehow funny and has a touch of pathos, too.
[Barbershop/Hair Salon]
Even a pro stylist can't cut the 'lingering attachment'
I couldn't help but groan at that. I suppose only you can make a clean break, after all.
Next is Kirikiri Maise-san
[Flower]
Making up for a lack of flair with floral patterns
It might be self-deprecating humor, but it makes me smile.
Someone like this surely has great fashion sense, too.
[One Drink]
Draft beer performing a shoulder throw on a sweltering day
The phrasing is outstanding! It just so happens that judo was a hot topic during the Olympics.
Lastly, Shimakaze Hyuga-san A noter many of you know, who also occasionally posts senryu articles.
[Marriage Hunting]
Marriage hunting with a name tag that says 'Rich'
Burst out laughing at first glance 🤣
[Medicine]
Generic, insurance-covered, love potion
In a sense? They write many love songs.
I firmly believe they are the king of surrealism and nonsense!
All three are prolific poets in their own right, but because of that, their work is dense and full of masterpieces that will make you lean back in surprise when you read them.
Well, that's all for now.
I hope to post an article like this about once every two months, so please look forward to it 🙇☆彡