Why does winter choose
unvarnished midnight to gift
clarity of truth?
Cold capriciousness
may mercifully be veiled —
white breath’s forgetting.
Late to the party but finally here. I chose to write using the 12th of the 24 forms, mondo, where it can be written with 2 people or one person writing both parts. I wrote both parts.
Seasonal kigo used: winter clarity and white breath.
best link I could find for top image
Colleen Chesebro is the host of TankaTuesday. Colleen says:
Tao Talk 
Midnight in winter… I love going out at that time for a few minutes…something about it. Nice poem and I love the picture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to like to go outside at night if someone was with me. There is something sacred out a midnight in winter. Everything becomes clear, for better or worse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so agree with you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kinda like a carnival at night…if that makes sense…I’m not comparing the two but…it gives me a feeling like no other really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very profound poem Li. Excellent
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadje, thank you. Really feeling it too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re always welcome 🙏🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
capriciousness – Yes, that’s a good word…although I had to look it up :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Glyn. I had to look that word up out of necessity a long time ago and am very familiar with it ;)
LikeLike
Lisa, I like this mondo form. It’s like renga, we have to plan out our responses, but so worth it. Your mondo asks and answers an astute revelation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Colleen, good point on planning out responses. I mulled over quite a few questions before settling on this one. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love writing renga, but there is a pattern to how it should be written. Still, I thought the mondo form was cool. Asking questions always leads to a revelation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love taking midnight walks in winter! Beautifully done, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful that you can do that there, Dale. Thanks <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. I don’t worry here. Sorry that you have to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lisa, your words pack a poetic punch! The way you capture the essence of winter, its unvarnished truths, and the dance of cold capriciousness—it’s pure magic. Keep crafting those beautiful haikus! ❄️🖋️
~David
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, David!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your verse reminds me of living for the moment –
Those with memory loss, always in that ‘white’ place – trying to disiquish the shadows.
I like a good dark night with little moon so the stars stand out. I saw Orion the other night… Truth be told if the sky were truly clear one could not see Orion because ‘he is’ in the Milky Way… oh… that’s another thing your image reminded me of …a possible formation of the creation of that phenomenon. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Jules. I like what you see here. Much appreciated p.o.v.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fun to use our imaginations :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
<3
LikeLiked by 1 person