Dedicated to the Book of Five Rings
one hundred haiku
Musashi your voice is mine
I am your wisdom
In this brief volume I have created a series of haiku in classical 5,7,5 meter to celebrate our most profound father and master, Miyamoto Musashi. The inordinate influence of who many consider to be kensei, the sword saint, he uniquely taught us with firm intention in his mind and endeavor the manners, methods and morés that all of humanity should strive to live by.
For whatever reason I interpreted The Book of Five Rings at that point in my life, 1992, is moot. At that time I had studied martial arts for well over thirty-five years along with various translations and interpretations of the work, and I found them lacking a certain spirit. Taking my life experiences in the military, the martial arts, and the other disciplines I pursued, I instinctively and intuitively knew that I had a responsibility to do so. And, so I did.
Savor these haiku. They are dedicated to our Father’s legacy. You know who are his sons and daughters.
FIRE
1
flame burns bright and soft
be a cauldron from within
ashes float away
2
escape when you must
reform your burning desire
wounded wolves may heal
3
burning passion feeds
desire to win flames burn bright
or think of moonbeams
©SFKaufman
