Art of the Bath*The ofuro (お風呂)

A place of quiet - a private world, 

where you can gently put aside 

 the demands of the busy day

 As you immerse yourself sinking deep into the
luxurious warm waters filled with fragrant herbs

&
 lotus petals floating in a tranquil tub

allow yourself to drift,

into the wonderful languorous,

sensation of suspended animation

that occurs as you close your eyes

 & 

inhale the deep rich aromas  

heightening  your senses

  in this hour of calm and stillness 

that allows you entrance to the fabled land

of floating flowers and oriental opulence.

Surrender to your inner most fantasies 

&

inhale deeply the sweet scent of spring.

The ofuro (お風呂), or Japanese bath, is an integral part of Japanese life.  The significance of the bath goes far beyond merely washing. For generations the sentō (銭湯) or "bath house" was a focal point in residential areas and a gathering place not just for bathing but for chatting, meeting friends, and generally feeling connected to others in the neighborhood. Today there are fewer sentō as all modern homes have a private bath, but the significance of the bathing ritual — whether at home, visiting an onsen, or at the local sentō — runs deep in the Japanese approach to life, which traditionally is closely tied to nature.

photo's 1st apartment therapy;3rd .bartokdesign.com 5 & 6 Zena Holloway;7 .bartokdesign.com; 8 Voque Nippo-Yoyons_Voir; 9 & 10 ffffound, 11-Zena Holloway

HOPE!

 The Breath of cherry blossoms is carried along the wind 

I feel the coming of spring from the warm breeze,

while in the garden a windsock drips fog. 

Tenderly placing the kettle on the fire,

I sit down to rest and watch the steam rising, 

it fills the room gently with a warm mist.

Pretty purple flowers are arranged in the tokonoma

Woody incense cleanses the air 

while my mind roams through ancient realms,

  Absurdly moved, my life passes before me like a dream,

from my vantage point of a familiar place, 

the hills have hugged this shore for centuries

they never looked more lovelier then they did in that moment,

Overhead birds are unsettled in the trees, 

 feeling a sense of awe and anxiety  

water swells around the island and I try to be strong,

 

The smell of gyokuro tea, white rice, bamboo, and pine boards 

swirls about and engulfs me.

 

 All those years of work are erased in one moment,

it is beyond my wisdom why, 

the inherent exuberance of nature is to spill and squander

altering the old to the new,

 But where there is life there is hope, 

”even from the cliffs of despair”.

Sayonara

The Breath of cherry blossoms
is carried along the wind
I feel the coming of spring
from the warm breeze,
while a windsock drips fog.

Tenderly placing the kettle on the fire,
I sit down to rest and watch the steam rising,
it fills the room gently with a warm mist.
Pretty purple flowers are arranged in the tokonoma

Woody incense cleanses the air
while my mind roams through ancient realms,
absurdly moved, my life passes before me like a dream,
from my vantage point of a familiar place,
the hills have hugged this shore for centuries
they never looked more lovelier
then they did in that moment,
and will never look the same again.

Overhead birds are unsettled in the trees,
feeling a sense of awe and anxiety
water swells around the island and I try to be strong,
the smell of gyokuro tea, white rice, bamboo,
and pine boards swirls about and engulfs me.

All those years of work are erased in one moment,
it is beyond my wisdom why, 

the inherent exuberance of nature is to spill and squander 

altering the old to the new, but where there is life there is hope,
”even from the cliffs of despair”.
Sayonara

Japan is a special place and  my heart breaks for them now as they are in need,

 as do so many other nations affected by the recent quake.

Let's give them the love and support if you can. 

Listed below are a few places you can donate.to.

   

    * To donate to American Red Cross Relief, text REDCROSS to 90999
  
    * To donate to GlobalGiving, which focuses on “grassroots projects in the developing world,” text JAPAN to 5055
    * To donate to The Salvation Army, text JAPAN or QUAKE to 80888

    * Human Society International
http://www.hsi.org/news/news/2011/03/japan_aid_plan_031411.html

 Websites that are officially connected with the help for Japan:
      * Oxfam America - www.oxfamamerica.org

      * World Vision- www.worldvision.org

      * Catholic Relief Services - http://crs.org

 Every $1.00  help's  and that is what they need.

photo credits: 1st photo Japanese woman -Madame Butterfly; 4th woman in water-Yanire Smashing Magazine, 7th  woman in water Hatcher Smashing Magazine; 10th Woman with Red butterfly -Madame Butterfly; last photo, tumblr,  Willamette River, Portland Oregon, Sail Boat Willamette River, all others Japanese Tea house. quote from Anne M. Lindberg.

Morning Light

 

Silver sunlight streams
through the trees
carrying minute size 
droplets of  morning dew
beading upon 
jade tipped leaves 
and soft petal flowers
tremble in the breeze
while the swans swoon.

 

Fin

Sunday 160

Streaming Down Rain . . .

Faster and faster I walk
stealing a glance as I pass
the cold dark alley
piled high garbage
sat on by cats
with watchful night eyes.

Thinking doubt soaked thoughts
race through my mind
as I turn and make my way
toward 5th and Main,

stepping over side walk cracks
and side stepping deep puddles
with floating bits of refuse,

Silently I pause waiting
for the traffic light to change,
in a split second, violent gale winds
send spinning my umbrella
dancing down the street.

Rain soaked, barely breathing,
startled by my reflection,
the intimate connection
with silenced white face
dressed in expensive
store dressings,
passing unsettled.

Luminously livid skies,
gives way to a foggy night,
droplets shine
like silver beads blooming
under lit lamp posts,

A voice whispers my name,
drowns out the roar
of my heart pounding,
doubts departing
in the lovers embrace.

 

           FIN

   via photos tumblr

Streaming down rain
faster and faster I walk
stealing a glance as I pass
the cold dark alley
piled high garbage
sat on by cats
with watchful night eyes.

Thinking doubt soaked thoughts
race through my mind
as I turn and make my way
toward 5th and Main,
stepping over side walk cracks
and side stepping deep puddles
with floating bits of refuse,
silently I pause waiting
for the traffic light to change,
in a split second, violent gale winds
send spinning my umbrella
dancing down the street.

Rain soaked, barely breathing,
startled by my reflection,
the intimate connection
with silenced white faces
dressed in expensive
store dressings,
passing unsettled.

Luminously livid skies,
gives way to a foggy night,
droplets shine
like silver beads blooming
under lit lamp posts,
a voice whispers my name,
drowns out the roar
of my heart pounding,
doubts departing
in the lovers embrace.
           FIN