A portrait of Kaneko Misuzu
The early-bird prompt at napowrimo.net (for NaPoWriMo 2025) was to write a portrait poem. I wrote it on the first day of NaPoWriMo, but other urgent things took over and I have to post it on the 2nd on my second blog. Probably you guys have not read it there. :)
pencil sketch by dsnake1, enhanced with Snapseed
A portrait of Kaneko Misuzu
It must be those eyes,
like dark coals
staring into the echoes,
a certain fleeting sadness,
as if she can see
into the future
her later unfortunate life,
that draws me
to the portrait.
"We're all different, and that's just fine"
01/04/2025
**********
Kaneko Misuzu ( 金子 みすゞ), (1903 -1930), was a Japanese poet known for her poetry for children. She was celebrated during her lifetime, but her works fell into obscurity after her death. She was given a rather common given name Teru, but being well-read, she gave herself the pen name Misuzu, derived from the word 'misuzukari', which means 'the reaping of bamboo grasses'.
I may like to compare her life with that of Adelaide Crapsey (1878 - 1914), the inventor of the cinquain. Both were ardently pursuing their art during their brief lives, but their popularity waned after their deaths. Fortunately for us, their poetry were not lost.
---------------
Big Catch
======
At sunrise, glorious sunrise
it’s a big catch!
A big catch of sardines!
On the beach, it’s like a festival
but in the sea, they will hold funerals
for the ten thousands of dead.
-- Kaneko Misuzu
And for fun, an AI generated image of the above drawing in anime style from me at Fotor.
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2025
A portrait of Kaneko Misuzu
It must be those eyes,
like dark coals
staring into the echoes,
a certain fleeting sadness,
as if she can see
into the future
her later unfortunate life,
that draws me
to the portrait.
"We're all different, and that's just fine"
01/04/2025
**********
Kaneko Misuzu ( 金子 みすゞ), (1903 -1930), was a Japanese poet known for her poetry for children. She was celebrated during her lifetime, but her works fell into obscurity after her death. She was given a rather common given name Teru, but being well-read, she gave herself the pen name Misuzu, derived from the word 'misuzukari', which means 'the reaping of bamboo grasses'.
I may like to compare her life with that of Adelaide Crapsey (1878 - 1914), the inventor of the cinquain. Both were ardently pursuing their art during their brief lives, but their popularity waned after their deaths. Fortunately for us, their poetry were not lost.
---------------
Big Catch
======
At sunrise, glorious sunrise
it’s a big catch!
A big catch of sardines!
On the beach, it’s like a festival
but in the sea, they will hold funerals
for the ten thousands of dead.
-- Kaneko Misuzu
And for fun, an AI generated image of the above drawing in anime style from me at Fotor.
© cheong lee san ( dsnake1 ) 2025
Labels: GloPoWriMo 2025, poet, portrait
posted by dsnake1 at 12:06 AM
16 Comments:
Yes, she does have a wistful, vulnerable look. Her poem Big Catch is a joy to read! And I like your poem reflecting on her, too.
There was this prompt at NaPoWriMo to write a portrait poem. I was looking at some portraits of poets when I came across her sepia photograph. The poem sort of wrote itself from her tragic life story. And I thought I have to do a pencil sketch of her too, though it really didn't look too much like her in the photo. :)
They say that eyes are windows to the soul ... I can see why you found hers compelling.
Your words fit the picture so fine. Just reading your poem made me feel sorry for her. BTW our daughter now comes to Singapore generally once a year or two. I would like to come with her but her husband is first in line. It will/would be my 83rd country. Also I've been to all 50 of our states. India, China, and Australia are the closest to Singapore the Mrs and I have been.
Wonderful ~~ simply wonderful work!!!
Very beautiful poem. There is something unsaid about those lines which makes one think. Her eyes are really mesmerizing.
Penelope,
Thank you!
they certainly are the windows to the soul.
Jim,
Thank you!
Yes, this poet certainly has had a quite tragic life. But you wouldn't know from her poetry.
Is your daughter coming to Singapore to work? Anyway, if you ever visit, let me know and I may show you around. You seems like a well-traveled person. :)
Helen,
Thank you!
So is the delightful poem at your site. :)
Vanderloost, thank you! :)
I shared your post with my haiku friends with the link. Hope you don't mind.
Thank you, Vanderloost. I am glad that my post can be shared with more readers. :)
Interesting poet and poem. I was very young when I first visited Singapore There were still people living in tents on the streets before its redevelopment into the prosperous city it is now..,,,a very different place back then and probably before your time.
Thank you, Rall.
Yes, Kaneko Misuzu wrote in her native Japanese and was noted for her poetry for children.
Stoked to know that you have visited Singapore before, even though you were very young then. Yes, back then it was quite under-developed. In my childhood, I lived in a squatter colony in a home built of scrap wood, zinc sheets and attap., but I was fortunate enough to get an education at a nearby school.
I love how you have taken us into this beautiful picture and the brought her to life- Jae
Thank you, Jae!
Beautiful poem, and haunting pencil sketch.
Thank you, Sara! :)
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