Jenna Van Kley’s Reviews > Japanese Death Poems: Written by Zen Monks and Haiku Poets on the Verge of Death > Status Update
Jenna Van Kley
is on page 106 of 160
“In empty space I twist and soar
And come down with the roar of thunder
To the sea.”
— May 12, 2026 12:13AM
And come down with the roar of thunder
To the sea.”
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Jenna’s Previous Updates
Jenna Van Kley
is finished
“At night my sleep
embraces the summer shadows
of my life.”
— May 12, 2026 12:49AM
embraces the summer shadows
of my life.”
Jenna Van Kley
is finished
“This year I want
to see the lotus
on the other side.”
— May 12, 2026 12:41AM
to see the lotus
on the other side.”
Jenna Van Kley
is on page 147 of 160
“First crops:
my pillow fluffed up high,
I gulp down rice and tea.
Chiri died in the autumn, during the rice harvest…In the past the Japanese would bring the first-fruits of the harvest to the temples.
Chagayu is a gruel made from rice, green tea, and salt. Takamakura, ‘high pillow,’ refers metaphorically to peaceful sleep, free from the worries of this world.”
So simple; made me emotional
— May 12, 2026 12:31AM
my pillow fluffed up high,
I gulp down rice and tea.
Chiri died in the autumn, during the rice harvest…In the past the Japanese would bring the first-fruits of the harvest to the temples.
Chagayu is a gruel made from rice, green tea, and salt. Takamakura, ‘high pillow,’ refers metaphorically to peaceful sleep, free from the worries of this world.”
So simple; made me emotional
