During the Pause
Poems That Embrace the Ideas of Nature, Politics, Racism, Love, Death and Loss, Science, and Philosophy
Tanka poetry, or “short song” poetry, began in seventh-century Japan. The poems follow a simple 5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern with no rhyming or punctuation. This unique structure lends itself to an economy of words and is an eloquent vehicle for emotional expression.
Accompanied by beautiful photographs by the author, this book of Tanka poetry makes an ideal gift and pleasure-filled reading for poetry fans.
PRAISE
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"In this collection, Kenichi Yabusaki takes a deep dive into philosophical moments of reflection through Tanka's poetic form. Using creativity and curiosity, Yabusaki provides his readers with engaging incantations of inner reflection."
-Leighton Chong
Poet and author, "Song of Planet Earth"
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"An incredible piece of philosophy-in-art...thought-provoking, highly philosophical, with heartfelt love of special people, nature, emotions, memories...so much that I can't possibly put into a succinct paragraph all of my enjoyment and appreciation for each poem. I could write a page on each one!"
-Carol R.
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"These poems can apply to one's history and present life."
-Wayne R.
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"I keep your poetry-photo-wisdom book next to my easy chair so that I can look into it to lift my spirits during the day. You revive me from the local, national, and global news of suffering and inhumanity."
-An Anonymous Reader
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"The section on "Death and Loss" is both profound and comforting. It hit home in such an uplifting way."
-Kay C.
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"Kenichi K. Yabusaki presents a gently powerful collection of tanka poetry in During the Pause, an unhurried examination of nature, love, politics, and the self. As the title suggests, these poems are pulled from self-reflection during pauses of the poet's own life, from clear-eyed observations of natural beauty to stark musings on legendary works of art. The artfully structured five-line style is ideal for these savored moments of thought, allowing more flexibility than haikus, with each word carefully chosen and meticulously placed. Offering subtle wisdom and thought-provoking mysteries, this work probes unanswerable questions, but finds peace in the inquiry."
-Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★½
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"I started gazing at the magical pages. On these pages you have offered image, poem, observation, title, and place. In such an harmonious setting you share your feelings and insight with me as a companion in your experience. I was carried away by the experience. Carried away to the heart of what you have experienced and made present. ...you have graciously sent to me a creative and caring response to living the present."
-An Anonymous Reader
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"The cover image at first seems an ordinary scene, but its profundity emerges once we get into the book. For the flow of nature and of our existence is captured by the man in the river of the cover. And we, the readers-explorers of the book, are being led into the flow by the fisherman. The very loop of the fishing line anticipates the outreach and the rounding-up of the contents of the book. In a sense, in this expedition you offer us what you have caught, or what has caught you."
-An Anonymous Reader