Ripe Buds – An Ameri-Ku

©Ameri-Ku by Joni Caggiano – Photograph by Joni Caggiano

Patterns moving on grandma’s quilt
sun turning our youthful skin pink like ample florets,

ripe buds open with a sigh in red clay
tender caresses melt the freckles on my cheeks,

smelling lavender mixing with your desire
you trace I love you, on my firm thighs, I grow weak

 

The Ameri-Ku/Euro-Ku is a style of poetry created by Francisco Bravo Cabrera (aka Valenciartist). This style is an homage to the traditional Japanese Haiku that highlights aspects of American/European/Western culture.

53 Comments Add yours

  1. Cassa Bassa says:

    This is just hitting all the right notes. All senses ignigjted. Wonderful poetry Joni! 💚💞

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Cassa. I am delighted you enjoyed it. Thank you. Truth be known I had to walk into a neighbor’s yard to get that photograph. I was immediately met with a very good neighborhood watch person. I apologized to the neighbor when he returned and he seemed fine about it. Nice to know people are looking out for each other. I won’t step onto someone else’s yard again without permission. Have an amazing weekend my friend. Love ❤️ Joni

      1. Cassa Bassa says:

        That was an advanture Joni! 😀

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        You are always so kind. Thank you Cassa. Big hugs to you. ❤️🤗

  2. kenhume79 says:

    Beautiful Joni! 😁❤️👏

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you so much Ken. Hope you have an amazing week. Hugs and love to you and your family. ❤️🤗🦋

      1. kenhume79 says:

        Fingers crossed Joni! 🤞🙏 As last 2 weeks have been fun! 😛😂 Anne & myself both had Covid. I still have it but it’s at the tail end of it. Thankfully! And am aunt of my wife died. Anne was like a daughter to her as she’d no kids of her own. 🙁

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        Ken I am so very sorry to hear this sad news. I am also sorry you have been so sick. I am so sorry about your wife’s aunt. What a loss for your wife and so sad as she was still likely young. I will pray for your family Ken. We have seen many people in our neighborhood get Civid lately, all vaccinated and boostered. There are two new strains even more contagious then Omnicron. I truly hope you are both 100 percent soon. Blessings to you and please give your wife my condolences. Love to your family my friend. 🌺🌹💕🌸💝💐

      3. kenhume79 says:

        Yeh, same here Joni. 👍 All vaccinated & boosted too! Ah she was 79 years old and had suffered from advanced dementia 7 years of her life. A horrible disease, plays awful tricks on your mind! Wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy. Hopefully she’s at peace now. 🤞🙏😇Thanks very much for all your kind thoughts and wishes! 😊

      4. jonicaggiano says:

        Oh I am sorry to hear that. She was an early onset dementia victim. So hard on the families. I too hope she is at peace now, you are right that is a horrible disease. My pleasure Ken and thanks for letting me know so I could pray for your family. Big hugs and blessings. ❤️🤗🦋🙏

      5. kenhume79 says:

        Can be very difficult when they don’t recognise you alright. 👍Or when they start to get frustrated with themselves. No problem Joni, I know it’d go straight from you to God and no one else.🙏😊 Mind yourself; stay creative and take care. 🤞🙏😁

      6. jonicaggiano says:

        You too my friend. ❤️🤗🦋🌹

  3. A beautiful photo and and enchanting poem. Love the line “ripe buds open with a sigh…”
    Your poetry is a blessing Joni. Keep on!
    Blessings and much love to you, my friend.

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you so very much Suzette for your kind words.
      “Your poetry is a blessing Joni.”

      Well you just made my day with that line, thank you so much. Blessings and love to you too my friend. Big hugs too. ❤️🤗🤗🦋

      1. Always a pleasure Joni. Blessings. And hugs back to you😊

  4. Nancy Richy says:

    I love this but am not familiar with the style. Would you mind explaining it to me? Is there a particular cadence, rhythm or number of syllables to Ameri-ku? Fascinating to learn new things! 🌟

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Hi Nancy and thank you so much for reading. I am going to refer you to a link: https://paintinginvalencia.wordpress.com/2022/02/23/my-new-poetic-invention-the-euro-ku/ Francisco Bravo Cabrera the exceptionally talented man who came up with this style explains it very well. The Ameri-Ku has the same exact rules of the Euro-Ku but follows the culture and traditions of the western world. I believe he talks about that as well. Francisco is an world known artist, a talented musician, an excellent photographer and writes beautiful poetry as well. I was drawn to his work the first time I saw it and knew there was something special about it. His faith is often seen in his work as is his love for life. If you are interested here is a feature about a piece of art my husband and I had commissioned. We wanted many faucets of our faith shown in the work and this also shows one of his commissioned pieces up closely. https://the-inner-child.com/2022/03/13/featuring-francisco-bravo-cabreradance-of-praisean-original-commissioned-piece/ Have a blessed day.

      1. Nancy Richy says:

        This is wonderful, Joni. Looking forward to reading all about it. I’m relatively new to poetry and haiku but always willing to learn. Thanks for sharing! 🌟

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        Me too. I love reading new styles of poetry. You are very welcome. Sending hugs and wishes for an incredible week. ❤️🤗

  5. Ingrid says:

    🥰

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Hi Ingrid hope your day is a blessed one. It sure looked like you had an amazing vacation with your beautiful children. Big hugs, Joni ❤️🤗

      1. Ingrid says:

        Thank you Joni 🤗

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        My pleasure, “children are a heritage from the Lord.” They are both handsome young guys. It was nice that you share so much of our journey. Big hugs 🤗

      3. Ingrid says:

        They are indeed, Joni 🥰

      4. jonicaggiano says:

        🦋❤️

  6. Very nice, Joni. It stirs movement in the heart. 🙂

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Tim. I am glad you felt this piece. Thank you for your kind comment. I think you have a big heart. Love to you and your family. ❤️

  7. So sweet, so sensual, beautiful Joni!!!:)

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Tiffany. I am so grateful you enjoyed it. It was a bit on the sensual side!! Sending my love to you and your sweetheart. ❤️🤗

  8. HensBlooms says:

    Wonderful poetry Joni 🌸💕 beautifully written. Thank you for the introduction Ameri-Ku poetry.

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      You are so welcome. Francisco Bravo Cabrera really gets the credit. He developed the first Euro-Ku and set the style and rules for this newly created way to write poetry. Sending you and your family hugs and love. ❤️🦋

  9. Gently moving into sensuality. Leaving childhood. Done so sweetly.

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Oh thank you my my wise friend. We will be married 26 years July 13th. Sending you lots of love. ❤️

      1. THAT is something to celebrate! ❤️

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        Thank you and I am with my best friend so an even bigger blessing. Sending love ❤️

  10. haoyando says:

    Hmm, it comes from Haiku but it doesn’t really show much Haiku characters. Or probably I am missing something. LOL.

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      You are not missing anything my friend. It does not have the rigid requirements of the Haiku which is very specific and of course a beautiful style. There are so many different types of poetry. https://the-inner-child.com/2022/03/04/ameri-ku-after-all-these-years ( this link should take you into the rules that the originator created. Big hugs my friend!

  11. Americaoncoffee says:

    I enjoy your poetic expressions! 🍮🍮👍👍❤️❤️

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      That makes me smile. So glad you do and I appreciate your reading. You are always so very busy my friend. Sending out lots of big hugs and lots of love and smiles……. xoxoxoxo

      1. Americaoncoffee says:

        You should teach poetry in the form of abstract thinking. )))💗((( hugs back!

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        What an extremely kind comment. You have touched my heart today with these words, thank you so much sincerely. Sending fresh baked pastries and a pot of fresh pressed coffee to keep your morning hopping. Sending hugs and love, Joni

      3. Americaoncoffee says:

        Oh I mean it from my heart sweetie. You are exceptional! Thank you for your yummies!💕🍮🍮

      4. Americaoncoffee says:

        You know…… comments made by aoc are not posting. I responded earlier that I am sincere about your teaching poetry online. You have what it takes. Thank you again for the yummy treats! Warm Hugs! 🍮🍮💞

      5. jonicaggiano says:

        So glad I found this is the pending folder, this has made my day and has me smiling my friend. Thank you for your kindness. Sending much love to you and your loved ones as well. xoxoxoxoxo

      6. Americaoncoffee says:

        Thank you very much for all of your kindness Joni! 🎶💞🍮🍮

      7. jonicaggiano says:

        This kind note also ending up in the pending folder. Wishing you the biggest and most wonderful celebration this Easter. Wishing you a day filled with love, laughter and blessings. Big hugs to you. xoxoxoxo

  12. gorgeous lines Joni! love your poem! 💖

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Cindy for reading and I am glad you enjoyed the piece. Sending you big hugs and blessings for this special weekend. Love you, ❤️ Joni

      1. You’re so welcome!!! I always love your work and thanks for the blessings and love.. Back at you my soul sister! 💖💖💖

  13. Mia Winhertt says:

    Just beautiful, Joni! Really! 💕😊

    1. jonicaggiano says:

      Thank you Mia. So glad you enjoyed it. Big hugs and love to you!! ❤️🤗🦋

      1. Mia Winhertt says:

        🤗❤

      2. jonicaggiano says:

        xoxoxoxoox

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