Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton – What to expect and a Surprise

My dear followers and subscribers,

This post will explain what to expect from Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton, forthcoming from Literary Revelations.

I want to make it clear from the beginning: Hikari’s fabulous contribution is much bigger than mine. She painted the art and wrote the tanka. I only wrote the foreword and corresponding haiku, approaching her paintings from a different point of view.

So let’s start, because at the end I have a surprise for you.

Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton

Trim: 8X10 inches
Text: English-Japanese
Amazon premium paper glossy
Foreword and bios in English and Japanese
Hardcover and paperback

The novelty brought by the book – Different interpretations of the same image

Hikari’s vibrant brushstrokes capture emotions and moments in time, while her tanka adds layers of meaning that resonate deeply with each piece. My haiku serves as a reflective lens, offering a different perspective on the same visual stimuli. This interplay between our approaches shows how art can be perceived through varied lenses, highlighting the beauty and meaning of our individual interpretations.

In 2003, when my publishing house, Literary Revelations, was still in its infancy, fate brought me to Hikari through a dear friend. The moment I laid eyes on her paintings; I was utterly captivated; they were a breathtaking homage to Japanese art. Each piece resonated with an ethereal beauty—pastels blending seamlessly with the elegance of fans and the grace of swords. It felt as though time stood still for those few seconds as I absorbed the profound artistry before me. Hikari’s work transcends mere aesthetics; it tells stories steeped in tradition and culture, inviting viewers and readers of tanka into a world where every brushstroke holds meaning.

This encounter ignited a spark within me – a desire to collaborate on a project that would not only showcase Hikari’s incredible talent but also convey my unique vision of the art of haiku. Hikari is Japanese, and she spent her young years in Europe. I am a European who now lives in the US. Together, we decided to create something extraordinary that honors both her heritage and my interpretations of the art of haiku.

In the name of our friendship, HAIKU AND TANKA: LULL, HARMONY AND POWER IN JAPANESE ART was born.

[from the foreword]

When you open the book, here is what you will find [the margins will not be there]

English translation of my haiku: Naoki Kimura.

Surprise

Hikari has painted a new fabulous piece for you and written a new tanka. I just wrote a corresponding haiku. Those pieces will not be included in the book.

HIKARI – TANKA

かの君が去りて始まる季節かな木の傘など　わたしは要らぬ

you walked away then
a new season took its place
more fair than before
your shelter was but a show
I stand alone, unshaken

GABRIELA MARIE MILTON – HAIKU

This earth feels too small,
Umbrella of love unfolds—
Time melts on your skin.

I hope you enjoyed this experience. Sending love and hugs to everyone.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Woman: Splendor and Sorrow: Love Poems and Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton in Portland Book Review
Woman: Splendor and Sorrow: Love Poems and Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton in Manhattan Book Review
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings in San Francisco by Gabriela Marie Milton in San Francisco Book Review
Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings by Gabriela Marie Milton In Manhattan Book Reviews

Basque Lore – Witch (Sorginak)-Short Prose – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Amaia moved as if the earth itself exhaled her name. The cup before her shimmered with fern, salt, and a shard of the sea’s first bone—the one that once wrapped around her ankles like a lover unwilling to let go. She broke the root of a tree between her fingers, and the scent of sap rose, thick and sweet as memory.

Her dress slipped from her shoulders, pooling at her feet like dusk surrendering to night. Naked, she began to dance—slowly at first, then with the rhythm of wind through stone, of rivers through veins. The air bent toward her, the mountains listening. Mist gathered around her skin, luminous and alive, her hair trailing down her thighs like spilled ink.

We were children, hidden beneath the bed, breathless. Through the slats, we saw her summon the world back to itself—one movement, one whisper, one trembling note at a time.

Reminder

Please do not forget that in November Literary Revelations will bring you a splendid art album (7X10) by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton.

Title, Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art

Authors, Hikari: Paintings and Tanka.

Gabriela Marie Milton: Haiku

To those of you who are my friends here, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your likes, comments, and support. Love you.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Haunted – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Haunted – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

The streets remember you, every cobblestone etched with the memory of your footsteps, as if the earth itself had been branded by your presence. It’s been three years, yet the imprint of your steps lingers, a haunting echo that refuses to fade. I recall the way we’d dance in the empty streets, lost in the mystic glow of a sunset that unraveled itself just for us. The world melted away, leaving only the soft whisper of our footsteps and the fading light.

You vanished around the corner, turning left into the fading light, and I followed, my heart racing. But when I turned the street was deserted, the silence palpable. Yet, I could still feel the resonance of your steps, the vibrations of your presence lingering in the air. The distant chime of church bells pierced the evening air, and as the darkness gathered, it felt like the very shadows were alive, swirling around me like a shroud. In that moment, I was consumed by the ache of your absence, the longing to be reunited with the ghost of our past.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

A beautiful painting from Hikari for me and a poem by me – Gabriela Marie Milton – for Hikari

My gorgeous followers.

I was absolutely overwhelmed with joy when I learned that Hikari had crafted a stunning piece of art just for me. Her incredible generosity and unmatched talent brought tears to my eyes. The way she wielded those masterful colors struck a chord deep within me, igniting an emotional blaze that I couldn’t contain. I wept, and in the throes of that powerful inspiration, I penned a heartfelt poem dedicated to Hikari.

Painting by Hikari

Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Concentrated smell of roses
Blooms in the night of white spirits
Heavy perfume on midnight’s skin
Thorns soft like tongues in prayers

Why do you think my love
You know the secret language of roses –
The secrets they carry in soft petals’ glow.
The legend speaks of tears and blood
Of the day when the Goddess ripped her clothes
In the bourns-
Who told you, darling that roses are love
They are nightingales caught in blue fingered thorns

Follow me on IG from more poetry and news @gabriela_marie_milton

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

A Haiku by Gabriela Marie Milton – More updates on Lullscapes in Light and Shadow by Naoki Kimura

My dear followers,

As another week gently draws to its close, I want to pause and wish each of you a truly fabulous weekend. May these days be filled with the gentle beauty of quiet moments, the laughter of friends, and the comfort of creative inspiration.

Haiku by Gabriela Marie Milton

I enter your soft dreams,
your lips linger, dew-kissed night,
silence breathes between.

Update: Lullscapes in Light and Shadow

I am delighted to share an update on Naoki Kimura’s remarkable fine art photography and poetry, Lullscapes in Light and Shadow, published by Literary Revelations. The album is still a #1 bestseller in Japan, a Top Release, and a bestseller in the USA. This splendid collection weaves delicate imagery and profound emotion into every line, exploring the interplay between illumination and obscurity in both poetry and fine art photography. Naoki Kimura’s work truly invites readers to wander through landscapes of dream and memory, where each poem is a moment of quiet discovery.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the book. Your enthusiasm and encouragement mean the world, and it is heartwarming to see Lullscapes in Light and Shadow finding its way to readers across the globe.

Thank you, USA!
Thank you, Japan!
Thank you, UK!
Thank you, Canada!

Your love of literature is what keeps stories alive and growing. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has purchased and read the book. May this weekend bring you peace, inspiration, and the gentle glow of words well loved.

For you a poem from Naoki’s album:

Somewhere between heartbeats and breath,
golden whispers coil in stillness,
each filament a promise
that even silence
can wear its own light.
–Naoki Kimura

The featured photo also belongs to Naoki Kimura and it is included in the album.

AMAZON LINK

With warmest thanks and best wishes for the days ahead!

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Eleusinian – Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

My dear readers,

For you, a poem and a photo from my travel, which will continue for a few more days. Thank you for reading.

Eleusinian – Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Beneath the silence of the heated rocks,
Demeter harvests her lost tears,
Tonight, you will be hers, my dear,
Your body arting stones and souls

The ears of the corn will grow in silence,
Secrets of red sweetened lips
Falling to your knees
You’ll drink from my cupped palms
The supplication prayers
Of those you’ve never met

Unknowing who I am,
The goddess’s veil will fall—
Revealing all that once was hidden,
Blooms of blushed and bluish mornings
That once were sacred
and now sleep
Inside the drunken silence
of museums

Eleusis, Greece, August 2025

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Sacredness, a poem by Gabriela Marie Milton and a photo by Naoki Kimura

My dearest followers,

I deeply regret that I can’t explore as many blogs as I’d love to right now, for I’m on an exciting journey! My heart swells with hope that everyone enjoys a spectacular and unforgettable August full of adventure and joy!

I urge you to pause for a moment and soak in the exhilarating news that Literary Revelations Publishing House is on the verge of unveiling a breathtaking fine-art photography and poetry album by the incredibly talented Japanese artist Naoki Kimura. This exquisite album, titled LULLASCAPES IN LIGHT AND SHADOW, is destined to become a treasured collector’s gem. Currently, the artist’s solo exhibition is captivating audiences at the Hilton Tokyo Hotel, showcasing many of the stunning works that will grace our album. Stay tuned, for this is just the beginning of the artistic journey that awaits!

Naoki Kimura sent me a photo from 神嘗祭 (Kannamesai) at Ise Grand Shrine, a harvest festival held at the shrine. The festival is a significant event where the first fruits of the year’s harvest are offered to the deities. It’s one of the most important annual festivals in Japan, with roots tracing back to ancient times. The festival is a way to express gratitude to the gods for the bountiful harvest and to pray for continued prosperity.

I added my humble voice and wrote a poem titled Sacredness for the exceptional photo taken by Naoki Kimura.

Sacredness – poem by Gabriela Marie Milton – photo Naoki Kimura

The fire burns sacred, unseen,
Silent as unfinished steps between,
A path unknown, a whispered quest,
I search for hearts I don’t possess.

Who am I in this endless night,
A shadow cast without a light?
No pulse to claim, no beat to own,
Just echoes where a soul is born.

A glimpse of humbleness
A quiet bow,
A softened breath
Of the unknown

The fragrance of new rice, pure and sweet,
I kneel where earth and heavens meet,
My soul is rising, gentle, deep—
A heart reborn in what I reap.

Between the silence and the song,
Unspoken morning, you belong—
A soul awakened by a light,
Kannamesai’s peace on a fall night.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

A POEM BY GABRIELA MARIE MILTON AND A PHOTO BY NAOKI KIMURA

Good morning/good evening, my cherished followers:

Today: A POEM BY GABRIELA MARIE MILTON AND A PHOTO BY NAOKI KIMURA.

I hope you enjoy:

PHOTO

Naoki Kimura

POEM/SHORT PROSE

She perched at the corner of the old archway, her floral dress blooming against the steel, her eyes the green of rain-soaked moss.

“Hey, lady. Want me to read your future?”
“No, thank you.”
“Ever been sick?”
“No.”
“Ever had surgery?”
“No.”
“Broken bones?”
“No.”
“They’ve tied your health.”
“What?”
“Now, they can’t touch you.”
“Who are they?”

She laughed—a strange, yellow laughter, sweet and sour.

“Let me tell you your future.”
“No, thanks.”

I quickened my pace, heart thumping.

When I reached the center of the arch, I glanced back. She was gone—vanished like a forgotten dream.

My future flickered before my eyes:
a vision in black and white, sharp as shadows, silent as stone.

It rained that day.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Attic Melancholy – poetic prose/poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

In this attic, there is no light anymore. Nothing penetrates the small windows from which we used to watch the moon’s rays playing on the chestnut leaves during our first autumn.
In darkness, I sit down and wrap a piece of a burned candle around loves which are born out of pity. How pathetic.
I hear a whisper: perhaps my old toys locked inside the old Spanish chest. They still talk among themselves, don’t they?
You were right. I’ve never been what I appeared to be: an ordinary girl walking in the streets and drinking mocktails in bars.

I used to laugh. Yet you did not drown in my laughter. You vanished inside my melancholy; inside the dead world to which I’ve always aspired. You’ve remained there forbidding my laughter for fear of not forgetting me.
Oh, that loyalty of yours amid all temptations.

The night is blessed with darkness, which makes way for light in the morning.

I am the night.

Nobody escapes me.

You knew it.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

Reminder

In August, Literary Revelations is set to unveil a stunning album of fine-art photography by the acclaimed Japanese artist Naoki Kimura. Measuring a refined 8.3 inches wide by 11.7 inches tall, this collection promises to be a visual feast, printed on the finest paper that Amazon offers.

What sets Kimura’s work apart is his unparalleled mastery of monochrome photography, which exquisitely captures the mesmerizing dance of light and shadows—transforming each image into a profound experience. The artist’s extraordinary photographic technique has garnered him countless awards and provided him with the opportunity to showcase his fervent dedication to beauty in art at numerous prestigious international exhibitions.

The collection also includes short prose, haiku, and tanka, written by Naoki Kimura.

This album is a collector’s piece. I hope you will enjoy it.

MATADOR – A POEM BY GABRIELA MARIE MILTON

Art: Bullfight (Spanish: Suerte de Varas) is an 1824 oil painting by Francisco Goya

MATADOR

in Salamanca’s golden square,
Where ancient stones remember pain,
The crimson sun, the dust- my reign

Red is my dress , the crowd ignites—
A sea of faces, hope and dread.

The bull, a shadow forged in night.

And you, my matador, in shining thread,
The cape—a flick, a whispered prayer—
Red as the roses on the grave.
The dance of death…

Now I scribble words in lonely Sundays,
Echoes of bull fights in Salamanca …

REMINDER:

Literary Revelations anthologies, including Hidden in Childhood and Petals of Haiku: An Anthology, alongside Tranquility: An Anthology of Haiku, are soaring back to the pinnacle of success in the US. These remarkable works have reclaimed their status as #1 Amazon Bestsellers, with one even capturing the incredible #2 position on the charts!

As a heartfelt token of our deepest gratitude for your unwavering loyalty, and recognizing that some of our beloved authors may not have had the means to purchase our cherished books, we are thrilled to offer all three of these literary treasures completely free for a limited time!

Please take a moment to leave a review, if you can. After all, if you don’t, how will our message reach more people? We can’t exactly send carrier pigeons anymore!

LINKS (E-book versions free)

If the links do not work for you please search for the books on Amazon.

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Thank you to all my followers who reviewed my books.
Please read other reviews here:

“With lush language and lavish imagery, Gabriela M. evokes a fantastic world ripe with emotion.”
Christina Schwarz, the author of the New York Times Bestseller “Drowning Ruth.”

Tag: poem

Haiku and Tanka: Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton – What to expect and a Surprise

Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton

The novelty brought by the book – Different interpretations of the same image

Surprise

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Like this:

Basque Lore – Witch (Sorginak)-Short Prose – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Basque Lore – Witch (Sorginak)-Short Prose – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Reminder

Like this:

Haunted – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Haunted – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Like this:

A beautiful painting from Hikari for me and a poem by me – Gabriela Marie Milton – for Hikari

Painting by Hikari

Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Follow me on IG from more poetry and news @gabriela_marie_milton

Like this:

A Haiku by Gabriela Marie Milton – More updates on Lullscapes in Light and Shadow by Naoki Kimura

Haiku by Gabriela Marie Milton

Update: Lullscapes in Light and Shadow

Like this:

Eleusinian – Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Eleusinian – Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Like this:

Sacredness, a poem by Gabriela Marie Milton and a photo by Naoki Kimura

Sacredness – poem by Gabriela Marie Milton – photo Naoki Kimura

Like this:

A POEM BY GABRIELA MARIE MILTON AND A PHOTO BY NAOKI KIMURA

Like this:

Attic Melancholy – poetic prose/poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Like this:

MATADOR – A POEM BY GABRIELA MARIE MILTON

LINKS (E-book versions free)

Like this:

Lull, Harmony, and Power in Japanese Art by Hikari and Gabriela Marie Milton

The novelty brought by the book – Different interpretations of the same image

Surprise

My books (Only English)#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis) #1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)

Like this:

Basque Lore – Witch (Sorginak)-Short Prose – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Reminder

Like this:

Haunted – Poetic Prose by Gabriela Marie Milton

Like this:

Painting by Hikari

Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Follow me on IG from more poetry and news @gabriela_marie_milton

Like this:

Haiku by Gabriela Marie Milton

Update: Lullscapes in Light and Shadow

Like this:

Eleusinian – Poem by Gabriela Marie Milton

Like this:

Sacredness – poem by Gabriela Marie Milton – photo Naoki Kimura

Like this:

Like this:

Like this:

LINKS (E-book versions free)

Like this:

My books (Only English)
#1 Amazon bestseller, Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings (Vita Brevis)
#1 Amazon Bestseller, Women: Splendor and Sorrow (Vita Brevis)