I - Imayo: Inés

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The Imayo is a 4-line Japanese poem that has 12 syllables in each line. There is a planned pause (caesura)) between the first 7 syllables and the final 5 in each line.  I created those pauses as best I could! 

The Imayo was originally written to be sung, but that's not a requirement. Poets have free range on subject matter.

Inés is my name for this painting on canvas I found unrolled in the dirt of a yard sale.  I got it for under $1.00.  

She watches out the window, as she often does.
Light shines behind her; there's a gap in the curtains.
Her vigil began at dawn, it is evening now.
Soon she'll sigh, close the gap, and slowly climb the stairs.

©2026 Lisa Smith Nelson. All Rights Reserved  

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