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Senryu Series & Photos: Homing Pigeons, Ships Homeported, Yokosuka #tankatuesday

early evening
before homing pigeons glide home
the serenity

the only sound
the break of waves and wing song
pigeons flying home

nesting on calm seas
navy ships pending orders
sweet dreams will come cheap

winter evening
ships home, far away from home
watching the full day

resting ships
teeter to cadence
calm wind song

© selmamartin.com

Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) is the world’s largest overseas U.S.
Naval installation and is considered one of the most strategically important bases
in the U.S. Military– part of the United States Pacific Fleet.

Fleet Activities, Yokosuka comprises 568 acres and is located 43 miles south of Tokyo
at the entrance of Tokyo Bay, approximately 18 miles south of Yokohama.

Yokosuka is on the Miura peninsula in the Kanto Plain region of the Pacific Coast in
Central Honshu, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

Currently, it is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with 50 to 70 ships,
150 aircraft, and 27,000 Sailors and Marines.

Yokosuka is three train stations south of where I live, and needing a break from my
‘regular’ routine, I ventured south on the one sunny day we had this week. Of course,
I cannot enter Navy grounds, so I walked on the spacious wooden boardwalk of the
gorgeous harborfront park, Verny Park, across from the Base and, from there, took
pictures to share with you.

(All photos in this post are by the Author)
If you wish to see more photos of Verny Park, named after Verny, the French naval
engineer who directed the construction of the Yokosuka Arsenal, please click on this
link.

Or click the CFAY link to see more photos/information about the Navy Base.



This post is written for Colleen’s TankaTuesday Weekly Wordcraft Poetry for January
17th. I hope you liked my senryu series.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 39 Comments

  1. Conny

    I love how this series of senryu pivots from calm to foreboding. The mood just changes. That’s great writing, Selma. You’ve really captured that sense of unease.

  2. Sadje

    Ever changing situation. Great poem.

      1. Sadje

        You’re most welcome

  3. yvettemcalleiro

    That was a great poem, and those shots are phenomenal! Thanks for sharing!

    Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
    htpp://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com

  4. Colleen M. Chesebro

    These are lovely, Selma. I love your photos. Always fun to see what you’re up to! 🧡

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks, Colleen. Glad you enjoyed. Blessing on your weekend. Xoxox

  5. rajkkhoja

    Lovely poem written you. Wonderful photo.

    1. Selma Martin

      Glad you liked the photos. Thanks for the support. Xo

  6. Ellie Thompson

    I love your poem, Selma, and your photos are absolutely gorgeous. I particularly liked the image at the top – a stunning view and a beautiful shot. Thanks for sharing them. Xx 💖😘

    1. D.L. Finn, Author

      Great photos and the poetic story behind it.

    2. Selma Martin

      So glad you enjoyed these. Ellie. Blessing you XoXo

  7. memadtwo

    This has a nice rocking rhythm like a ship in port, like the end of the day. (K)

    1. ben Alexander

      This is such a classic, beautiful Kerfe observation.

      1. Selma Martin

        Thanks for observing that, David. Kerfe is so on point. And you too. XoXo

    2. Selma Martin

      Like a ship— yes, like the waves lapping on a ship. That’s how it is. Thanks for saying this. Blessings.

  8. Ingrid

    Very interesting, Selma – thank you for sharing! 🙂

    1. Selma Martin

      My pleasure, Ingrid
      Yay!

      (btw: purchased Archery 🏹 should arrive on Friday. Hopefully I can put in a review shortly 👏) blessing you. Xoxo.

      1. Ingrid

        Thank you so much, Selma! Pls 🤫 until release day (1 Feb) ❤️

        1. Selma Martin

          Yes, yes. Hopefully by launch day or thereafter. I got you 😉 💕 👍🏼

  9. ben Alexander

    Your senryu flow beautifully one into the next, Selma – wonderful!

    <3
    David

    1. Selma Martin

      David, so pleased you read. I’m honored to hear your thoughts.

  10. Elizabeth

    Stunning photos and beautiful poem!

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks Elizabeth. I’m so pleased you read. Blessings to you as we wait for spring 🐇 🌺 🌱

  11. grammikb

    I also was in Yokosuka the weekend after New Years. My father came with me to visit my daughter. He served there in the late 50’s. I wonder if we crossed paths without knowing it. What a small world we live in.

    1. Selma Martin

      The possibility of us crossing paths is huge: We visited the area on that weekend as well. Wow.
      So your daughter lives here right now. Super. I hope she likes it. I’ve been here for 30+ years and love it…

      And Dad, how did he like being back for a visit? Wow, that’s something! Bless him.
      Small world, indeed. Thanks so more for sharing this with me. Stupendous!
      Those ships at the base, lit up at night are quite a sight. We passed the area again last night. Blessings be. Xoxo

      1. grammikb

        Wow! My daughter has lived there 10 years now, and loves it. Don’t see her ever coming back to the states. My father loves Japan, always has. Seven of his thirteen great grandchildren are part Japanese. My brother also spent 20 years there in the military. Maybe I’ll touch bases with you the next time I visit. Blessings.

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