VASILE MOLDOVAN

Dac Shichi Kat are dreptate atunci cnd afirm c

Haiku-ul nu este o form poetic de natur s dezvolte o idee
sau s dea expresie unei gndiri, ci tinde s se concentreze,
- haiku -
n esen, asupra unei impresii de moment, nu este mai puin
adevrat c impresiile de moment devin poezie doar atunci
cnd aparin acelor puini poei capabili s le dea ntruchipri
metaforice aparte. Iar Vasile Moldovan este, fr ndoial,
unul dintre ei. Cartea de fa o dovedete cu prisosin.

In case Shichi Kat is right when he states that The

haiku is not a poetry sort able to develop an idea or to express
a thought, but tends to focus itself on a moments impression,
it is not less true that the moments impressions become
poetry only when they belong to the few poets able to embody
them in special metaphors. Vasile Moldovan is, without any
doubt, one of them. This book proves it in abundance.

Florentin Popescu
Editura ORION
ISBN 973-8020-66-2 Bucureti 2005
 VASILE MOLDOVAN

Descrierea CIP a Bibliotecii Naionale a Romniei

MOLDOVAN, VASILE
Ikebana: haiku / Vasile Moldovan. Bucureti:
Orion, 2005
IKEBANA
ISBN 973-8020-66-2
- haiku -
821.135.1-1

Redactor de carte: Dan Floric

Versiunea englez: Cristian-Mihail Miehs
Tehnoredactare i copert: Ioan Ganea

Tipografia FT - FRUMOS

Editura ORION
ISBN 973-8020-66-2 Bucureti 2005
 Cuvnt nainte:

...FRUNZELE FAGULUI
LUMINATE DE NINSOARE
...Aa definete autorul acestei cri o sear de iarn, ntr-unul
din cele mai frumoase poeme haiku din Ikebana, carte al crui
ntreg se constituie ntr-un ciclu al anotimpurilor vzute i trite cu
profund sensibilitate i un acut sim al observaiei.
Haiku-ul, gen de poezie specific Japoniei, ilustrat cu strlucire mai
ales de ctre Matsuo Bash, tritor n veacul al XVII-lea, are n
Romnia o istorie scurt, poate cea mai scurt dintre toate genurile
literare care s-au practicat i se practic la noi dintotdeauna. Cci,
dei atenia publicului asupra haiku-ului fusese atras de Al. T.
Stamatiad nc din 1936, prin volumul Peisagii sentimentale (unde
tiprea multe texte care se circumscriau genului), abia dup 1973,
cnd Aurel Ru a publicat cartea n inima lui Yamato, 9 priviri
lirice asupra Japoniei (Editura Albatros, 1973), n care includea i
cteva micropoeme n stil haiku, privirea barzilor de la noi a nceput
s se aplece ctre aceast form de poezie, fascinant prin concizie,
prin limpezime i mai ales prin capacitatea de a pune n circulaie
simboluri lesne i plcut perceptibile de ctre cititor. Regula strict a
alctuirii unui haiku (adic trei versuri a cte 5-7-5 silabe, respectiv
17 silabe n total) nu pare s fi dat poeilor romni senzaia
ncorsetrii, a chingilor impuse ab initio i de aceea nu este de mirare
c au nceput s se scrie la noi haiku-uri pe scar larg (n treact fie
spus, o istorie a acestei poezii create n Romnia ar cuprinde un larg
evantai de nume, de la Nichita Stnescu i tefan Augustin Doina,
pn la cei mai tineri poei) - ceea ce a impus, nu numai editarea unei

3
 reviste de profil, Haiku, - creia i-au urmat Albatros, Orion,
Orfeu, Hermitage-, ci i nfiinarea n primvara anului 1991 a
Societii Romne de Haiku, al crei fondator a fost Florin Vasiliu,
autor al mai multor cri despre Japonia, el nsui creator de haiku.
Trecnd ns peste aceast istorie, pe ct de scurt, tot pe att de
bogat n mpliniri (au aprut i apar n continuare numeroase cri
de haiku, multe dintre ele de real valoare) i revenind la autorul
crii de fa, se cuvine s facem din capul locului precizarea c
avem a face cu un scriitor care s-a luat pe sine n serios i care nu
este la prima sa apariie editorial n domeniu ceea ce dovedete,
nainte de toate, c este un mptimit iubitor de haiku, un autor care a
tiut s ne apropie de acest gen de poezie deopotriv cu gndul i cu
inima, nelegndu-i resorturile intime i apoi, printr-un firesc proces
de empatie, s ntre n hainele barzilor din ndeprtata ar oriental,
Japonia, reuind , n etapa urmtoare, s ne dea el nsui creaii lirice
de autentic vibraie, transpunnd poetic observaii i simboluri
interesante. Cci, dac haiku-ul i trage seva din fenomenalitatea
naturii, care se constituie ca principal surs n tematica
micropoemului, cum bine i exact observa Florin Vasiliu (vezi
cartea lui Japonia necunoscut, Editura Europa Nova, Bucureti,
1999, p.320), se cuvine menionat c i din acest punct de vedere
poetul Vasile Moldovan se nscrie n canoanele tematice impuse de
Matsuo Bash i respectate de toi cei care l-au urmat pe canavaua
istoriei nipone, i nu numai, a acestei poezii.
Vasile Moldovan este, pe de alt parte, cel puin prin tematic, dar
i printr-o anume manier de a reaciona n faa frumuseilor, mereu
schimbtoare ale naturii, un poet ce continu o ndelungat i rodnic
tradiie a poeziei romneti. Scriind despre pduri i lacuri, despre
copaci i zpezi, despre flori i psri, domnia sa are afiniti i cu
poeii ruinurilor (Heliade, Alexandrescu, Crlova) i cu delicaii D.
Anghel i t. O. Iosif, G. Toprceanu sau, uitatul azi, Alfred Mooiu
4 5
(autor al Rugciunii florilor), dar i cu modernii Bacovia,
Macedonski sau Ion Pillat.
Acest adevrat calendar al anotimpurilor, pe care l ai acum n fa
stimate cititor, trimite cu gndul la fermectoarele pasteluri ale lui
Alecsandri, cu care poetul de fa pare a se ntlni n triri i
sensibilitate, propunnd lectorului o benefic i necesar evadare din
veacul nervos i general mecanizat , n mijlocul naturii, ndemnnd
la trirea sentimentelor curate pe care aceasta ni le inspir.
Intitulndu-i volumul n chip simbolic Ikebana, termen pe care
legenda l atribuie prinului Shotoku (574-622) i care definete arta
de aranjare a florilor (Elementul central al ikebanei servete
totdeauna drept legtur ntre o ramur nalt i una joas, aa cum
omul se afl situat ntre pmnt i cer, iar florile se aleg n funcie de
lunile anului; floarea de prun evoc luna februarie, glicina luna mai,
crizantema luna octombrie, etc. Vezi i Florentin Popescu
Diviniti, simboluri i mistere orientale, V, Japonia, Editura
Floarea Darurilor, Bucureti, 2003, p.97), Vasile Moldovan
sugereaz el nsui o ikebana poetic, realizat din imagini i
metafore. Axa central pe care sunt ornduite florile domniei sale
este Cumpna anilor i constituie un bun prilej de meditaie i
vibraie n faa celor apropiate: Zorii Anului Nou- / Crivul cnt/
n conuri de brad sau Ziua Anului Nou - / miresme proaspete n
casa veche: / cetin de brad.
Din caligrafiile ce amintesc de stampele n care din doar cteva
linii i cteva pete de culoare se ncheag un peisaj am mai reinut
diverse alte imagini sugestive. Iat, bunoar, cteva din
Miresmele primverii: Nici muguri, nici flori - / totui, primul
fluture: / vntul primverii; Attea antene/ racordate la
Cosmos.../ Florile de prun; Noapte de martie - /florile de prun
luminnd / toat livada; Miezul nopii- / luna odihnindu-se/ ntr-
un mr nflorit.
 Cu Umbrele verii registrul se schimb, poetul lsnd s se
ntrevad aburii dimineii i cldurile toride de la amiaz: Un nou
rsrit-/ rochia rndunicii/ explodnd n lumin; Nori peste
pajite- / puful de ppdie/ n voia vntului; Amiaz de var-/
florile fr umbr/ tnjesc dup rcoare; Zilele lui Cuptor-/
umbra nsetat/ a unui plop alb.
Iar dac vara e prin excelen a vizualului, anotimpul urmtor
aparine auditivului, poetul tiind s deslueasc imagini i simboluri
din Sunetele toamnei: Geam ntredeschis - / civa oaspei
nepoftii:/ frunzele toamnei; Frunz de brustur -/ adpostul de-o
noapte / al libelulei; La fiecare / croncnit de cioar / plopul
pierde-o frunz; Elicoptere / n pdurea de arari: / cntecul
toamnei.
i ca ntr-un cerc care se nchide, ori ca ntr-o stamp ce caut s-i
defineasc marginile, iarna ntregete peisajul (peisajele) n care
poetul observ, dar i ascult, triete, sufer sau se bucur laolalt
cu copacii, florile sau cu psrile: Prima ninsoare - / peste
crizantemele albe / flori de ghea; Sear de iarn - /frunzele
fagului luminate / de ninsoare; Stejar desfrunzit - / n vrful su
revigorate / frunze de vsc; n miezul iernii / o floare uria: /
nsui muntele.
Dac Shuichi Kat are dreptate atunci cnd afirm c Haiku-ul
nu este o form poetic de natur s dezvolte o idee sau s dea
expresie unei gndiri, ci tinde s se concentreze, n esen, asupra
unei impresii de moment (Vezi Shuichi Kat, Istoria literaturii
japoneze, Editura Nipponica, Bucureti, 1998, vol.1, p. 446 i urm.),
nu este mai puin adevrat c impresiile de moment devin poezie
doar atunci cnd aparin acelor puini poei capabili s le dea
ntruchipri metaforice aparte. Iar Vasile Moldovan este, fr
ndoial, unul dintre ei. Cartea de fa o dovedete cu prisosin.
27 Mrior, 2005
FLORENTIN POPESCU
6 7
Foreword:
THE COPPER BEECHS LEAVES
LIT BY THE SNOWFALL
... Thats how the poet defines in this book a winter evening, in
one of the most beautiful haikus in his entire book. The book, in its
entirety, represents the cycle of the seasons, seen and lived with a
deep tenderness and a high perceptive faculty.
The haiku is a type of poetry specific to Japan, and it was illustrated
with masterliness by Matsuo Bash, who lived in the 17th century. In
Romania, the haiku has a short history, maybe the shortest of all
sorts of poetry that where plasticized and still are poeticized at us. In
spite of the fact that the attention of the public was drawn on the
haiku by Al. T. Stamatiad, even since 1936, in the volume Peisagii
sentimentale (Sentimental Landscapes), in which he has
published many texts of that kind, only since 1973, after Aurel Ru
has published some haiku-style micropoems in his book n inima lui
Yamato, 9 priviri lirice asupra Japoniei (In the heart of Yamato,
nine lyric glimpses on Japan), Albatros Publishing House, 1973,
the Romanian bards began to approach this sort of poetry, so
fascinating through concision, clearness and, mainly, by its
capability to circulate symbols, easily and pleasantly perceivable by
the reader. The strict rule for writing a haiku (namely three verses of
5-7-5 syllables, totalizing 17 syllables) seems not to have created to
the poets a sensation of constraint, of straps set ab initio, and thats
why it is not surprising that in Romania the poets began to write
haikus on a large scale. A history of this poetry, created in Romania,
will include a wide palette of names, ranging from Nichita Stnescu
and tefan Augustin Doina to the youngest poets. Consequently, not
only a haiku magazine was published, - being followed by
Albatros, Orion, Orfeu, Hermitage - but also a Haiku Rugciunea florilor [The Flowers Prayer]) but also with the
Society has been founded, just after 1989, by Florin Vasiliu, an
author of several books on Japan and a creator of haiku.
However, we shall not insist on this short but rich in fulfilments
history (lots of haiku books appeared, many of them of a real value),
and we shall return to the poet who wrote this book. We must begin
by telling that he is a writer who considers his work, with
seriousness and who is not at his first published book fact that
proves, first of all, that he is a fierce lover of haiku, an author who
has known how top approach this type of poetry, at the same time
with the heart and with the mind, understanding its intimate spheres,
and then, by an empathy process, to wear the clothes of the bards
from the distant eastern country named Japan. In the next phase, he
managed to achieve authentic lyrical creations, by transposing in a
poetical manner interesting reflections and symbols.
The haiku extracts its vigour from the phenomena of nature, which
are the main source for the subjects of those micropoems as exactly
and rightly observed Florin Vasiliu in his book Japonia
necunoscut (The Unknown Japan), Europa Nova Publishing Symbols, Divinities and Mysteries and Japan], by Florentin
House, Bucharest, 1999, p. 320. Also from this point of view, we
must mention that Mr. Vasile Moldovan complies with the themes
which were imposed by Matsuo Basho and are observed by all those
who have followed him on the canvas of the Nippon (and not only
Nippon) history of this kind of poetry.
On the other side, at least with regard to the subjects, but also by the
manner he reacts to the permanently changing beauty of nature, Mr.
Vasile Moldovan is a poet who continues the long and fruitful
tradition of the Romanian poetry. By writing about forests and lakes,
trees and snows, flowers and birds, he has affinities both with the
poets of the ruins (Heliade, Alexandrescu, Crlova) and with the
8 9
delicate poets Dimitrie Anghel, St. O. Iosif, G. Toprceanu and with
the today forgotten poet- Alfred Mooiu (author of the
modern poets as Bacovia, Macedonski or Ion Pillat. This real
calendar of the seasons you have in front of you, dear reader, makes
you also think to the charming pastels of Alecsandri, whom the
present poet seems to meet in the feelings and sensibility, by
proposing to the reader a beneficial and necessary evasion, out of
our nervous and much too mechanized century, in the middle of the
nature, by urging to the experience of the pristine feelings it is
inspiring us.
He symbolically named his volume Ikebana, word attributed by
legend to the prince Shotoku (574-622), which defines the art of
arranging flowers. (The central element of the Ikebana bouquet of
flowers is always a link between a high and a low twig, in the same
way as the man is placed between the Earth and the Skies; the
flowers are selected according to the months of the year. The plum
flower evokes the month of February, the wistaria represents May,
the chrysanthemum - the month of October, etc. See also the volume
Diviniti, simboluri i mistere orientale i Japonia [Eastern
Popescu, published by Floarea Darurilor Publishing House,
Bucharest, 2003, p. 97). In his book, Mr. Vasile Moldovan suggests
himself an Ikebana, a poetical one, built up of images and
metaphors. The central axis on which his flowers are arranged
consists of the Turn of the Year, which represents a good
opportunity for meditation and vibration in front of the close things:
New Years dawn -/ The northern wind playing / The firs cones
or The New Years Day- / Fresh fragrance in the old house: / Fir-tree
needles.
From the calligraphies that recall the engraving prints, in
whichonly some lines and spots of color create a landscape, I have
retained some other suggestive images. Here are some of the Istoria literaturii japoneze (The History of the Japanese
Fragrances of Spring: Neither flower, nor bud- / Despite this, Literature), Nipponica Publishing House, Bucharest, 1998, p. 446],
the first butterfly: / The wind of spring; Lots of antennas / it is not less true that the moments impressions become poetry
Intercepting the Cosmos ... / The plum blossoms; March evening - only when they belong to the few poets able to embody them in
/ The plum blossoms lighting / The entire orchard; About midnight special metaphors. Vasile Moldovan is, without any doubt, one of
- / The moon is resting for now / In apple blossoms. them. This book proves it in abundance.
With the Summers Shadows, the register is changing, and the
poet allows us to catch a glimpse of morning haze and the scorching March, 17th, 2005
heat of the noon: A new sunrise- / Morning glory bursting / In the
light; Clouds above the meadow- / The dandelions seeds / At the FLORENTIN POPESCU
mercy of the wind; Summer noon- / Flowers without shadows /
Hanker after coolness; Dog days- / The thirsty shadow of / A
trembling poplar.
If the summer is, by excellence, belonging to the visual realm, the
next season belongs to the audile, the bard being able to discern the
images and symbols in the Autumns Sounds: Half open window-
/ Some intruders in the room: / The autumn leaves; Leaf of bur- /
A single nights shelter / Of a dragonfly; At each one crow cry /
Another poplars leaf / Falls dawn; Helicopters flying / In the
maple tree forest - / The autumns song.
And, like in a closing circle, or like in an engraving print which
seeks to define its edges, the winter completes the landscape
(landscapes) the poet not only examines, but also listens to, lives
with, suffers for or rejoices together with the trees, flowers or birds:
The first snowfall- / On the garden-side window / Frost patterns;
Winter evening- / The copper beechs leaves / Lit by the snowfall;
Leafless oak tree- / In its top shining green leaves / Of mistletoe;
In mid-winter / A giant white flower: / The mountain itself, etc.
In case Shuitchi Kat is right when he states that The haiku is not a
poetry sort able to develop an idea or to express a thought, but tends
to focus itself on a moments impression [see Shuitchi Kato

10 11
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

CUMPNA ANILOR TURN OF THE YEAR

O floare rtcit A stray flower

printre focuri de artificii: among the fireworks:
anul ce s-a dus the yesteryear

Zorii Anului Nou - New Years dawn -
crivul cnt the northern wind playing
n conuri de brad the firs cones

Ziua Anului Nou - The New Years Day -
miresme proaspete n casa veche: fresh fragrance in the old house:
cetin de brad fir-tree needles

Caligrafie - First caligraphy
umbra unui pin traversnd a pine trees shade across
poiana nins the snowy clearing

Primul vis din an - The first New Years dream -
rsdind ramuri de mslin transplanting olive branches
n ntreaga lume all over the world

__________________________________________ __________________________________________
12 13
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

MIRESME DE PRIMVAR FRAGRANCES OF SPRING

Nici muguri, nici flori - Neither flower, nor bud -

totui, primul fluture: despite this, the first butterfly:
vntul primverii the wind of spring

Nori albicioi Whitish clouds
peste copacii ntunecai... over the darkened trees...
- Va ploua ? Nu va ploua ? - Will it rain ? Wont it rain ?

- Ghioceilor, Hey, you, snowdrops,
de ce v grbii ? why such a hurry ?
Se-ntoarce iarna ! The winter returns !

Deteptarea ! Sound the reveille !
Cteva flori rsar printre Some sleepless flowers are rising
muguri somnoroi from among the sleepy buds

Attea antene Lots of antennas
racordate la Cosmos... intercepting the Cosmos ...
Florile de prun The plum blossoms

______________________________________
14 15
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Primvara devreme, Early spring,

sub dulcea povar a florilor, under the sweet load of flowers
pomi fr frunze leafless trees

Main n pan - An old broken car -
printre piulie i uruburi, between scattered nuts and bolts
firul ierbii the rising grass stalks

Lumini pe rm - Blue lights on the shore-
semnale de cea i fog signals and tinkling
clinchet de toporai of bluebells

Vnt de primvar - Spring wind -
pe covorul de omt on the bed of melting snow
petale de prun fallen plum petals

Noapte de martie - March evening -
florile de prun luminnd plum blossoms lighting
toat livada the entire orchard

Noapte luminat - Lighted night -
printre florile de prun among the plum blossoms,
lumina lunii the moonlight

______________________________________
16 17
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Pomi fr frunze Leafless trees

doldora de flori - chock-full of flowers -
miresme de primvar fragrances of spring

Vpaia lunii - The moons blaze -
un arbore uscat a barren apple tree
nflorete i el blossoming too

Miezul nopii - About midnight
luna odihnindu-se the moon is resting for now
ntr-un mr nflorit in apple blossoms

Primvara-n grdin - Garden in the spring -
flori i buruieni crescnd flowers and weeds
laolalt growing together

Echinociu - Vernal equinox -
pentru o clip, chiar btrnul prun for a moment, the old plum
ntinerete rejuvenates too

Doar o adiere - Only a breath of wind -
rcoarea petalelor the petals coolness
n palma cald in her warm hand
______________________________________
18 19
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Focuri vii Vivid fires

deasupra livezii - above the orchard -
meri nflorii apple trees blossoming

Petale czute - Fallen petals -
printre crengile goale, through the bare branches
luna nou the crescent moon

Primvar pentru toi - Spring for all -
ppua mezinei the youngest girls doll talking
vorbind florilor to the flowers

Vnt dinspre livad - Wind from the orchard -
pe frnghia de rufe on the clothes line
ii nmiresmate scented shirts

Oglinda iazului - In the ponds mirror:
fata cu prul despletit a girl with her unbraiden hair
i-o salcie plngtoare and a weeping willow

Prin geamu-ntredeschis, Through the ajar window,
civa oaspei nechemai: some uncalled guests:
miresmele primverii fragrances of spring

______________________________________
20 21
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Vntul primverii - Warm spring wind -

muguri de trandafir plesnind all the rosebuds bursting
unul dup altul one after the other

Prima ntlnire - First date -
biatul ine n mn the youngster holds in his hand
un boboc de trandafir a rosebud

Rou n zori - Dew at daybreak -
ceaiul de diminea the morning tea
al florilor de cmp of the wild flowers

Dup plimbare, After the stroll,
copilul druind mamei the love-child offers his mother
o floare de cmp a wild flower

Amiaz de primvar - Spring noon -
ppdiile aprind the dandelions setting on fire
toat pajitea the entire grassland

n vrful florii On top of a flower
un mugur ntredeschis neighboring with the sky
vecin cu cerul an inquiring bud

______________________________________
22 23
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Lumina unui far A lighthouse

n miezul nopii - about midnight -
cire nflorit cherry blossoms

mbtat Inebriated with
de mireasma florii de cire, the scent of cherry blossoms,
lebda nuc a swan in the drift

Lumin din lumin - Light out of light -
sub soarele de april under the Aprils sun
cirei nflorii cherry blossoms

n drum spre cas, On the way home,
de pretutindeni miresme from on all sides fragrances
de flori de cire of cherry blossoms

Amprenta dragostei - True love-knot:
florile de cire pstreaz the cherry blossoms still wear
urme de fluturi some butterfly traces

Dup srbtori, After the spring feasts,
ikebana nmiresmnd ikebana incensing
apa rului the rivers water

______________________________________
24 25
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Primvara vieii - The Lifes Spring -

n grdina de flori in the flower-garden
doar culori calde only warm colours

Sub cerul liber, In the open air,
un pictor nevzut an unseen painter
schimb culorile changes the colours

Parada modei - Fashion parade -
cele mai frumoase kimonouri, the most beautiful kimonos,
florile de cire the cherry blossoms

Briza serii - Evening breeze -
n zori, liliacul tommorow, at daybreak, the lilac
va nflori din nou will blossom again

Deschiznd geamul, Opening the window,
mireasma de liliac the lilacs fragrance comes
vine la cin unasked to dinner

______________________________________
26 27
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

UMBRELE VERII SUMMERS SHADOWS

Zori de var - Summer daybreak -

n rochia rndunicii, some dewdrops hidden
nevzut, roua in the morning glory

ngnat de zori - Peep of day -
lumina unei flori ntmpin the light of a flower welcoming
soarele verii the summer sun

Un nou rsrit - A new sunrise -
rochia rndunicii morning glory bursting
explodnd n lumin in the light

mbrcnd gardul Dressing the fence
dinspre uli, from the country road,
rochia rndunicii the morning glory

Revrsat de zori ? Is day breaking ?
petalele de plumeria the petals of plumeria
luminnd totul lighting all around

______________________________________
28 29
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Nori peste pajite - Clouds above the meadow -

puful de ppdie the dandelions seeds
n voia vntului at the mercy of the wind

Lumini n noapte - Lights in the night -
umbrele frunzelor the shadows of the poplars leaves
profilate pe cer outlined in the sky

Fereastr deschis - Open window...
luna plin micnd the full moon moving the shadow
umbra unei flori of a geranium

n prul crunt In the grizled hair
al fetei btrne, of an old maid
mucat roie a red geranium

Felinarele A few street lamps
luminnd ca ziua - light the garden by day -
trandafiri nflorii white roses in full bloom

Crmpeie de cer Pieces of sky
coborte-n grdin - lowered in the flowers garden -
irii nflorind blooming irisses

______________________________________
30 31
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

n cmpul de maci In the field of poppies

i sperietoarea poart even the old scarecrow
scufi roie wears a red cap

Dup ploaie, After the summer rain,
o albin d trcoale a bee revolves around
florii de plastic a plastic flower

Explozii solare - Solar explosions -
unul dup altul nuferii one by one, the white water lilies
explodeaz i ei are bursting too

Amiaz de var - Summer noon -
florile fr umbr flowers without shadows
tnjesc dup rcoare hanker after coolness

Ru nvolburat - Whirling river
o ramur de mslin a simple olive branch
limpezind apa clearing up the waters

Brci de salvare - Life boats -
de frunzele salciei snails clinging to
se-aga melcii the willow leaves

______________________________________
32 33
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Trziu n amurg, Late in the twilight

o ultim privire: a last glance: all around
ard chiparoii! the cypress trees burn!

Lumina lmpii - The light of the lamp -
umbra unei flori de plastic the shadow of a plastic flower
jucnd pe perei playing on the walls

Noapte de iunie - Night of June -
luna primind lumin the moon receiving light
de la maci from the poppies

Un sol divin Divine messenger
n noaptea de var: in the summer night:
lotus nflorit a lotus in bloom

Foc de tabr... Camp-fire...
umbra unui pin the shadow of a pine
tocmai pe lun just on the moon

Clopoei argintii Silver bells
sunnd deteptarea - ringing the reveille
lalelele tulips abloom

______________________________________
34 35
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Poveste de dragoste - Love story -

o singur floare pe cmp only a flower in the field,
i-atia fluturi and so many butterflies

Zilele lui Cuptor - Dog days -
umbra nsetat the thirsty shadow of
a unui plop alb a white poplar

Lotui nflorii - White water lilies
un bivol se scald a buffalo takes a bath
n lumina lor under their glimmer

Amiaz de var Summer midday -
n umbra odii, strlucirea in the rooms shade, the brightness
unui trandafir of a red rose

Noi constelaii New constelations
vara pe pmnt: in summer on the Earth:
margaretele the wild daisies

Vecintate - Neighborhood:
soarele i-o margaret the sun and a daisy
fa n fa face to face

______________________________________
36 37
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Maree galben - Yellow tide -

lanul de rapi the colza field takes
la ora de dans a dancing class

Aria verii - Scorching heat -
umbra unui plop uscat the shadow of a dry poplar
trece grania passes abroad

Verde pe verde - Green on green -
siesta cosaului the grasshoppers siesta
pe un scaiete on a leaf of bur

Sezonul fnului - Haymaking season -
i iarba i buruienile both the grass and the weeds
sub tiul coasei under the schythes blade

Inscripie pe-o frunz Inscription on
de nu-m-uita: A leaf of forget-me-not:
Sunt totul sau nimic Im all or nothing

______________________________________
38 39
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

SUNETELE TOAMNEI AUTUMNS SOUNDS

Dou libelule - A couple of dragonflies -

sub povara dragostei,
firul de iarb
Frunza de brustur -
adpostul de-o noapte
al libelulei
Ateptnd peitori,
inima ghiocelului de toamn
mereu deschis
Fraternitate -
spinii punnd n lumin
floarea de cactus
Prevestind toamna,
n pnza pianjenului
primele frunze
a dry blade of grass
under the loves burden
Leaf of bur -
a single nights shelter
of a dragonfly
Waiting for the suitors,
the heart of the amarylis
always wide open
Fraternity -
the thorns increasing the brightness
of the cactus flower
Heralding the autumn,
in the cross spiders cobweb
the first leaves

______________________________________
40 41
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Geam ntredeschis - Half open window -

civa oaspei nepoftii: some intruders in the room:
frunzele toamnei the autumn leaves

Companie - Company -
o frunz ia loc i ea a leaf takes a seat too
pe banc n parc on the park bench

La fiecare At each one crow cry
croncnit de cioar another trembling poplars leaf
plopul pierde-o frunz falls dawn

Rogojini glbui Yellowish mats
la poalele pdurii - on the lap of forest-
frunzele toamnei the autumns leaves

Frunzele toamnei The autumn leaves
gata s cad deodat ready to fall waver
se rzgndesc at the last moment

Dup vacan, After the holidays,
chiar i-n cutia potal even in the mailbox
foile toamnei the autumns leaves

______________________________________
42 43
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Frunz de arar A red maple leaf

n vntul toamnei - in the autumns breeze -
scrisoare de dragoste late love letter

Stele ruginii Rusty stars
pe cerul toamnei the maple tree shows off
frunze de arar its leaves in the sky

Poart larg deschis Wide-open gate
n lumina toamnei in the autumn sunlight-
mii de frunze roii thousands of red leaves

Nici un fir de iarb No grass blade
n toat ograda... in the entire courtyard ....
Doar frunzele toamnei only autumns leaves

Un foc licrind: Flickering-fire:
Pe-o floare stacojie a red dragonfly resting
libelula roie on a scarlet flower

Vntul nteete Wind enlivening
focul dinspre pdure - the fire from the forest-
frunze de arar maple leaves

______________________________________
44 45
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Elicoptere Helicopters flying

n pdurea de arari - in the maple tree forest -
cntecul toamnei the autumns song

Licurici sclipind Glow worms sparkling
n seara de toamn - in the autumns twilight
crizanteme albe white chrisanthemums

Rug de sear - Evening prayer
crizantema aplecat the curved crysanthemum
luminnd candela lighting the candle

Fonet de frunze Rustle of red leaves
n btaia vntului - in the breath of wind
sunetele toamnei the autumns sounds

Sunetele toamnei - The autumns sounds
frunze rocate cznd reddish leaves falling over
pe iarba glbuie the yellowish grass

La echinociu, Equinox Day,
attea miresme de toamn so many autumn smells
n vntul verii in the summer wind

______________________________________
46 47
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Strada Castanilor - Chestnuts street -

luna caut peste tot the moon looks everywhere
o veveri for a squirrel

Mijlocul toamnei - Middle of autumn -
mure rscoapte i frunze czute, overripe berries and fallen leaves,
un talme-balme higgledy-piggledy

Dup cules, After the harvest,
buruienile invadeaz the weeds invade again
din nou ogorul all the field

Semine n vnt - Seeds scattered by the wind -
o nou grdin de flori, a new flowers garden
chiar pe-acoperi just on the rooftop

Ploaie de toamn - Autumn rain -
frunze roii acoperind the red leaves covering
balta cenuie the grey puddle

Mozaic de toamn - Autumn mosaic -
culori reci, culori calde, cold colours and warm colours
pe un singur ram on the same branch

______________________________________
48 49
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________

Var indian - Indian summer -

punnd vechi crizanteme putting old chrysanthemums
ntr-un nou ierbar in a new herbarium

Singurtate - Solitude -
printre-attea frunze vetede among so many faded leaves
una nc verde just one still green

Contrapunct - Counterpoint
un snger strlucete in the coniferous forest
n pdurea de brazi a bloody twig gives light

Mtnii n tain - Hidden genuflexions-
cad ultimele frunze, the last leaves are falling...
tcere de mormnt deathlike silence

Rug de toamn - Autumn prayer -
pomii goi implornd Cerul naked trees beseeching the Heaven
s-ntrzie bruma to delay the hoar-frost

Bolnav la pat - Sick in bed -
prin fereastra deschis through the open window
fonet de ierburi rustle of herbs

______________________________________
50 51
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Flori ntrziate Belated flowers

tremurnd n cmpie - shivering in the plain -
zpad n muni snow in the mountains

Toamn trzie - Late autumn -
attea crengi uscate, so many dry branches,
dar nici un corb but no raven

Sub frunza veted Under a faded leaf
ultimul cnt de greier... the last note from the crickets song...
Tcere de mormnt Deathlike silence

______________________________________
52 53
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

CULOAREA IERNII THE COLOUR OF THE WINTER

Prima ninsoare - The first snowfall -

pe geamul dinspre grdin on the garden-side window
flori de ghea frost patterns

O singur culoare: A single colour:
grdina de flori dormind the flower garden sleeping
sub ninsoare under the snowfall

Doar flori albe... Only white flowers...
Nici o alt culoare No any other colour
n toat grdina in the whole garden

Stingnd lampa, Turning off the lamp,
iat lumina lin: behold a gracious light-
Pomul de Crciun the Christmas tree

Sear de iarn - Winter evening -
frunzele fagului luminate the copper beechs leaves
de ninsoare lit by the snowfall

______________________________________
54 55
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Templu n aer liber - Temple in the open air -

crengi de arbori desfrunzii branches of naked trees
la ruga de sear at the evening prayer

Clopote mute Quiet bells
atrnnd n copaci: hanging in the trees:
frunzele iernii the winter leaves

Un copac uscat A bare tree
n btaia vntului, at the mercy of the wind,
asta e viaa... that is life...

Ploaie de iarn - Winter rain -
pe plopul singuratic on the lonely poplar
o singur frunz only a single leaf

La asfinit, At the sunset,
umbra pinului acoper the pines shadow covers
toi jnepenii all the jumps

Dram ntr-o vaz: Tragedy in a vase:
doua flori sntoase two healthy flowers
veghindu-i sora bolnav watching their ill sister

______________________________________
56 57
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Rboj - Notched stick as score -

pe scoara unui copac btrn, on the bark of an old tree
socoteli ncheiate the settled reckonings

Acum i el are Now it also wears
un costum de haine alb - a white suit of clothes -
molidul nins the snowy fir spruce

inut de gal - Formal clothing -
crengile bradului poart in winter the firs branches
mnui de omt wear snow mittens

Moda de iarn - Winter fashion -
pn i ciulinii poart even the thistles wear now
scufie albe snow-white caps

Peisaj de iarn - Winter landscape -
frunzele de stejar frgezite the leaves of oak framed
de ninsoare by the snowfall

Stejar desfrunzit - Leafless oak tree -
n vrful su revigorate in its top shining green leaves
frunzele de vsc of mistletoe

______________________________________
58 59
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Steaua Nordului - The Northern Star -

arbori desfrunzii under its light, leafless trees
n btaia vntului at the mercy of the wind

n miezul iernii In mid-winter
o uria floare alb: a giant white flower:
nsui muntele the mountain itself

Zi noroas - Winter cloudy day -
o mucat ia lumin a geranium borrows light
de la zpad from the snow

Uitat de moarte, Forgotten by the Death,
stejarul secular sper the venerable oak tree still hopes
s-nfrunzeasc iar to leaf out again

Via i moarte - Life and Death
printre pietre de mormnt among the grey tombstones,
tufe venic verzi evergreen bushes

Pomi desfrunzii - Leafless fruit trees -
ascuni sub coaj hidden under the bark -
muguri mijind swollen buds

______________________________________
60 61
 Vasile Moldovan IKEBANA
_________________________________________________ ____________________________________________

Floarea pasiunii - Passion flower -

muguri nerbdtori ateapt its buds look forward
primvara to the spring coming

nchis n fereastr, A lonely flower
o floare singuratic trapped between the window panes
ateapt primvara awaits for the spring

Poveste de iarn: Winter story:
zpada nflorind the snow blossoming again
n toi prunii in all the plum trees

Cascada alb - White waterfall -
printre sloiuri de ghea among the melting ices
petale de prun plum trees petals

n livad In the orchard
viaa i moartea jucndu-se the Life and the Death playing
de-a v-ai ascuns hide and seek

Apus de iarn - Winter sunset -
cretetul btrnului pin the old pine trees topping
tot n lumin... still in full light

______________________________________
62 63
 SUMAR / SUMMARY

Cuvnt nainte:
...FRUNZELE FAGULUI
LUMINATE DE NINSOARE / 3
Foreword:
...THE COPPER BEECHS LEAVES
LIT BY THE SNOWFALL 7

CUMPNA ANILOR / 12
TURN OF THE YEAR 13

MIRESME DE PRIMVAR / 14
FRAGRANCES OF SPRING 15

UMBRELE VERII / 28
SUMMERS SHADOWS 29

SUNETELE TOAMNEI / 40
AUTUMNS SOUNDS 41

CULOAREA IERNII / 54
THE COLOUR OF WINTER 55
 De acelai autor:

VIA DOLOROSA TRISTIHURI CRETINE N SPIRIT

HAIKU, prefa de Constantin Sorescu, Editura FIAT LUX,
Bucureti, 1998;

FAA NEVZUT A LUNII / THE MOONS

UNSEEN FACE, versiune n limba englez de Cristian-
Mihail Miehs, prefa de Radu Crneci, Editura SEMNE,
Bucureti, 2001;

POEMUL NTR-UN VERS studii n colaborare cu

Florin Vasiliu, Editura CURTEA VECHE, Bucureti, 2001;

ARCA LUI NOE / NOAHS ARK, VERSIUNE n limba

englez de Cristian-Mihail Miehs, Editura AMBASADOR,
Trgu-Mure, 2003.