Haiku by Barbara Olmtak
1.
be mindful!
we reap what we sow
harvest moon
2.
seeking shelter
in the emptiness of space
the shade of a tree
3.
a line of gold marks the scars
deep autumn
4.
sandpainting the mandala’s inner core
autumn hues
曼荼羅の芯の砂絵の秋の色 千秋
translated into Japanese by Chiaki Nakano san
5.
monk’s robe flutters
a hymn in the wind
mimosa
6.
slowly transforming into a free spirit
butterfly chrysalis
se transformant lentement en un esprit libre
chrysalide de papillon
lentamente trasformandosi in uno spirito libero
crisalide di farfalle
Translated into French and Italian by Nadine Leon
7.
fear not earth in the lows of your tide
a shield of mangroves
8.
peeling the skin the truth uncovered
ripe persimmon
一皮を剥いて真実柿熟るる 千秋
translated into Japanese by Chiaki Nakano san
9.
inhaling cold air ice slowly melts
into spring
10.
slowly trickling down all i want to say
awaiting spring
11.
deep melancholy
in the tone of frog’s croaks
requiem for Basho
Bio
©barbara olmtak
Born in Suriname, living in the Netherlands Barbara has been working as a teacher and counsellor,coaching pupils(and parents) at secondary and primary level (general and special education) for the past 42 years.
In addition to long strolls enjoying nature and the love for photography, reading and writing haiku and tanka is her favourite pastime.
Tanka by Barbara Olmtak
1.
through the marumado
twisted pine trees gently colouring
immaculate white
I gaze up in awe
the miracle of winter
2.
from the mud
the lotus rises
petals unfold
in the softness of light
my awakening
3.
emerald green
a hummingbird passes
burst of wingbeats
my restless mind
flutters of thoughts
4.
wind settles
perching a hummingbird
spellbound
holding his gaze
holding mine
Photos by Barbara Olmtak
Akita International Haiku Network 
Dear Hidenori Hiruta san, Thank you so much for including my submission in the World Haiku Series 2022. I am grateful and humbled.
I have one kind request and that is if my picture could be replaced by the one I have sent in my second email. I’ll include it in this mail in the attachment. Please ignore my request if it is too much work for you to replace my picture. If it is not….I would be very grateful if this one could be attached.
Thank you so much once again,
Warm regards, Barbara Olmtak
Dear Barbara Olmtak, Thank you very much for your great and inspiring submission.
I just now replaced your picture as you had requested in the second email.
We sincerely hope that you will enjoy haiku, tanka, and photography with your pupils and your friends.
We are very grateful to you again for having shared your fine works with us.
Best regards, Hidenori Hiruta
Great photo,Barbara, and awesome poems.
Dear Hidenori Hiruta san, Thank you so much for this special opportunity and for your kind cooperation🙏 Thank you for your unrelenting hard work and devotion enabling this beautiful international exchange from and with Japan. I am grateful to have been allowed participating. Domo arigato gozaimasu, stay well and bless you🌹, barbara
Thank you dear Anita Bacha for your compliment 🌹 So very much appreciated.
Warm regards from Amsterdam, barbara olmtak