At Mikami Shrine

Here are some things that limited space and passed deadline prevented from being considered for inclusion in the forthcoming Hailstone book due in December. Not to worry: we have this blog to fool around with. What didn't get into the book, can be eaten up right here.
This spat of poems was composed in the shadow of Mikami Jinja, out Yasu way in Shiga Pref. A very old shrine, it is the leading god of the area and a very busy place all year round. The haiku are seasonal, but were all written at nearly the same time, not in the seasons they celebrate.
Munch away:

can’t fall for fall ‘cause
winter’s nearing;
yet, these sunsets do make sense

sunset over the shrine
viewed beneath the torii:
too much, too much

a red torii
up thru this deep snow
warms me on a black-white day

shrine green, shrine crimson,
shrine breeze, shrine banners,
welcome me to shrine spring

shimmering shrine in August’s heat,
red torii burning my eyes

beside the torii, beside its pond,
beside my girl, beside myself

the black troops flying home,
rest on the torii, watch,
with me, our sunset

"Black troops" refers to the countless crows on the east side of Lake Biwa. Beyond numbering.