The month of the Hungry Ghosts falls in Asia this month — August is when the Gates of the Underworld open, releasing hungry spirits to look for food. Taoists and Buddhists mark it with offerings of food and paper money–money that stands for cash to be spent in the underworld.
It also brings warnings and superstitions unseen. Decipher each senryu and uncover them!
👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻
Seventh month’s veil thins
Incense smoke burns, doors ajar
Must look where one treads.
During the seventh month, what must you be careful of because spirits roam freely?
👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻
Bowls of rice and meat
Their meals, never must one eat
Offered and revered
What must you never do with the food left for wandering spirits?
👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻
Unseen ears do hear
The whistles in the darkness
Shadows grace grey walls.
What should you avoid doing at night so you don’t attract spirits?
👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻
Coins and notes on roads
Money tokens left untouched
Tokens not for life.
Why must you leave money on roads alone during this time?
👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻
They dwell in water
Cold forms swimming in the sea
May drag one under.
Why must you not swim during the month of the hungry ghosts?
👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻
Appeased by kindness
Fired by disobedience
They fill empty chairs
What must you NOT do with empty chairs at gatherings?
👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻
If you like this story, do join me on Patreon! Buy this blog a coffee — it keeps the words flowing and the lights on! Your kind donation via Paypal would be greatly appreciated!
Please find a book of my horror microfiction, Echoes in the Dark, free for download here.
The Getting Literal Writing Alcove 