*** Q #26 ***
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haikaiTALKS Q #26: a saturday gathering_under the banyan tree
host: Kala Ramesh
Hearty Congratulations, to Kavitha Sreeraj!
Lakshmi has picked Kavitha Sreeraj’s answer as the best reply to her Q!
Listen to what Lakshmi has to say:
Dear Kala
My heartfelt thanks to you and Vandana for giving me the opportunity to present forward Q#25 for haikaiTALKS.
And yes, the outpouring answers of so many poets just took me en route to the places they were inspired.
I would like to thank Suraja for the outstanding haibun 'Flavors' centered around the Amarkantak; to Neena Singh for letting me feel at home in Kasauli with her lovely haiku; to you Kala for your brilliant gembun terbalik, haibun, the capturing tribute to 'Gangubai' and much more . Teji's voice in the salt of Raavi and the echoes of an old song are still lying deep within. Thanks to Barbara Kaufman's haiku of the Grand Canyon, Mona Bedi and Suresh Babu's observations. Just can't forget Tish Davis' tanka lines, 'its faint light lengthened by the river Li' and the haibun 'In a Glass Bowl'. Thanks to Priti for that captivating tanka; that longingness to see the Mekong river, to Sushama to make me read her Pondicherry days and to Robert to make me think about the impact of war.
Finally, I would love to appreciate Kavitha Sreeraj's attempt to present her experience through simple and homely haiku and haibun. Though her work needed few edits, yet, the simplicity was magical. Hence, with wishing her with many more Haikai; I pass over the baton to Kavitha Sreeraj.
Thank you once again.
Sincerely,
Lakshmi Iyer
Now for Kavitha’s Q #26
Thank you Lakshmi for passing on the baton to me and thank you Kala for introducing this platform to explore, inquire and learn more about haikai.
When I first got introduced to haiku what attracted me to it is the simplicity in its being. The elements in haiku remind me of my village and the lifestyle. Hence most of my writings in haiku connects me to the childhood days I spent in my village.
I can give many examples of wabi-sabi from the life there. Acceptance of impermanence, finding simplicity in the natural things, appreciating beauty in imperfection.
My question to all of you is:
· What does simplicity in haiku mean to you?
· How do you define simplicity?
· Is it difficult to write a simple haiku?
Also please share one simple haiku along with your answers.
Here is one that I could write:
thrissur pooram . . .
father’s shoulder still strong
to hold his grandson
Note: Thrissur pooram is an annual festival held in Thrissur, Kerala, India. 50 elephants and around 200 artists play the panchavadhyam (orchestra with 5 different instruments) for the festival. It is said that millions of people attend this festival every year.
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Trivenians are given time until midnight of 27th APRIL (IST) to share your views on the subject!
Waiting to read your responses!
your host,
_kala
Loved the question, Kavitha❤️According to me, creation is a magical experience. We just need to begin gently and keep exploring, letting our mind free to express. What is outside is also deeply embedded in our mind. Poetry cannot be restricted to a particular definition or style. Each poet has a style of uniqueness that shines through no matter what. Not so new developments have already introduced western concepts of surrealism to Japanese forms. This shall also enhance the speciality of each poet. Personally, I keep that flexibility to write and try anything fascinating. Simplicity, I believe always shines through even in complexity. Knowledge grows when shared. In English-language haiku, we cannot negate the power of language. The reader always has…
Thanks dear Lakshmi for the reminder!
I often think my haiku are too simple, because I am a simple person …That’s my truth and that’s what comes out in my haiku. When I read the beautiful haiku of friends, I wish I could write like them…
Now to answer Kavitha’s Qs:
What does simplicity in haiku mean to you?
Simplicity in haiku to me is the honesty of expressing what I see, feel & experience without clutter.
· How do you define simplicity?
Simplicity to me is something easy to understand. Uncomplicated and light.
· Is it difficult to write a simple haiku?
Not that difficult, unless we are trying to be clever and smart- alecky! When we don’t…
Thanks Kavitha for a great question. It is the simplicity which attracts me to haiku also.
To me simplicity is about noticing things deeply but then presenting them as non-judgmentally as possible so that the reader can hopefully have their own unique experience. What puts me off completely are blatantly emotional poems where it is clear to both poet and reader how the latter is supposed to react.
Is it hard to write simply? It is very hard. Will it appeal to everyone? No. Some like jasmine tea but others are happier with masala chai. Is it worth still attempting? Completely so.
lost in green fields
i hear the bells
of Sriranganatha
Kavitha, Shall we extend this Q for a week more?
I would like everyone to attempt to write a new haiku or tanka ... based on karumi. Yes?
Kavitha, Lovely haiku. Thank you for sharing.
When the grandfather holds his grandson so the child can have a better view of the festival, the grandfather becomes the 'root' and the grandson, 'taller' like a tree. A simple image with layers of meaning.
What does simplicity in haiku mean to you?
An uncluttered image with depth in perspective
How do you define simplicity?
Having the right balance of 'full' and 'empty'
Is it difficult to write a simple haiku?
Yes indeed! I didn't write my best haiku. They always found me.
autumn
an empty booster seat
in the barber's window
Second Place. 2010 Haiku Society Award in Memorial of Harold G. Henderson