open sky :: SAMVAAD/ 18th May
- Aparna Pathak
- May 18, 2025
- 1 min read
hosts : Sanjuktaa Asopa & Aparna Pathak
cutting narcissus
we talk to our children
about the war
-- Kat Lehmann
(The Heron's Nest
Volume XXVI, Number 1: March, 2024)
top of page
Search
3 Comments
bottom of page
Lovely poem and yes!
Talking about war is indeed an essential part of our livelihood where everything depends on each other's values!
The poet has this to say:
"I have not, thankfully, experienced war first hand, although I am moved emotionally by hearing about war. I wanted to write a poem that does not pretend to know what war is like and does not "borrow the trauma" of someone who has experienced something terrible that I have not. This haiku is an attempt at a war poem that stays authentic to my experience of war: as a parent talking with kids about it. I also like that the poem can be read as a "war" between individuals, families, or groups, as well as nations. The kigo "narcissus" sets the scene and hints at the discussion of how our failings exacerbate conflict."
We would welcome…
Good haiku. layered.