triveni spotlight: 17th October 2025
- Mohua
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
triveni spotlight A FEATURE EVERY ALTERNATE DAY hosts: Anju Kishore and Mohua Maulik GUEST EDITOR: Rupa Anand
17th October 2025
triveni spotlight October 2025
ivory earrings —
the thud
of an elephant's fall
— Nitu Yumnam
The Haiku Foundation Kukai January 2025
<> <> <>
Fellow Beings
We share the planet with some amazing species and though we each speak a different language, there is much we can learn from them. By ‘fellow beings’ I mean those on land, sea, and air. We are continually communicating with them, via body language, sounds, and signals. The ones in our household and environment pick up on our words and feelings at all times, and we pick up on theirs, though we may not be fully aware of this intuitive exchange. There may be some of us who are not particularly fond of some of them. That’s fine too.
My selections this month are about meaningful connections with our fellow beings or even our fears and angst. I want the Spotlight focused on the myriad ways we establish a deeper understanding of this mutual interdependence.
Join me on this exploratory journey about listening to and communicating with our pets or the wildlife we encounter. Are we aware of the impact our emotions have on them? Do we understand the essence or persona of each being, recognise and empathise with any physical or traumatic issues they may have, understand their joys & their pain? And finally, how are they a source of comfort and peace in times of our struggles & stress?
with a cheep, a woof, a meow, a wag, a lick, & a roar
rupa
Thank you, Rupa. Dear poets, we are sure you will enjoy this selection and hope that you will share your perspectives too. Looking forward to your participation.
Team Triveni Spotlight
_()_
ivory earrings —
the thud
of an elephant's fall
— Nitu Yumnam
The Haiku Foundation Kukai
Second Prize / Theme:Gift
January 2025
This poem won Nitu Yumnam the second place in the Haiku Foundation’s Kukai in January, 2025.
The allure of ivory stems from its beauty, cultural significance, and status as a luxury item, particularly in regions where it has historically been used for decorative objects and carvings. This demand, however, fuels a devastating illegal trade that threatens elephant populations worldwide. I cannot imagine hunting these highly evolved creatures to adorn our silly ears.
Another one of Nitu’s powerful environmental poem is:
wildlife trade
the crack
of a turtle’s shell
Haiku in Action - July 10th - July 14th
Such a powerful ku! A simple yet effective clarion call, impeccably worded.