triveni spotlight: 7th October 2025
- Mohua
- Oct 7
- 2 min read
triveni spotlight A FEATURE EVERY ALTERNATE DAY hosts: Anju Kishore and Mohua Maulik GUEST EDITOR: Rupa Anand
7th October 2025
triveni spotlight October 2025
calling the cows
home from pasture
a yodel is heard
my uncle’s voice
echoes the old country
— Bonnie J Scherer
Folk Ku Journal, Issue 4
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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
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Such a beautiful sense of place and history in this one.
A pleasure reading this Tanka and the story behind it makes real to feel it. Nice touch with yodel and uncle’s voice relating to old country, Bonnie! This practice may still be around, I guess. Thank you for sharing, Bonnie and Rupa!
Thank you so much Rupa for featuring my tanka. I am honored to have this poem and story shared on the Triveni Haikai India platform. Kindest regards to all! 🙂
A delightful tanka. And an equally delightful background story. Thanks for sharing, Rupa and Bonnie
When I requested Bonnie to give me the background to her charming tanka, this is what she said:
“My dad’s oldest brother inherited the modest family farm in northern Wisconsin where our ancestors eventually settled after emigrating from Europe. My father grew up on the farm, the youngest of six siblings. This uncle kept dairy cows and indeed could yodel. I have a tape of him belting out his calls and playing a harmonica. Proud of my roots!”
thank you, Bonnie.