writeALONG, 26 May 2026

A TUESDAY FEATURE

hosts: Padma Rajeswari, K. Ramesh

guest editor: Padma Priya

Only the unpublished poems (that are never published on any social media platform/journals/anthologies) posted here for each prompt will be considered for Triveni Haikai India's monthly journal -- haikuKATHA, each month.

Poets are requested to post poems (haiku/senryu) that adhere to the prompts/exercises given.

Only 1 poem to be posted in 24 hours. Total 2 poems per poet are allowed each week (numbered 1,2). So, revise your poems till 'words obey your call'.

Responses are usually a mixture of grain and chaff. The poet has to be discerning about what to take for the final version of the poem or the unedited version will be picked up for the journal.

The final version should be on top of the original version for selection.

Poetry is a serious business. Give you best attempt to feature in haikuKATHA !!

.....................................................................................................................................

long ago 

when I felt beautiful 

coral lipstick 

Suraja Menon Roychowdhury

Last time we discussed a haiku about a child wondering about her mother's smile. This week we have a haiku where the narrator talks wistfully about the past. This haiku by Suraja is a deeply layered one. Though it looks simple in appearance, it allows ample space for the reader to interpret the poem in his/her own way, beyond what is apparent.

The narrator refers to 'coral lipstick', which she wore long ago in her life. She also specifically says that she felt that she was beautiful at that time. What was lost in the time that passed according to the narrator, and why? Apparently she feels that she is not beautiful enough now to wear coral lipstick. Why does she feel this way? What is missing in her now? Did she become old, or is she sick? What is amiss within her? Does she simply miss being youthful, or is she referring subtly to something deeper, like joy and happiness missing in her life?

The choice of the word 'felt' and the colour 'coral' have deeper connotations, according to me. The way the narrator looks at herself has changed now. She is probably not comfortable being herself anymore. The colour coral, representing joy, warmth and energy, may indicate the lack of these very things in the narrator's life now.

This haiku gives the reader a larger canvas to interpret it, making it powerful and layered.

I invite you to write a haiku about things that remind you that you are ageing and how you intend to accept the same or what disturbs you about it.

Haiku outside the prompt are welcome too.