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CaribbeanKigo #04 Kukai Results   Administed by Gillena Cox   The fourth Kukai, was contested by 16 players. Fourteen players met the voting deadline. Since there were two persons who did not vote; l asked two of our Kukai Asterisks - Michael Baribeau; and Jenny Townsend, non players in this kukai, for their vote; thus bringing the total to sixteen voters. *09 FIRST PLACE Corpus Christi a pregnant woman climbs the church steps --BILL KENNEY Points:18 Comments: 1. Coming into this world - still a great thing. So simple, so great. 2. not because the pregnant woman is Mary but because of His sacrifice to redeem. 3. the image of the pregnant woman climbing the church steps evokes images of Mary and the Christ child as well as the history of Christ as recorded in the gospels. This is a powerful haiku image for me. 4. poignant image of the 'burdened' pregnant woman opting to make the arduous trip to attend Mass this important day instead of staying home and nurse her delicate condition.     *14SECOND PLACE stained glass tints my prayers corpus christi --Robin Beshers, US Points:16 Comments: 1.No incense, no chants. This everyday-prayer goes much deeper. 2. Interesting using "tints" as a verb. I want to read more of a connection to "Corpus Christi", for example 'Easter' would seem to fit better here because of the tradition of egg dying.     *13 THIRD PLACE In the street a beggar eating bread… Corpus Christi --Magdalena Dale - Romania Points:12 Comments:1. My number three, cause He said, we will find Him this way. Without line one my number one. 2. I preferred those that placed the kigo most firmly and deeply in the context of the natural and the human. #13 accomplishes this, while acknowledging the traditional religious significance of the feast. 3. In this haiku the image of the beggar in the street eating the simple meal of bread evokes principles of religious faith; the simple and unadorned images suggest humbleness and truth. 4. If they have communion in the street for these processionals or hand out bread then I can see the life saving bread is also to remind of the life everlasting bread of communion but I thought the procession happened before or after the communion at Mass. 5.This is a warm message; who is the beggar; anyway he/she's got some bread to eat. (Not any fish?).     RESULTS CONTINUES   #1 Red raindrops ooze from the wood of cross... Corpus Christi --Vasile Moldovan Points:6 Comments: I like this approach. The word "ooze" has some negative gore connotations and for me seemed to give too much away. Maybe 'trickle'? In fact I wanted to read it as being even less direct like, rain trickles down - the red wood cross - Corpus Christi.     #2 a barefoot farmer washing his hands -- Corpus Christi --Tikkis Points:10 Comments: 1.the symbolism of hand washing and the biblical account of Pilate struck a correspondence for me in this haiku; well done. 2. I like the wabi sabi image of a barefoot farmer. I assume he is trying to make himself presentable for Corpus Christi but can't hide his humble status due to his barefeet. Also if I recall feet washing by Jesus and his decuples was important in some traditions so this might be ironic as well.     #3 Corpus Christi in the heart and on the earth love homegrown --Mary Angela Nangini Points:2 Comments: For me this is telling about love through sacrifice of God born a man and martyred but I want to read it more showing me not telling me. It feels a little too abstract, maybe more concrete images like, Corpus Christi - children crowd around - the cart with a lamb     #4 Corpus Christi: farmers planting their crops in the tradition --Keith A. SIMMONDS; T & T Points:3 Comments: I'm not familiar with "the tradition", maybe describe the technique? Is this describing an area celebrating Corpus Chrisi that is poor/simple and planting 'by hand' so with a wabi sabi quality? I don't get the connection though with Corpus Christi but my knowledge of the celebration is limited.     #5 corpus Christi fog the procession meanders among the puddles --Jacek Margolak; POLAND Points:7 Comments: 1.for me the "fog" and the "puddles" through which this Corpus Christi procession meanders suggests the roadblocks and obstructions that intervene between faith and the faithful; well done. 2. I enjoyed the image of the robed clergy processional line, veering around puddles not seen until the last minute due to the fog. I don't think it needs "fog" and in fact used this way it seems to be talking about the town of Corpus Christi Texas and not just the feast.     #6 Corpus Christi His Body and Blood saves us World without end --Catbird55; USA Points:3 Comments: This reads more like traditional western poetry, hey worked in the King James New Testament version right? I want to read it not with the meaning 'explained' but instead with more simple concrete images 'suggesting' the meaning like, Corpus Christi - breaking a loaf of bread - I pause     #7 petalled pavements waterfalls of wine - Corpus Christi -- John Points:2 Comments: I like the "P" and "W" alliterations. I wanted to play with making line 1 and 2 a single phrase like, petals floating - on rivulets of wine - Corpus Christi. But that's for a more party festival and I thought Corpus Christi was more formal. I guess the meaning of "waterfalls of wine" is unclear to me. Is it a metaphor for the wine flowing from drinking party goers or referring to large turn outs for Mass maybe or something else?     #8 Corpus Christi - neighbours bedight their altar close to the café --Ralf Bröker; Germany, Ochtrup Points: Comments: I'm not sure of the significance of being close to the cafe. Is it so they can quickly retire to the cafe? Is the cafe a community meeting place? Is that why "neighbors" is used? I had to look up "bedight" it is an archaic term in my area, was it's choice significant?     #10 corpus Christi acts of kindness by design with God's signature -Note: As the body of Christ, believers are intent on kindness which flows not by chance but from God. -- Reason A. Poteet Points: 2 Comments: I want to read not that there were acts of kindness and who they were by but of the acts themselves and see for myself God's signature by 'implied' meaning.     #11 incense smoke- in the golden cage Corpus Christi --KRZYSZTOF KOKOT PL Points: 4 Comments: I assume by the hyphen that the Corpus Christi is kept in a golden cage and not the incense. I want to read more of a implied meaning between line 1 and the rest like, incense - the golden cage approaches - Corpus Christi. Or maybe something with the smoke to give it a more mystical mood.     #12 planting pigeon peas and red peppers in the rain-- Corpus Christi --John Daleiden; Avondale, AZ Points: 4 Comments: Afraid I don't know what pigeon peas are nor what the significance in planting them and red peppers in the rain would be for Corpus Christi.     #15 Corpus Christi now The "Ecclesia" is One Honoring the Christ --Quentin Clingerman Points:1 Comments: "now" doesn't really fit here for me, if the only purpose is to maintain the 5-7-5 syllable pattern I would say, 'the Corpus Christi'. For me haiku are stronger if they have an insight or connotation in understanding them while this one feels more straight forward analysis of an observation. Maybe instead giving an example of how they show their respect to "the Christ" and how it relates to Corpus Christi.     #16 Trinitas . . . a dove guides the Corpus Christi procession into Father's Day --Mary Davila Points: Comments: It feels like is one and a half haiku here not one like, a dove - guides the procession - Corpus Christi... and, a dove - guides Corpus Christi - into Father's Day. I don't see the relevance in the haiku for Trinitas.     Afterword   -1- --Ralf Bröker; Germany, Ochtrup winner of kukai #3 said… This time it was "no points" for Mr. B. after a better round in #3. It was asked in the comments, whether café has a special meaning and why I used "bedight". May I answer here? It is a tradition in our town that neighbourhoods build altars when the feast of Corpus Christi is near. It is made of wood, drapery and flowers. After the procession has stopped and is gone the neighbours clear the scene and have a drink or a coffee. "Bedight" is word used often in the context of churches, it underlines - in my eyes - an old fashioned way of life in modern times. "Café" is a modern term in our town, where neighbours used to drink coffee in private houses. It is also a counterpoint to Corpus Christi itself: this feast celebrates that bread and wine become blood and body when Jesus is present. Could be that I've to learn two things: sophisticated does not mean good, but could lead into nebulosity. And: haiku you have to explain are no haiku. Will try to keep on improving. Best wishes Ralf       -2- --Michael Baribeau - Michigan USA; invitee voter for Kukai #3 said... Ralf, It's good that you are to be open to inquiry/critique. Just as readers here are trying to understand haiku written from different cultures you are working to anticipate reception from other perspectives and that is important at any experience level. Your explanation of irony between bedight and cafe makes sense to me now. This connection wouldn't have been understood in my region since cafes are nothing new. Since blogging is relatively new from my cultural perspective I would have written something like corpus Christi - blogging about - the bedighted shrine. But in 25 years from now the meaning may be lost when blogging is no longer 'new', in fact my own son who has grown up around blogging may not think of it as new and not understand my haiku. I think haiku that are cosmopolitan and dealing with 'universally' understood aspects are more effective because they are understood by a larger audience for a longer period of time and might even have the impression of a 'universal truth'. Although a haiku may not be cosmopolitan and may need explanation outside a certain region doesn't mean it isn't a haiku. We shouldn't abandon the haiku meant only for today, but should be aware that it is transient and only for a local audience for a limited time. The masters have many haiku whose meaning have been lost to us, and are now but a glimpse into a private dialog meant only for them then and not us now. After your explanation I rather enjoy your haiku. For me the image of the neighbor's 'feast' at the cafe afterwards is more appealing though then the bedight/cafe connection. Michael Baribeau     -3- -- Reason A. Poteet; USA said... Gillena: I'm so glad you included the afterwords comments by Ralf and by Michael, which help to clarify the view that comments made from a specific reader can be only that - the viewpoint of one person among thousands (or at least several tens) of readers. Personally I like the comments because they help me to grow. I enjoy reading the many different voices that one given kigo (theme) can inspire so many varied and outstanding pieces. Some writers may be offended by "rewrites" offered in the commentary and to that I say, take it for what it is just another voice being heard. I have so much to learn about writing in general and in particular, haiku. Comments are welcome at any time. Reason A.     -4- --Comment from the Kukai coordinator; Gillena Cox - TT… Another successful and highly stimulating kukai. Turns out haiku #8, with zero points; is a star poem in this round. I want to disagree though with Ralf when he said “ haiku you have to explain are no haiku.” This kukai is played on an international platform; true the kigo are posed out of a Caribbean essence, but there is international empathy and cultural diversity which makes for interest and sharing. Meaning does not exist in a vaacum; Cherry Blossom to a Japanese haijin is not the same to a Polish haijin; and Poui to a Trini haijin is not the same to a German haijin the common ground exist after explanation or knowing. I think, it is typical of a good haiku in an international forum; to be not necessarily one which stimulates an AHA moment, since not everyone will understood the tradition; but rather, if it is good enough to spark enough attention and a hankering to get inside of the poem. This is what haiku #8 did and after Ralf’s explanation my appreciation has been heightened. To spark comments whether they be in misunderstanding or in laurels in this arena of sharing various traditions of a particular theme; this for me, is the essence of the kukai. Thanks again, for another successful kukai, to all players and invitees; only because you made it so. much love gillena     -5- --of Haiku #3; the author says... Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ for me is not a final one time historical event but an ongoing reception of the graces of this "eternal sacrifice", therefore, "love homegrown" becomes the intentional, personal assent to love as Love has loved and continues to give, and, to do the same "in the heart and on the earth": to work at loving others as myself and to work at growing the fruits of the earth, the given gifts of the Love who sustains us. As you say in your comments, everyone interprets from their own vantage point, experiences, cultures, etc. I think this is the beauty of haiku. It may touch none, a few or as any winning haiku, a larger group of readers at once. It would be good to hear from all the haiku authors. Mary Angela     -6- --Tikkis; Finland said… Thanks for these comments, or afterwords, conversation! They are deepening at least my point of view on those haiku. They are building up as wonderful haibuns afterwards! And as many years read Shiki kukai haikus I don't care how many "points" that or this got; if I like a haiku with 0 pts I'm anyway happy to read it! Who says there is something to understand in this world? Best greetings to you all! Tikkis   Link to original results page.