Haiku –
myriads of meanings, images, and memories
Words have a
meaning. In haiku, words and the various combinations of
words usually have many meanings and images, depending on
the experiences, personality, and knowledge of each reader.
So no haiku will induce the same results for any two
readers. Reading haiku is thus an adventure for each reader
becoming engaged with not just what is worded and poetized
but also with what is not explicitly stated. That is why I
enjoy reading people’s comments and the poet’s explanations
of their poems. Unexpected awakenings and new awareness can
spring forth. I hope this is true for you too. You will find
some good examples of such possibilities if you read John’s
comments in the last issue about the results of the
first Showcase Haiku--"Through An Open Door". To
find his comments, scroll down the right side after opening
to Poetry Genres, click on Featuring Sketchbook
Poets, click on John Daleiden, then click on Featuring
Showcase Haiku Haijin...Through An Open Door.
The candle theme for this thread offers a lode of meanings,
images, and memories ready to be unleashed. Candles have
been used for centuries and even the advent of electricity
has not dulled their use and significance. They are
associated with celebrations, religious rites, special
occasions, used in arts & crafts, can offer comfort and
entertainment, and have become a part of many of our
activities. This is very obvious from the haiku in this
thread. I hope you do the filling in after my comments.
Christmas
the colorful candles
light up Bethlehem
# 37. Priyanka Bhowmick
This haiku
recalls that historic event which changed a lot of what
happened afterwards, eventually used as the basis for the
calendar a good number of us use as well as our previous use
of B.C. and A.D. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII wanted to correct
the Julian calendar, a product of Julius Caesar, and so he
established his own calendar to match more closely the solar
year. By that date the Julian calendar had added 10 more
days to the solar year. So we ended up with 10 fewer days in
October and 1 extra day in February every four years. We are
reminded that perfection is never achieved in this life.
Despite Gregory’s changes, by 4316 there will then be 1
extra day compared to solar years. I can be thankful to
Gregory since I have a special day on which to celebrate my
birthday and use fewer candles for its celebration. This
should also give us occasion to reflect that we are all
prone to commit errors. Gregory miscalculated the year in
which the Child Jesus was born by perhaps as many as 4 – 6
years. According to his calendar, Jesus might have been born
in 4 B.C. or even as early as 6 B.C. If a lesson is to be
learned, we can know that there are some errors that are not
upsetting and with which we can calmly live.
flames
of divinity
mingled with silence—
baptismal ceremony
# 43. Munia Khan, BD
Every culture
has its birth rite, an official acceptance into the
community. Baptism for many is no ordinary event, but one
that confers new spiritual powers and entry into a mystical
body. We all realize the importance of a birth or baptismal
certificate.
among
mom’s
jewels
baptismal candles
# 34. Alegria Imperial, CA
The birth and
baptism of a child is without doubt most meaningful to the
mother. A mother never forgets.
the first
birthday—
first time on his feet gazing
at a single flame
# 08. Djurdja Vukelic-Rozic, CR
Not every
birthday is memorable, but this one was. We might have all
been gazing at a single flame, but not the first time on our
feet. Maybe, there were other things that made your first
birthday memorable.
around
the table...
three generations
in the candles’ glow
# 10. Cara Holman, US
Among my kin and
relatives, I have some examples of three generations and
even four still living together and not only coming together
to celebrate a birthday.
birthday
candles
too many tree rings
to count
# 60. Cara Holman, US
What a
wonderful, imaginative way to count the years and link
candles with trees. Candles are made out of bee’s wax and
the hives of wild bees are found in the hollow openings of
trees. A song once popular easily comes to mind: "The Taste
Of Honey".
in candle
light
a dinner for two
her face glows
# 70. Sandra Martyres, IN
Important times
in many people’s lives are the days of dating and courting.
This recalls a very memorable occasion. “Her face glows”
could refer to a first meaningful date. Then again, it could
recall a lot of other pleasant occasions.
alone by
candlelight
thinking of that spring we met
and another spring…
# 65. Chen-ou Liu, CA
Chen-ou makes us
linger reading this and trying to come to grasp with a lot
of possibilities. Does “Alone” mean one or two? Then the
double use of “spring” sends us off into many guesses about
that other spring.
together
they light their wedding candle—
incense fills the air
# 140. Yamadori, US
In Yamadori’s
haiku the symbolism of lighting one candle perfectly
reflects the commitment that has just been made. The two
have become one flesh. His “incense fills the air” amplifies
the meaning of the marriage and might even be a hint of
“increase and multiply” as well as helping each other
realize their human potentialities.
bee wax
dripping
shaped in teardrops
a burning Good-bye!
# 39. Munia Khan, BD
Munia packs a
lot of emotion in this haiku, the cause we can only guess
at: a sudden parting, breaking up, heartbreak,…? This also
reminds me of the uses of candle wax: wax drippings on a
collage, wax flowing down the sides of a colored bottle from
the burning candle stuck in it, lit candles held by those
praying, protesting, and commemorating.
Tonka also provides us a haiku full of feeling with this
next haiku.
by the
candlelight
raindrops
so dense
# 87. Tonka Lovric, CR
~~~~~~
Candles can be a
source of entertainment as exemplified by the following:
candlelit
study
three shadows chase each other
around the wall
#61. Chen-ou Liu, CA
sputter of flame
magnified shadow of a moth
jiggles on the wall
# 22. Emily Romano, US
candle’s dancing flame
shadow playing hide and seek
a stormy night falls
# 06. Munia Khan, BD
With Munia’s
haiku we can imagine the electricity going out due to the
storm and the family resorting to lighting a candle. The
shadow would be an entertaining distraction or a source of
comfort.
~~~~~~
early
nightfall ...
a candle flickers
in the beggar's hut
# 74. Keith A. Simmonds, TT
With Keith’s
haiku, I immediately picture this scene which soon comingles
with a crowd of feelings. There is a sense of aloneness and
loneliness. Early nightfall gives me the impression that
this was a disappointing day and there is a certain degree
of resignation which he has come to know. It might also
indicate that this is winter which reflects the bleakness of
the experience. The beggar is in a hut and not a house or
home and this conveys a sense of being outside the
community, a certain kind of rejection or being pushed
aside, reduced to the level of begging. This may not be of
his own choosing and he might be a victim of the current
state of affairs. This pricks my conscience. The candle
maybe provides some comfort, some kind of companionship, and
perhaps a bit of hope for a better tomorrow. It does flicker
though and all of this is tenuous like life itself. There
are no guarantees.
~~~~~~
I am thinking
that in this next haiku, Smajil is addressing the present
state of affairs and the tribulations of living even with
faith. Sometimes we have questions which cannot be answered
or we suffer difficulties which seem to have no solution.
The worms may have found a secure spot within the earth,
which reminds us that someday we shall also be interred in
the earth.
The glory
and the light
of the faith hide. Today
even the worms are wise
# 59. Smajil Durmisevic, BA
Candles are
easily associated with prayer, worship, churches, and
wishing.
the
steady flames
of tea candles
my mother’s prayers
# 32. Alegria Imperial, CA
altar
candles
each flicker
a sigh
# 42. Alegria Imperial, CA
a
lighted candle
blurs the blue cathedral air—
wax on the table
# 80. Vladimir Ludvig, CR
I think I would
find Vladimir’s comments about his haiku interesting.
crowned
candle light
soaring nightingales
in Lucia ceremony
# 123. Karin Anderson, AU
In this haiku
Karin reminds us of the traditional ceremony held in Italy,
Malta, the United States and other countries. Here is an
explanation, from Wikipedia, of the ceremony
held in the Nordic countries.
In Sweden, Estonia, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, Lucy
(called Lucia) is venerated on December 13 in a ceremony
where a girl (some boys have been voted as Lucy) is elected
to portray Lucia. Wearing a white gown with a red sash and a
crown of candles on her head, she walks at the head of a
procession of women, each holding a candle. The candles
symbolize the fire that refused to take St. Lucia's life
when she was sentenced to be burned. The women sing a Lucia
song while entering the room, to the melody of the
traditional Neapolitan song Santa Lucia; the Italian lyrics
describe the view from Santa Lucia in Naples, the various
Scandinavian lyrics are fashioned for the occasion,
describing the light with which Lucia overcomes the
darkness. Each Scandinavian country has lyrics in their
native tongues. After finishing this song, the procession
sings Christmas carols or more songs about Lucia.
~~~~~~
Nowadays there
are candles with so many kinds of fragrances which can
create pleasant moments and recalls.
prayer
candles
from the Virgin’s robe
the essence of roses
# 44. Alegria Imperial, CA
old
candles
my grandmother's favorite
the jasmine scented
# 35. Priyanka Bhowmick, IN
Priyanka has
chosen “jasmine” for a reason, perhaps for its symbolism.
Indian jasmine, or white jasmine, is symbolic of the notions
of attachment and sensuality. Particularly in the East,
gifts of jasmine flowers represent the idea that the
presenter is saying "I attach myself" to the recipient. The
sweet scent of jasmine flowers often invokes feelings of
sensuality, and the white, star-shaped flowers can also
symbolize amiability.
The Spanish jasmine is a yellow jasmine that is often
associated with grace and elegance in addition to
sensuality. Prized for its simple beauty and sweet
fragrance, Eastern women have worn jasmine flowers in their
hair for centuries, solidifying its reputation as the bloom
of choice among modest, elegant and graceful women.
The jasmine also holds strong spiritual and religious
significance, as it has been a constant symbol of divinity
and hope. One double variety of jasmine is said to be held
sacred by Vishnu, the Supreme God in the Vaishnavite
tradition of Hinduism, and the blossoms are often used as
votive burnings or other religious offerings to symbolize
the divine hope he represents.
~~~~~~
Eventually our
lives will end in death.
a
meltdown on the rim
of the candlestick
silver and black
# 02. Vania Stefanova, BG
Vania has
encased a cornucopia of meanings in her haiku. Candles are
used to measure time. The wax is sacrificed in the burning.
She reminds us how something cataclysmic can happen.
“Meltdown” now has an nuclear significance. We live in
dangerous times, on the rim/edge so to speak. Death means
darkness and black is associated with death. Silver in this
case might symbolize what we hold precious or consider
lasting, our faith. I interpret Vania’s haiku as a death.
Our light/life is extinguished. We are sent into
darkness/unknown territory. We have lived our lives in
sacrifice, giving and using up, and have reached the end of
our journey on this earth.
early
dusk
the candle melts
into itself
# 58. Cara Holman, US
Whereas Vania’s
haiku might be more concerned with the fact of death, Cara’s
haiku might be more concerned about the quality of living.
In order to live we must die to ourselves. Maybe, Cara is
thinking of the length of a life. “Early dusk” suggests
someone who has not lived a long life.
perfumed
candles
light up her grave
a daughter's blessing
# 72. Sandra Martyres, IN
Prayer may be a
daily exercise not calling for the use of candles, but it is
those special reasons to pray which entice us to light a
candle. After death we remember the deceased, visiting the
grave or even lighting votive candles in church.
vigil
candles
the flicker
of mumbled prayers
# 03. Alegria Imperial, CA
graveyard visits
same candle
one prayer
# 36. Alegria Imperial, CA
~~~~~~
In this next
haiku P K Padhy reminds us that the power of candle light
should not be underestimated because of its small flame. The
flame of a candle may be very tiny, but its impact can be
felt around the world. Some of you have not let us forget
these memorable occasions, not all of which are pleasant.
lone
candle—
another solar system
brightened
# 95. P K Padhy, IN
Candle light can
send us beyond our own ego system out into the world and its
tribulations. When huddled together or in a procession,
candle light can send a message world-wide.
quelled
candle
he straightens the cold limbs
of a battered child
# 45. Karen O'Leary, US
farewell—England’s rose!
Elton’s “Candle In The Wind”
sadness in the air
# 49. Munia Khan, BD
Sunday offering…
candles, roses and prayers
for our soldiers
# 56. Willie R. Bongcaron, PH
a
long procession
of flaming candles ...
a march for peace
# 76. Keith A. Simmonds, TT
St.
Gertrude website
one by one he lights candles
for his family
# 11. Chen-ou Liu, CA
I had to google
St. Gertrude website to find out what Chen-ou’s haiki was
all about. I found that the site features the Historical
Museum at St. Gertrude, a museum in Idaho with over 60,000
artifacts, displaying 10,000 of these, and which has been
operating for 80 years. What’s remarkable is that each
object is accompanied with the story of who possessed and
used it. Chen-ou highlights such individuality with “one by
one” emphasizing the importance of each member of the
family. I encourage you to google the site.
Here is another haiku I had to google to find out about what
happened in Vukovar. Djurdja reminds us of the Vukovar
massacre, which took place in 1991 in Croatia. A total of
263 men and 1 woman were murdered by members of the Serb
militias.
two
decades later
candlelight in the streets—
the town of Vukovar
# 53. Djurdja Vukelic-Rozic, CR
Christmas is a
time of giving and many are generous in their giving. There
are many who don’t receive a gift from us or anyone else at
this time. But gift giving and remembering those casting
shadows need to be something we do throughout the year and
not just during the Christmas season.
candlelight—
an old beggar throwing
shadows on the wall
# 139. Cezar-Florin Ciobīcă, RO
There are many
beautiful haiku in this thread revealing emotions,
contrasting light with darkness, and other experiences which
captivated their authors and which can provide us with a
multitude of meanings and feelings. I hope that Karina and
John will give us their insights with their choices.
