Knocks me out! I have read nothing but the Japanese masters since I became interested in Haiku…Now, ..just starting "tiny words" …cannot believe the quality and imagination of some of these contemporary poems!
Michael this poem touches the heart and I am proud of you. Unlike Japanese masters the English language does not always lend itself to perfect 5/7/5 syllables-nor do they all refer to a time of season. Michael Lee Johnson, the Itasca, IL poet.
I like the contrast between limitless ocean and the limitations of being human. And the whole intent behind the poem, the unspoken desire to strive beyond all setbacks. Our bodies may only travel "so far" but our eyes, our minds and imaginations. . .
March 6th, 2015 at 1:07 pm
Knocks me out! I have read nothing but the Japanese masters since I became interested in Haiku…Now, ..just starting "tiny words" …cannot believe the quality and imagination of some of these contemporary poems!
March 6th, 2015 at 2:26 pm
Michael this poem touches the heart and I am proud of you. Unlike Japanese masters the English language does not always lend itself to perfect 5/7/5 syllables-nor do they all refer to a time of season. Michael Lee Johnson, the Itasca, IL poet.
March 7th, 2015 at 8:08 am
Only so far…
March 8th, 2015 at 2:48 pm
I like the contrast between limitless ocean and the limitations of being human. And the whole intent behind the poem, the unspoken desire to strive beyond all setbacks. Our bodies may only travel "so far" but our eyes, our minds and imaginations. . .
March 10th, 2015 at 2:42 pm
How touching!
marion
March 12th, 2015 at 1:41 pm
Nicely done, Michael. It's interesting to place this haiku alongside that famous Japanese one about a baby pram facing the waves.
– Lorin
March 24th, 2015 at 9:15 am
Which famous poem, by whom? Could you quote it here, please? (I don't think I know it.)
March 12th, 2015 at 9:27 pm
This one reminds me of the days I spent trying to push a stroller into the sand for my toddlers. I wonder if I can write a poem about that …
stroller on sand
the futility
of trying to
contain a toddler
at the beach
March 15th, 2015 at 7:06 am
Excellent!
March 24th, 2015 at 2:14 pm
Michael, there is more than one translation of the haiku I had in mind; this is the one I've found in 'Far Beyond the Field':
ubaguruma natsu no doto ni yoko muki ni
the baby carriage
and the wild waves
side by side in summer
– Hashimoto Takako (1899 – 1963)
March 24th, 2015 at 3:24 pm
I've read "Far Beyond the Field," but do not remember this poem. Not sure I'd call it famous, but I'm glad to be reminded of it.
April 18th, 2017 at 3:43 am
attractive work admin.