only so far
onto the beach
tracks of a wheelchair
Published by
Michael Dylan Welch
Michael Dylan Welch served two terms as poet laureate of Redmond, Washington, where he has curated monthly SoulFood Poetry Night readings since 2006 and was president of the Redmond Association of Spokenword for more than 15 years. His books include True Colour, a collection of solo rengay, and Seven Suns, Seven Moons. He founded and continues to direct the annual Seabeck Haiku Getaway, runs National Haiku Writing Month (www.nahaiwrimo.com), and serves as a director of the biennial Haiku North America conference. He has been keynote speaker for the Haiku International Association conference in Tokyo, and in 2012 one of his translations from the Japanese appeared on the back of 150 million U.S. postage stamps. His personal website is www.graceguts.com, devoted mostly to poetry. View all posts by Michael Dylan Welch
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. . .
How touching!
marion
Nicely done, Michael. It's interesting to place this haiku alongside that famous Japanese one about a baby pram facing the waves.
– Lorin
Which famous poem, by whom? Could you quote it here, please? (I don't think I know it.)
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
Excellent!
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)
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.
attractive work admin.