I love this haiku – the symbolism of the goldfish bowl works so effectively. And kids have that way of speaking so directly and taking us by surprise. A 'jolt' of a haiku that makes me smile and think.
__The -goldfish bowl, in my inept view, refers to the limits of life; perhaps that is the key to the daughter's caring question. A deep, humanistic senryu. _m
Whenever I see a goldfish haiku, I always remember this fun one from David Cobb,co-founder of the British Haiku Society, and I enjoy the comparison of:
goldfish bowl
my daughter asks
if I’m going to die
—JOHN MCMANUS
And
it's no use mouthing
O after O at me —
I don't speak Goldfish!
David Cobb
Mounting Shadows (142 haiku and senryu), Equinox Press, 1992
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Despite a life of goldfish when a youngster, I've only ever written one goldfish haiku, from a British Haiku Society residential event:
scattered leaves on a pond
goldfish surfacing
[two line haiku]
Alan Summers
Publications credits: Albatross, The Constanza Haiku Society, Romania
Vol. III No.1 Spring-Summer/No.2 Autumn-Winter 1994
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.
The question comes as a surprise in the midst of the daily or mundane (as children's questions so often do). A goldfish bowl is an excellent 'objective correlative' for the idea of the (invisible) limits to our lives.
There's a lot more to this one than the usual run of 'cute kiddie ku', as you show in your selection of 'goldfish bowl' to juxtapose with the question.
March 11th, 2015 at 8:52 am
Most morbid haiku I ever read!
LIGHTEN UP!
bali beach
full moon
on full moon
Mike
March 11th, 2015 at 9:28 am
I love this haiku – the symbolism of the goldfish bowl works so effectively. And kids have that way of speaking so directly and taking us by surprise. A 'jolt' of a haiku that makes me smile and think.
March 11th, 2015 at 11:15 am
Excellent ku, John – a poignant parental moment conveyed with gentle humour – simply and perfectly executed.
March 11th, 2015 at 12:06 pm
Great one!
March 11th, 2015 at 5:47 pm
__The -goldfish bowl, in my inept view, refers to the limits of life; perhaps that is the key to the daughter's caring question. A deep, humanistic senryu. _m
March 11th, 2015 at 7:05 pm
An absolute winner.
Bill K
March 11th, 2015 at 8:09 pm
A terrific juxtaposition, John, and it feels authentic, even if it's not. Perfection!
Susan
March 12th, 2015 at 1:10 am
.
.
Whenever I see a goldfish haiku, I always remember this fun one from David Cobb,co-founder of the British Haiku Society, and I enjoy the comparison of:
goldfish bowl
my daughter asks
if I’m going to die
—JOHN MCMANUS
And
it's no use mouthing
O after O at me —
I don't speak Goldfish!
David Cobb
Mounting Shadows (142 haiku and senryu), Equinox Press, 1992
.
.
Despite a life of goldfish when a youngster, I've only ever written one goldfish haiku, from a British Haiku Society residential event:
scattered leaves on a pond
goldfish surfacing
[two line haiku]
Alan Summers
Publications credits: Albatross, The Constanza Haiku Society, Romania
Vol. III No.1 Spring-Summer/No.2 Autumn-Winter 1994
.
.
March 12th, 2015 at 11:52 am
Ah, we are only here for a short time, aren't we? I particularly love your children haiku, John.
marion
March 12th, 2015 at 1:50 pm
The question comes as a surprise in the midst of the daily or mundane (as children's questions so often do). A goldfish bowl is an excellent 'objective correlative' for the idea of the (invisible) limits to our lives.
There's a lot more to this one than the usual run of 'cute kiddie ku', as you show in your selection of 'goldfish bowl' to juxtapose with the question.
Very well done, John!
– Lorin
March 12th, 2015 at 9:21 pm
Having lost a number of goldfish in my time, this haiku feel so authentic.
March 15th, 2015 at 7:07 am
Startling!