a man by his mailbox
reads a letter, then reads it again—
spring melancholy
Published by
Patricia J. Machmiller
Patricia J. Machmiller began writing haiku in 1975 with Kiyoshi and Kiyoko Tokutomi, founders of the Yuki Teikei Haiku Society. With Jerry Ball, and now Emiko Miyashita, she writes a regular column of haiku commentary, Dojin's Corner, for GEPPO, the newsletter of YTHS. Her book of haiku, Blush of Winter Moon, is published by Jacaranda Press. With Fay Aoyagi she has translated the haiku of Kiyoko Tokutomi, Kiyoko's Sky (Brooks Books, 2002). She has three books of haiga, Mountain Trail: Following the Master (www.lulu.com), The Sweet Reverence of Little Birds (www.lulu.com), and Wild Heart of One Bird Singing (www.lulu.com). The last two books were done in collaboration with the artist, Floy Zittin, and the calligrapher, Martha Dahlen. She is also a brush painter and printmaker; her artwork, including some haiga, can be seen at www.patriciajmachmiller.com. View all posts by Patricia J. Machmiller
There is a slow-growing sadness in this. Like the man by the mailbox, the reader is encouraged to reread.
marion
So much to wonder in these three lines — and the longing that prompted the immediate reading and rereading and the….
This is exquisite.
For three short lines to generate such sadness….A man could reread a letter because it is joyful news, but the third line takes it away. "Spring melancholy".
Wonderful.