wilderness
one more stop to speak
a flower’s name

Published by

Philip Whitley

Philip Whitley was born in North Carolina and grew up in a small southeastern town with a population the same as it was when he lived there. He is a sculptor who came to haiku late in life and expects he will continue exploring the haiku form, well, forever.

10 thoughts on “”

  1. .

    wilderness
    one more stop to speak
    a flower’s name

    —PHILIP WHITLEY

    The first word/line almost makes for a haiku like 'tundra' by Cor van den Heuvel!

    I think your haiku is fantastic. I can see why you didn't use the definite article [the] as it would detract into something else.

    I love how you have used the line break, even if it's the right place anyway, but there is something special about:

    "one more stop to speak"

    perhaps it's the alliteration and how the line interacts separately with the opening line and then the closing line.

    wilderness
    one more stop to speak

    *

    one more stop to speak
    the flower’s name

    Thank you, it's a poem that has lifted me, by a lot.

    warm regards,
    Alan

  2. I love this so much! A simple thing – to name a flower – to acknowledge its existence by name rather than just passing by. Maybe in answer to a child's question, or a friend's, or just whispered to the self because you know or because you had to look it up on your phone. The joy of knowing by name, of elevating to importance. Love everything about it.

  3. A lovely haiku Philip! So much in that last line, 'to speak a flower's name'. 'One more stop" seems filled with delight and awe in discovering yet another flower you know by name.

  4. wilderness
    one more stop to look up
    a flower?s name
    .
    To be used in the event of forgetfulness.

  5. " to speak a flower's name"–to elevate it by naming it. A beautiful haiku. It makes all the difference in the world to be called by name.

  6. Thank you all for such kind remarks. It's a joy to communicate! I'm looking forward to tomorrow's poem.

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