I've felt strangely at home in two disparate countries, that of Australia, and Japan! As I'm almost 6' 3", I might have seemed like a giant sequoia to some people in Japan, but felt less of an outlier there for some reason.
I love the opening phrase, as I've often felt displace in my childhood home town, and country, at times. It can be amazing on a literal level if a giant tree, or natural momument such as Uluru, are just not part of the natural environment but actually "help" to make it both natural and special at the same time.
Isn't that the feeling immigrants want when they enter a new country? I always felt that I belonged, and I think my brother or parents did, when we lived in foreign countries growing up. Refuges, if welcomed, can feel like they belong although it would be more difficult to be sure. Perhaps, the childhood experience of being a sapling is easier. Thanks, Victor.
Belonging….
just that first word sets off resonance. Your poem is lovely and encouraged me to ponder the places where I was an outsider, yet felt completely at peace. Some kind of internal harmony.
November 18th, 2019 at 9:50 am
.
belonging
where I don’t belong
giant sequoia
—VICTOR ORTIZ
I've felt strangely at home in two disparate countries, that of Australia, and Japan! As I'm almost 6' 3", I might have seemed like a giant sequoia to some people in Japan, but felt less of an outlier there for some reason.
I love the opening phrase, as I've often felt displace in my childhood home town, and country, at times. It can be amazing on a literal level if a giant tree, or natural momument such as Uluru, are just not part of the natural environment but actually "help" to make it both natural and special at the same time.
Lovely haiku!
Alan Summers
Call of the Page
November 18th, 2019 at 10:34 am
LOVE this one. Can totally relate. Thanks.
November 18th, 2019 at 5:23 pm
Really nice haiku, Victor.
November 18th, 2019 at 5:52 pm
Very nicely done, Victor. Great image and mood – it brings back memories of camping in the Redwoods!
November 18th, 2019 at 6:56 pm
Isn't that the feeling immigrants want when they enter a new country? I always felt that I belonged, and I think my brother or parents did, when we lived in foreign countries growing up. Refuges, if welcomed, can feel like they belong although it would be more difficult to be sure. Perhaps, the childhood experience of being a sapling is easier. Thanks, Victor.
November 18th, 2019 at 7:18 pm
Victor –
LOVE your poem. Thank you for taking me there today with this spiritual observation.
November 18th, 2019 at 8:47 pm
Belonging….
just that first word sets off resonance. Your poem is lovely and encouraged me to ponder the places where I was an outsider, yet felt completely at peace. Some kind of internal harmony.
Thank you.
November 18th, 2019 at 10:54 pm
Moving and wonderful! And, the contrast of 'belonging' in the first line, shows
your craftsmanship (as always!)
November 19th, 2019 at 9:04 am
Oh yes! To be rooted like a giant sequoia…