EASTER HAIKU

What is the meaning of life? That was all – a simple question; one that tended to close in on one with years, the great revelation had never come. The great revelation perhaps never did come. Instead, there were little daily miracles, illuminations, matches struck unexpectedly in the dark.

Virginia Woolf, To the Lighthouse

In a lecture on the haiku and its influence on English poetry, Seamus Heaney said: ‘Mono no aware is defined in a glossary of Japanese artistic terms as a literary and artistic ideal cultivated in the Heian period. Literally meaning “pathos of things”, it usually refers to sadness or melancholy arising from a deep empathic appreciation of the ephemeral beauty manifested in nature, human life or a work of art.’ It was perhaps a sense of mono no aware that inspired me to respond in haiku form to the cherry blossom’s faithful blooming as the snow melted.

A March morning’s walk
Faint sun, wide skies. Suddenly
I hear the skylark

My open window
I can’t see the woodpecker
But hear him again

Yesterday’s snow gone
Cherry blossom’s whiteness
Eclipses my words.

The splendour of the cherry blossom eclipses my poor efforts.

Still life, pastel on paper, March 2018
2 thoughts on “EASTER HAIKU”
  • Jacques Delaguerre

    A lovely posting and a lovely pastel. You seem to have a delicate soul. The wife and I are not greatly familiar with your work, but we have enjoyed seeing you as Peter Wimsey and as Léon in the Maigret mystery. You play persons with delicate souls. It must be type casting. Happy Easter.

  • alison

    While I was watching Nigel Havers The Charmer on you tube. I accidentally found out Lord Peter Wimsey was also uploaded. WHAT A SURPRISED. !!!!!!!!!!!! I remember 1987 or 1988 Hong Kong , the very first time i watched Lord Peter Wimsey on TV, one episode per week. I knew very little English and hardly understood the story. But i was fascinating and can’t wait for the next week to come for the next episode. Thank God for you tube , and i subscribe your channel of course. I will go to my local book store to order your book, I still live in Hong Kong . Pls stay healthy and continue to upload your channel. Happy Easter.

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