Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,
Today our first Special for this month. This month the Special haiku are written by Kyoshi Takahama (1874-1958). See for more information on Kyoshi our Carpe Diem May 2013 page The first haiku which I love to share with you is the following (I couldn't find the Romaji-translation):
a dead chrysanthemum
and yet - isn't there still something
remaining in it?
I think this one has a deeper layer based on Zen-Buddhism's idea of 'Emptiness', but maybe you all think something else. Please share your thoughts on this haiku and write a new haiku inspired on the one by Kyoshi. Have fun, be inspired and share.
This prompt will stay on 'till May 6th 11.59 AM (CET) and I will post our new episode, another step in our journey through the Tarot, The Empress (III), later on today around 10.00 PM (CET).
Such a wonderful thought-provoking haiku/prompt.
ReplyDeleteI can think about emptiness in many ways, event without being zen, But that was my impression from the haiku as well.
ReplyDeleteTakahama is now in my favorite haiku poet list!
ReplyDeleteKristjaan, I definitely see emptiness in this one--Zen emptiness is about infinite possibility, about seeing things in many ways and this haiku embodies that so nicely.
ReplyDeleteAs always, a wonderfully inspiring challenge. Blessings.
ReplyDeletealoha Kristjaan - I see a beauty in the cycle of a blossom—or in this case the chrysanthemum, which might also mean the entire plant I suppose. this cycle includes the stage we sometimes refer to as death or decay. even in decay which seems to infer a more ongoing part of the cycle (altho death to is only one moment of many moments) there is the visual beauty of subtle earth tones and often transparency. I like seeing this (and I see this in the Kyoshi Takahama haiku). i also like seeing this state as a returning or continuation of the cycle of life. in this case the breaking down of matter into forms that may be easier for other life forms to utilize and in doing so continue the cycle of life. as long as I recognize the matter as "chrysanthemum" something indeed would still remain of it. I like that too. this is what the haiku brings up for me beautifully in these very few words. I like that. aloha. Rick.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the hint of emptiness. I liked very much to work on this prompt!
ReplyDeletei love that haiku! i've missed so many great prompts for this month but seriously find myself too busy and just too drained.lol but i have to comfort myself by reading everyone else's haiku. :)
ReplyDeletethere is life there yet
ReplyDeletethanks for the prompt that always inspires
I love this prompt...
ReplyDeletethought it would be "easy"...
the words never came til today.
Thank you...excellent prompt.
Peace
Siggi
Kristjaan, miss you. I hope you are an enjoying a wonderful break and nothing more. Hugs
ReplyDeleteGood day Judy I am not on a break, I publish every day on Carpe Diem, but sometimes it's a struggle to write the episodes and sometimes I publish not on time, but I am there. Thanks for your comment.
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