Friday, October 20, 2017

Carpe Diem Extra October 20th 2017 Universe

credits
Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

Welcome at this new CDHK Extra. I publish this new CDHK Extra, because I have an announcement to make, don't worry it's a happy announcement. I have created a new feature in which I hope to get a conversation started. In the five years of our existence we haven't had a way of conversation in which you can ask things, can share thoughts and ideas and more.

Recently I started reading "Aleph" (by Paulo Coelho) again and today I ran into a part of that novel that I couldn't remember reading earlier, or at least it didn't find its way into my memory. That part starts with the following:

"The table in the lounge is the center of the universe, around which we gather every day for breakfast, lunch and supper, and where we talk about life and our hopes for the future".

This lounge is on the Trans Siberian Railroad and Paulo Coelho and his companions "live" their during their journey. So that table is very important to them.

logo of this new feature
I love to try to create a kind of "virtual lounge" were we can "talk" with each other about anything (of course related to Japanese poetry). So I have created a new page titled "Carpe Diem Center of the Universe", which you can find above in the menu or by clicking HERE.

I will start with the first 'theme' to open this virtual conversation. You can respond, being part of the conversation, through the comment field. Feel free to take part in this conversation.

Here is the first theme:

What means haiku to you? What has haiku brought you?

Namasté,

Chèvrefeuille, your host.

7 comments:

  1. It was January 1st, 2014 when I discovered this blog. The theme was 'Aleph'. I was completely "hooked". I love this blog, but that January was my favorite month of all the times at CD. So much that I even remember the date. Thanks for everything!

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  2. Hello Chèvrefeuille! Thank you for hosting. This haiku platform has beome my secret place. Haiku has given a voice to my soul- which now speaks a language only other haiku poets understand.
    By the same token haiku has allowed me hear the hearts and souls of others- like entering into a 'good' twilght zone. :)

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  3. Hi Kristjaan! Thank you for giving us this new platform.
    Haiku means different things to me. It's a way of expressing myself in a disciplined way. It's a daily exercise to wake up my brain and find inspiration. Haiku can be single gems or develop into other forms of poetry. Most of all, haiku guided me to Carpe Diem, where I have discovered like-minded poets, prompts and challenges, my go-to place.

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  4. Hello Kristjaan and thank you for hosting this new feature! To me, haiku is something that finds me, taps me on the shoulder, like a new awakening. A haiku is natural and flows, I do not compose these poems at my desk. They are a snapshot, a moment captured in a few words, often with layered meaning. Many haiku find me when we are out walking with the dogs, sometimes they find me in meditation or when I am relaxing at home and browsing through my photographs. I have learned to carry small notebooks and pens with me over the years to record the haiku and these days I will often tap them into my phone if I do not have paper to hand. I particulary enjoy CDHK and what you are doing here, teaching me something new everyday. This is by far the best haiku website I have come across and it is in keeping with the spontaneity of haiku. Thank you again for all the work you are putting into this site. It feels like it is a labour of love and it is always a delight to be here xxx

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    Replies
    1. You make me blush Xenia. My haiku are "snapshots", but part of them is composed behind my desk. Often my haiku just flow during the preparations of the posts at CDHK. And sometimes, I don't have enough inspiration, than I search my archives to find a haiku or tanka that fits the post.
      Haiku is very imporatnt in my life. I discovered haiku in the late eighties and I was immediately addicted to this small, but awesome, poem. Back in the eighties I used a lot of words to make my point, haiku taught me how to "make my point" through a maximum of (say) 20 words. I learned to give words to my feelings through haiku.

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    2. Wow, that is so beautiful Kristjaan! There is a special magic around haiku that feels unique and goes beyond poetry.

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  5. Hi Kristjaan and family,

    I like this idea of a 'lounge'. I can see us all sitting on cozy chairs discussing Japanese poetry. I have learned so much from being a part of this haiku family.
    The interesting back stories that you provide, Kristjaan, have guided me in my writing, as I continue my attempts to paint a picture of a moment in as brief a poem as is possible. I appreciate the hard work that goes into this site, and the love which I think we all can feel.

    Haiku is challenging. It is a beautiful abbreviation of life. Thank you.

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