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Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,
What a joy to prepare our first CD-Special, with a new logo, of this CD-month. This month our featured haiku-poet is Jack Kerouac (1922-1969), a modern time American haiku-poet. I had heard about him, but had never read a haiku composed by him. So this month will be a revelation to me ... and maybe to you also.
Jean-Louis
"Jack" Kérouac is recognized for
his method of spontaneous prose. Thematically, his work covers topics such as
Catholic spirituality, jazz, promiscuity, Buddhism, drugs, poverty, and travel.
He became an underground celebrity and a progenitor of the
hippie movement, although he remained antagonistic toward some of its politically
radical elements.
In 1969, at age 47, Kerouac died from internal bleeding due to long-term alcohol abuse. Since his death Kerouac's literary prestige has grown and several previously unseen works have been published. All of his books are in print today.
In 1969, at age 47, Kerouac died from internal bleeding due to long-term alcohol abuse. Since his death Kerouac's literary prestige has grown and several previously unseen works have been published. All of his books are in print today.
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| Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) |
Kerouac once said:
[...] "I propose that the 'Western Haiku' simply say a lot in three short lines in any Western language. Above all, a Haiku must be very simple and free of all poetic trickery and make a little picture . . ." [...]
Here is our first Special haiku by Jack Kerouac:
glow worm
sleeping on this flower -
your light's on
© Jack Kerouac
A beauty I think. Will not be an easy task to write a new one ...
Here is my attempt:
'Look! Those strange lights?'
the child says full of surprise
'a cloud of fireflies!'
© Chèvrefeuille
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| A Cloud of Fireflies |
This episode will be open for your submissions tonight at 7.00 PM (CET) and will remain open until May 6th 11.59 AM (CET). I will try to publish our new episode, frog, later on today. For now have fun, be inspired and share your haiku in the spirit of Jack Kerouac with us all here at Carpe Diem Haiku Kai.
I am lucky to have my yard lit up by these insects every year. The grass and up into the maple trees... I watch them call to each other.. (hmm... that could be my haiku??) We'll see :)
ReplyDeleteHey, a beat poet for this month... I might go all Ginsburg and respond with American Sentences... :-)
ReplyDeleteJack would be delighted! :)
DeleteSuch a pretty, delightful theme!
ReplyDeleteSo excited by this prompt - and by your featuring Kerouac!
ReplyDeleteI think Kerouac would be so pleased with your haiku, Kristjaan --
As always, you Challenge us and show the way.
ReplyDeleteAn inspired choice dear comrade!
ReplyDeleteI like glowworms and lightning bugs and little glittery things, but I have to say that Kerouac's writing did not inspire me, so I'm sitting this one out.
ReplyDeletehttp://wp.me/s2YYvK-5383
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed it--what a delightful haiku from kerouac