Senryu 26.08.14

[rayheinrich]

[spoiler]

I agree that Issa was great. Buson is my favorite.

Issa is my fave, but Shiki comes in a close 2nd

Those have the traditional elements, like juxtaposition, dominant phrases, and seasonal references. But they are pretty straightforward snapshots, otherwise. No metaphors, no contradictions, no ambiguity.

The second one gets a little mystical..but it's ok.

As for ambiguity, it's the one contained in all haiku:

"Just what, given the vastness of the world and our limited
view of it, do these words speak of?" - Noam Chomsky quoting
some famous linguist from the past whose name I have either
forgotten or never knew


And as for metaphors and contradictions:

the mother eats
the bitter parts -
mountain persimmons

Metaphors (among others): sacrifices/responsibilities/sorrows of motherhood
Contradictions: The ones inherent in being a mother joy/grief



this world of dew
is only a world of dew -
and yet

Metaphors: dew = tears, grief, travails of life
Contradictions: the world contains only dew... and yet (there's more than just dew)



the spring rain -
a little girl teaches
the cat to dance

Metaphors:
spring rain (and by inference its dancing drops)= the little girl dancing
(and since spring is the beginning of life it's a little girl
little girl = life
cat = us
to dance = to live life well
(includes the most common metaphor found in haiku:
the first part = the second part)
Contradictions: cats/us can't be taught



my old home
everywhere I touch -
thorns

Metaphors: old home = the past / thorns = painful memories
Contradictions: the hyperbole of 'everywhere I touch'



Here's another one that has all three in spades:

these sea slugs -
they don't seem
Japanese