It was very sad to hear about the passing of André Surridge. I know he must have been a fine person because I spent thirteen months in Hull as renga poet-in-residence, and there's something very special about the city and its people.
I regularly come back to this haiku, not only because it touches on a single day, which is special in itself, but because it's packed with layers. A close reader and an empathic one, will continue to be astonished at how much is really here.
As With Words became Call of the Page we've continued to use this as a powerful example of looking beyond the words and into the human condition.
Remembrance Day–
the child insists on a poppy
for her doll
André Surridge
Hamilton, New Zealand
1st With Words International Online Haiku Competition (2008)
Joint 3rd Prize
The 'Remembrance Day' haiku starts simply enough, but with a surprise in the 'phrase' part of the haiku. Many of us may think special memorial days are for 'last century's wars' but without preaching, only showing, this poem reminds me that wars are still very much with us. I found that the scene with the little girl insisting on a poppy for her doll was very potent.
https://withwords.org.uk/results.html#2008commentarydeepest condolences,
Alan Summers
www.callofthepage.orgIt is with regret that I inform you that New Zealand haiku and tanka poet Andre Surridge passed away on December 23.
A tribute page to him may be found here: https://poetrysociety.org.nz/affiliates/haiku-nz/haiku-happenings/
Topic: Vale Andre Surridge, 1951-2019 (Read 1338 times)