John Stevenson
the thump
of a thousand rumps
returning to their pews in unison
– John Stevenson
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Haiku of the Day
the thump
of a thousand rumps
returning to their pews in unison
– John Stevenson
Comments are closed.
the thump
of a thousand rumps
returning to their pews in unison
— John Stevenson, Some of the Silence, Red Moon Press, 1999
Those to whom the use of rhyme in haikai is anathema can often be disarmed by calling it assonance or consonance. Of which this splendidly sonorous verse, instantly recognisable to those who’ve attended large meetings or congregations, is an entertaining and joyous example. It takes a special talent to find the internal rhyme “pews in unison!”
Again, the end rhyme and the internal rhyme help to make this verse memorable.
Do you think Bashō would use these techniques? Oh yes, he does on at least one occasion. But then, the verse in question is not remotely humorous, but powerful, and saturated with yugen. I’m preparing a piece on it.