Per Diem for March 2019: A Taste of Melancholy
This month, Sandi Pray takes us on a journey into the gloomy world of melancholy – that feeling of insidious sadness with no obvious cause. Sometimes in our lives, we are caught up in feelings of sorrow for no reason. They can be triggered by a memory, a piece of music, a period of isolation, or just a feeling. Whatever causes it, it is part of being human, and Pray presents a collection that gives us pause to reflect on our own lives as well as the lives, and doldrums, of others.
the taste of melancholy . . .
‘A feeling of thoughtful sadness.’
– Princeton University
on a bare branch
a crow is perched
autumn evening
– Matsuo Basho
Who among us has not had these moments – the aftertaste of loss, loneliness, illness, aging, regret or a night bird’s cry? Haiku has given us a way to touch, to see, to feel, to taste the thought of sadness with very few words.
Throughout history poets, like the ones showcased in this month’s per diem, have helped us know that alone . . we are not alone. I hope you enjoy the collection.
– Sandi Pray
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Thank you very much, Sandi for selecting my “funeral haiku” on March 29, 2019.
*
funeral
her first journey
alone
*
Marta Chocilowska
I would like to take part
..how shall I do it? Thanks
her lap
a pat on cat -for both
last sleep
an old man
kneeling at a fresh grave
salty taste of tears
dawn’s break
breaking dawn’s barrier
tears swell
flowery dress
how well disguised
her sadness
I just stumbled onto this and I like the mood today’s poem evokes:
charred cedars
how cold the white
of early snow
– Ron C Moss
It will be great to read on the theme, one poem at a time, each day. Thank you Sandy
perfect; there’s a touch of it in everyday ( well personally speaking anyway )
all your photo
a touch – my crave of your
quick rebirth
night train
a window screams
out of an owl
.
Alan Summers
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Publication credits:
Bones – journal for contemporary haiku no. 14 November 15th 2017
Gwdihŵ haiku sequence (Wales Haiku Journal issue one Spring 2018
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This is as much influenced by Munch’s scream as by the strong symbolism of owls, and night-time train journeys, and that special in-betweenness, between light and deeper melancholy:
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“The Scream” by Norwegian Expressionist artist Edvard Munch in 1893:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scream
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Explication: https://area17.blogspot.com/2018/06/when-haiku-get-complicated-attempt-to.html
Great theme!
.
I wrote a piece which is an extended version of a book review for Blithe Spirit titled:
“Black dogs and afternoon rain”
http://britishhaikusociety.org.uk/2016/10/black-dogs-afternoon-rain/
Dear esteemed poet,
Warm greetings! I had the privilege of going the link suggested by you;
any number of times one gets the chance to read the great review, delving into the writer’s potential, the themes chosen by him, and more on David Jacobs, thus :
“We are deeply privileged to be able to navigate the inner landscape of David Jacobs’ seasons, and it’s why experiential haiku at its most honest stands high on my list”.
True,true,
very nice proposition ,I hail it whole heartedly
nice proposition