re:Virals 288

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1. haiku editing
   a babbler enters
   the conversation

   — Neena Singh, Failed Haiku, Volume 6, Number 62 (2021)

   I read Neena’s beautiful ku and the poem reassures me of the significance of simplicity. As a scientist, I could see the art of discovery germinates from simple thinking. The fragment ‘haiku editing’ depicts a familiar or normal image. There has been an implied kireji and the phrase juxtaposes amplifying an ingenious twist to the haiku. The use of words like ‘babbler’ and ‘conversation’ has an immense poetic spark with simplicity (iki) in expression. Rightly Robert Frost says, “Poetry is when our emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.” When I read this ku, it takes me back to Basho’s iconic ‘frog’ haiku. There is poetic parallelism of simplicity in manifestation and musicality. The poet might be searching for appropriateness while editing her haiku, and the process has been allegorically reflected by the use of the word ‘babbler’.

   I recall the beautiful lines of themes of Robert Spiess Memorial Award, “A haiku is a profound testimony that a most humble object of nature when put into the simplest of aesthetic forms can become a revelation.”

   “Haiku have three forms or manifestations: the written, which enters the eye; the spoken, which enters the ear; and the essential … which enters the heart.”

   Neena, with her ever finest craftsmanship, nurtures the above observations. The ku will cherish the joy of remembrance and resonance for a long time to come.

   1. Dear Pravat

      Your commentary touched my heart. The beautiful words and quotes used to describe my sentiments in writing this verse take my breath away.

      You are a treasure in the world of haiku with your deep study and research.

      Grateful to you for sparing time from your busy schedule to write here.

2. Thanks to THF, its Editors and especially Theresa Cancro for this feature. I am honoured to be a part of it for the second time —my gratitude to Radhamani & Mona Iordan.
   This verse selected by Mona and kindly published by Bryan Rickert & Michael in Failed Haiku has been beautifully commented upon by Lakshmi Iyer & Radhamani sarma. Grateful to both of you and congratulations to Lakshmi for being the winner this week.

   This was an experiential poem and I share here how it came about.
   Sitting in the garden when spring has blossomed flowers of multi-coloured hues and birds and squirrels are delighting in the season, I was on a call with a haijin friend discussing my haiku. Suddenly a babbler came close, looked at me and her loud calls drew my attention and I felt she had joined our conversation as a messenger to help me!

   I have a small suggestion—the poet who selects the ku should also be given a chance to state reasons for the choice, this may add value to the feature.

   1. Thank you, Neena, for your kind comments. Thank you, too, for the background on your poem. I enjoyed reading what prompted your verse. In response to your suggestion: I welcome comments from both the poet selecting the poem and the author of the poem. Please feel free to add your comments in the comments section each week.
      *
      Best regards,
      Theresa

      1. Thanks, Theresa for the response and the clarification.
         So glad you liked what triggered the verse. I love to visit the THF blog and enjoy the features tremendously.
         *
         Warmly,
         Neena

3. e:Virals 288:

   haiku editing
   a babbler enters
   the coversation
   — Neena Singh, Failed Haiku, Volume 6, Number 62 (2021)

   At the peak of summer here in Chennai where I am writing from, surrounded
   by all chattering birds, calls, doves moving around, commenting on Neena Singh’s haiku offers a similar/ different room for perspective.
   Writing haiku, involving a serious task from writers’ point of view, a committed one, a classic example of dedication and more room for
   Expansive and expandable permutations and computations, till now a very
   serious task takes a different mode with the arrival of a babbler;
   A single line, “ haiku editing” running through the entire forum of three lines,
   Offering us a more brooding perspective. In the second line, “ a babbler enters/
   Running through the third, “the conversation”/ more for the mind of critic, the commentator, the reader etc.;
   Either the haiku writer while composing , re writing with modifications of
   different editions or alignments with the image/ or content, ultimately
   satisfies his poetic oeuvre with the quick efficient incorporation of a
   babbler in his writing’; implying more lighted hearted tone; or when the
   serious minded composer breaks his /her mind how to fix the image, line
   formation, how to configure the image drawn, suddenly, some light veined
   person or image- could be a buffoon, or joker, singer entering the show, turning or tuning all shifts for unexpected change or progress.
   Next, to effect a light mood in the haiku, in the process of editing, in garden,
   A lovely, lively chattering bird / a babbler enters casually in his/her/ writing, while the haiku writer edits; edition is transformed to that of beautiful,
   Stimulated rendition subsequent to that of babbler’s notes.
   Next, another possibility of babbler entering: the serious composer
   Editor whether he or she,in all her/ his prolific editions,visualizes,or chances upon a babbler, stops for a while, forcibly listens to angry tones, looks, or
   Conversational notes; so much so, what is the next step? The editions become
   Blooming with unexpected turns or twists;

   “ conversation”, could also possibly suggest , in the process of composition,
   Incorporates the tone, chatter, or voice or converting all poetic beauty of calls
   In the utterance of babbling bird.
   We too have our own calls or distractions while haiku writing, either a courier
   Or messenger or post man or water can supplier or even a vendor. Our sagacity And mood alone should convert these who are of immense help – to incorporate their service in our midst.

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