re:Virals 303

Welcome to re:Virals, The Haiku Foundation’s weekly poem commentary feature on some of the finest haiku ever written in English. This week’s poem was

 
     slung boots
     over the powerline
     southbound geese
          — Gideon Young, Wales Haiku Journal (2021)

Hildy Bachman feels compelled to look up:

The phenomenon of boots and shoes slung over a powerline seems universal. It has different meanings in the United States and around the world, from signaling gang or drug activity to tossing shoes just for the fun of it. What it does require is someone to tie the shoelaces together and throw the boots high enough into the air so that they land precisely on a powerline. This action takes practice, determination and strength to accomplish. So we can rule out children, even though it may seem like a childish act.

Why boots? Shoes such as sneakers are more typical, but boots narrow it down to someone wearing combat, work, or hiking boots. We don’t know from the poem the type of boot or the reason why the boots were slung. There would need to be a good reason for someone to throw their boots away because they are expensive. However, they may not be throwing their own boots; it could be someone else’s pair. The speculation is endless.

Why throw boots over a powerline and not over something else? The powerline makes the boots highly visible to vehicles and pedestrians passing by. Something out of place makes us look up.

The third line introduces the “southbound geese.” We know the time of year because the geese are migrating south, something that they do instinctively before winter each year.

At the point when we look up to see not only the boots, a flock of geese flies by. We are momentarily distracted by the loud honking of the geese and see them flying in perfect V formation.

What is the connection between boots on a powerline and geese flying south? In both instances, we are forced to look up. In the boots, we see something permanent, out of place, and a mystery. We also see a fleeting moment of noisy geese. We don’t know the doer of the boot throwing; we can only speculate about who and why. The geese seem the catalysts for that speculation.

Priti Aisola finds a range of meanings:

This dramatic ‘ku invites one to fill in the many blanks in a story that begins with “slung boots.” It is a story that one writes and modifies in one’s head many times.

I have only seen pictures of boots hanging from powerlines or telephone wires, and these would puzzle me. I now realize that “slung boots” has a range of meanings and connotations – from the grave one of commemorating the death of a loved one to celebrating a significant milestone or rite of passage in one’s life. The latter could be completion of basic training in the military. Here in this ‘ku, one has to see the image of tossed or dangling boots in conjunction with the image in the fragment: “southbound geese.” The geese migrate in winter to warmer places where they can rest and feed. From what I know, these are non-breeding sites. Hence, I feel that person who has thrown his boots over the electric wires is someone who is either taking a break from military service or has retired from active service. Very likely, it is the latter because he is going home to unwind and rest after years of strenuous service. Perhaps he was stationed in a war zone away from his home country and is now back after a harrowing period, relieved to put that time behind him. Heading home, he hurls his boots over the powerline. For him, there may be no return migration to the north (to active life in the military or in society), unlike the geese that return to their breeding sites. Back in the comfort of his home and hearth, will the memories of his military life really release him and set him free? We do not know and herein lies the solemn beauty of Gideon Young’s ‘ku.

Sushama Kapur takes in both views:

What catches the eye at once about the poem is the pivot line in the middle — “over the powerline.”

The two images before and after this line need it — to complete. As an aside, the word “powerline” could be viewed as a symbol of a developed world that has conquered its surroundings to make life on earth more comfortable for its people.

To summarize:

1. There are boots flung over a powerline:

slung boots
over the powerline

2. The eye looking up can see geese flying southward:

over the powerline
southbound geese

I believe that one of the most common reasons shoes are thrown over powerlines is to show the location of a crack house or a drug dealing spot. Also, dangling shoes can be a symbol of gang members claiming territory, especially when the shoes are hanging from powerlines or telephone wires at crossroads.

The first image gives us a glimpse into unfettered wants of perhaps shaky minds, or miscreants (gang members) who would stop at nothing to get their way. Thus, “slung boots” could be a symbol of misdirection, indulgence and, in all probability, even violence. It is a still image, the boots obviously showing no movement.

On the other hand, the second image presents to us an eternally beautiful picture of flying birds: this time, a gaggle of geese in the blue vastness of the sky; so much ma… The word that is significant here (because something in it contrasts vividly with “slung boots”), is “southbound.” They are migrating birds, yes, going in a definite direction! They are following rules of nature. Their migration is necessary for their survival. They are a flock, a team going towards feeding and/or breeding grounds. And within the image, there is so much movement. Imagine the birds’ wings cleaving through the air with a natural and timeless purpose — causing ripples in the atmosphere!

This seven-word ‘ku is fascinating in its restraint of what it offers the reader. But what it does give packs a punch! We have two images that show two opposite ways of life — juxtaposed with the help of a pivot (with its human element). The eye looking up sees both. Which way is better?

As this week’s winner, Sushama gets to choose next week’s poem, which you’ll find below. We invite you to write a commentary to it. It may be as long or short, academic or spontaneous, serious or silly, public or personal as you like. We will select out-takes from the best of these. And the very best will be reproduced in its entirety and take its place as part of the THF Archives. Best of all, the winning commentator gets to choose the next poem for commentary.

Anyone can participate. A new poem will appear each Friday morning. Simply put your commentary in the Contact box by the following Tuesday midnight (Eastern US Time Zone). Please use the subject header “re:Virals” so we know what we’re looking at. We look forward to seeing some of your favorite poems — and finding out why!

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re:Virals 304:

 
     reflective mood
     I loosen the lid
     of a firefly jar
          — Vandana Parashar, Asahi Haikuist Network (2018)