re:Virals 574

“More difficult than making your own verses interesting is understanding those of others…” ―Shinkei (1406 –1475). Citing this, Onitsura (1661 – 1738) wrote: “…this should be a way in which a person is completely given over to training.”

Welcome to re:Virals, The Haiku Foundation’s weekly commentary feature on some of your favorites among the best contemporary haiku and senryu written in English. In the host chair today is Shawn Blair. This week’s poem, chosen by Sudha Devi Nayak is:

   
fifty plus years
my heart still races
at her touch 
 —Bryan Sharpe
    Louisiana, USA
    Haiku Foundation Haiku Dialogue, August 19TH 2026

Introducing this poem, Sudha writes:

He is much older than he used to be but he still experiences the first flush of a decade’s-old emotion. Love has no number nor can it be ever dated or fade into oblivion, it can only be reinforced with fresh feeling. The poet could be speaking of his beloved wife of several years in blessed companionship through joy and sorrow, rain or sunshine. Or it may be about a chance encounter with someone he had known and loved truthfully and soulfully. Whoever it may be, her mere proximity, her touch and glance sets his heart racing to realms unknown. Robert Browning says in his poem Rabbi Ben Ezra, “Grow old along with me! / The best is yet to be, / The last of life, for which the first was made”. I can also hear Nat King Cole singing “You will never grow old / While there’s love in your heart / Time may silver your golden hair / As you dream in an old rocking chair”.

Host comment (Shawn):

The phrase my heart […] races at her touch describes one kind of passion a young person can experience when enamored with another. By inserting the word still into that phrase, and adding the words fifty-plus years, the youthfulness of falling in love has been wedded to the notion of commitment—of years spent facing the ups and downs of life not merely together, but with a real sense of togetherness. The verse’s her could be replaced with your, and the sentiment written on a handmade card.

The innocence that pervades experience can be discovered and cultivated for oneself, but to be seen with innocent eyes and continually appreciated by one’s long-term partner is truly to receive a gift.

Urszula Marciniak:

We do not understand this haiku until we cross the threshold of fifty. We are convinced that old people are simply old—and nothing more. Later, we understand all too well that this is not the case at all, and we fervently wish for this state to last for many more decades.

All that remains is the fear that we might lose our health, that we might tremble for an entirely different reason, and that it will be a nurse holding our hand. It is a pity that we understand so much only so late—and yet, it is still not too late.

Radhamani Sarma:

If one keenly pursues the study of Nature, one can observe the calls and displays birds and other animals make to attract a mate, all in Shruti, Nature’s impeccable law. Human beings are no exception. The first looks, first touch and first talk and gifts… whether yielding positive results or not, lasting memories are created.

In this verse, the writer remembers a past love, touch or glance, and his heart yearns. He distinctly records the pain and feeling. He opines in simple yet strong terms thus:

fifty plus years
my heart still races

It is nearly fifty years hence, the solid rock of his life gone, possibly disowned by the love of his life. Now he is destined to live a life with some other person, bound by circumstances. “Fifty plus years” gone and his soul is still afflicted by “her touch”. It is this love at first sight, the electric shock of waves that run in him, the unforgettable moment of her touch, unique and beyond words, running through his blood. It is the feel of her skin that races in his heart. The choice phrase “my heart still races” suggests love’s knot undying, unsolved, a continues process. The past mingles with the present—pleasant and painful memories.

Alan Summers—celebrating a romantic partnership:

As we get older as poets we look back and forth and even sideways as we have a rich source of material. Here a poet is declaring themselves of a certain age. They are either in their mid-50s, or they have been married or in another kind of relationship for over 50 years.

It’s a delicate and simple senryū celebrating, almost tanka poetry genre-wise in its context, a long-standing romantic partnership that is still peaking in so many ways. Maturity is lending a hand with depth and variety, and still finding discoveries!

Author Bryan Sharpe:

This poem is intended to make two points. The first is simply that, even after more than half a century, love can be intoxicating.

The second point is an affirmation of the power of touch. A gentle caress can relieve stress, provide comfort for grief, or even help with depression. In this case, it produces a feeling of euphoria.

Thanks to all who sent commentaries. As the contributor of the commentary reckoned best this week, Alan Summers has chosen next week’s poem, which you’ll find below. We invite you to write a commentary to it. It may be short, to a maximum of 500 words (succinctness will be valued);  academic, your personal response, spontaneous, or idiosyncratic. As long as it focuses on the verse presented, and with respect for the poet, all genuine reader reaction, criticism, and pertinent discussion is of value.   Out-takes are kept in the THF Archives.  Best of all, the chosen commentary’s author gets to pick the next poem.

Anyone can participate. Simply use the re:Virals commentary form below to enter your commentary on the new week’s poem (“Your text”) by the following Tuesday midnight, Eastern US Time Zone, and then press Submit to send your entry. The Submit button will not be available until Name, Email, and Place of Residence fields are filled in. We look forward to seeing your commentary and finding out about your favourite poems. Please note that commentaries must be your own personal work.

Poem for commentary:

     
dusk the call goes directly to voicemail
— Cherie Hunter Day
    The Heron's Nest Volume XX, Issue 2 (June, 2018)

Poet Bio:

Bryan Sharpe writes: I have been interested in poetry most of my life, but I have come to love haiku and senryu for their ability to express so much with so little. I’m still learning but the journey is rewarding.

re:Virals is co-hosted by Shawn Blair, Melissa Dennison, Susan Yavaniski, and Keith Evetts (managing editor).

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