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A Haiku in the Woods

I don’t know how I lived so long without poetry by my side to uphold enfold and console me as time went passing by how did I miss the gentle kiss of rhythms all around the sound of rivers rushing and rolling tides with waves unbound the chirping birds whose secret words were music nonetheless even though I did not sense the Whole-iness of being blessed nor did I see the unity between poetry and the stars always missing the meaning of whom and what we truly are the miracle of miracles why anything is here at all was supremely overwhelming for a man like me so small nor did I hear the Sound of the Spheres Homer’s Odyssey or Tennyson’s Light Brigade was never too clear with Shelly and Shakespear and the mystical magic they made while metaphors and similes enjambment and free verse were all just mumbo-jumbo to me one giant curse but slowly and imperceptively I felt a change within as words became more meaningful and a strange new kind of friend and it took a while to learn to smile on a haiku in the woods but time’s been kind and let me find rhythm and peace inside my poetry and manhood © Terrell Martin, 02/26/2025

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Paula Goldsmith

Date: 3/12/2025 11:54:00 AM

I loved reading your lovely/wonderful write. A true writer writes from their heart and that is you. Your words paint on the paper of your poems. Have a blessed day writing away...............

Susan Ashley

Date: 3/9/2025 8:22:00 AM

Dear Terrell, your soulful poem is a deep tender unveiling of emotion and epiphany. Your vivid use of textured, stirring imagery conveys an appreciation, an embrace of the gift of this awakening within so beautifully. An "in the moment" introspective stream of artistic expression of a man finding his muse by his side. Splendid poetry, my inspired and inspiring poet friend. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Terrell Martin
Date: 3/10/2025 3:40:00 AM

Dear Susan, your response to this poem is more gracious and beyond anything I would have expected. I especially appreciate your description of the "vivid use of textured, stirring imagery (that) conveys an appreciation, an embrace of the gift of this awakening within so beautifully." This tells me you didn't just read the poem but rather, soaked it in and absorbed it into your exceptionally beautiful poetic being. I love you for that and hope you don't mind me saying so. Thank you, more than words could ever say. All the best, Terrell

Ink Empress

Date: 3/4/2025 4:11:00 AM

Dear terrel, reading this, i see and hear a very humble voice of a poet that has gained a deep understanding of poetry and different forms and themes and techniques! I love how you've done that here so well and how you've ended the poem too. Sometimes a haiku is all one needs to smile, simple and and soul warming, pleasure reading your poem today! Sending you light today and always

Terrell Martin
Date: 3/4/2025 6:14:00 AM

Dear Impress, I can't thank you enough for your kind and deep thoughts regarding "A Haiku in the Woods." The irony is it isn't a Haiku at all, but the word Haiku seemed to fit the occasion perfectly so I went with it. I must have made the right choice based on your delightful response! Thank you again for doing so. Sending "Light" right back at ya! Terrell

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/2/2025 4:12:00 PM

This is such a nice expression of a man learning to appreciate poetry.

Terrell Martin
Date: 3/3/2025 3:10:00 PM

Hello again, Andrea. Apologies for such a late reply but life's been busy trying to catch up on my "Honey Do's" both inside and outside, especially in the garden/yard areas - spring cleaning, planting, pulling weeds, etc. It's that time of the year and I'll be starting back to work (part time) in a few days which will keep me busy as well. But of course, I DEEPLY appreciate your input here and look forward to visiting you and your poetry as soon as possible. (Shortly I hope). In the meantime, I hope life is treating you kindly and the Muses always whispering in your ears. Warm hugs dear lady, Terrell

Michael Tor

Date: 3/1/2025 12:40:00 PM

I love Terrell your much appreciation for Poetry and how it has been such a blessing in your life. I can resonate with this beautiful poem of your for I feel much like you do my friend. This one is a favorite for me. Thank you for posting I have been trying to catch up. We got hit with over three feet of snow in a month in the north east my snowblower broke down and I have been trying and running around to fix this darn thing. Murphys law things break down when you most need them. A fav...

Terrell Martin
Date: 3/1/2025 4:53:00 PM

Hi Michael, it's wonderful hearing from you again and I sincerely appreciate your thoughts. It sounds as though you and I are very much like minded in terms of poetry and may even be "Two brothers from different mothers!"): And sorry to hear about your snowblower issue. I've had copious amounts of garden / yard work of my own here lately and have fallen behind in both my poetry and poetry responses to you and others. We're all just doing our best to live life to the fullest and stay connected the best way we know how. Thanks again for your very kind comments and look forward to reading more of your poetry as well. Until then, "Write on" my friend, Terrell

Oliver Mckeithan

Date: 2/28/2025 2:43:00 PM

Nice one. Sometimes it takes to grow into something. In this case for you poetry. You dont need to be those other more famous poets. You write well.

Terrell Martin
Date: 3/1/2025 5:22:00 PM

Thank you, Oliver. I sincerely appreciate your thoughts but honestly, as "well" as I write I know it can always be or get better. And so I (and so many others) keep on challenging ourselves with that internal drive and motivation that sustains us. Thanks very much, Terrell

Sotto Poet

Date: 2/28/2025 7:35:00 AM

Dear friend, Terrell Your excellent poem explores the positive influence of poetry in your life. It depicts a journey from ignorance and detachment to a renewed awareness of the beauty and relevance of poetry, as well as its relation to existence. The theme also includes your reflection on past experiences, an appreciation for the value of poetic expression, and a celebration of the inner serenity and knowledge that poetry provides. The poem's word choice is both simple and profound, clearly communicating complicated feelings and ideas. Words like "console," "soft kiss," and "miracle" convey warmth and closeness, but terms like "mumbo-jumbo" and "huge curse" reveal your early struggles with poetry and words.

Terrell Martin
Date: 3/1/2025 5:04:00 PM

Hi Sotto, my sincere apologies for taking so long to respond but I've been quite busy with yard word and gardening these past few days. As usual, your assessment of this poem is not merely accurate but filled with deep thought and inner reflection concerning the wider implications of the poem. It's clear that you don't simply read poetry but soak it in like the scent of a fine wine and then send it back to the poet (me) with more meaning and gusto than I ever imagined it might have. Once again, the words "Thank you" is completely unacceptable as any measure of gratitude. Nevertheless, I tip my proverbial hat in your direction and bid a fine weekend. All the best, Terrell

Tom Woody

Date: 2/28/2025 6:41:00 AM

Nice. Poetry's relationship to the world as we perceive it, each with our own unique contribution to make. For me poetry is just a hobby, still I would say it has enhanced my life. I could live without writing, but I'm better for engaging. I know you feel the same

Terrell Martin
Date: 3/1/2025 5:19:00 PM

A very interesting thought, Tom. And the more I think about it, I suppose I, too, could live without writing (poetry) but I can't live without some kind of a creative pursuit and poetry has answered that call for me for a very long time. Thus, I'll stay with it even if I don't always hit the target(s) I hope to. Thanks again and I owe you a visit, so I'll see ya soon, Terrell