Smaller Is Better
My life at seventy-two, amazing, yet there are times when its blue. In context, a haibun is of the now, not the future, or past. Oh, references can be made, in context, to ether, with qualifiers. So, today, for me has been a quest, Japanese poem rules investigated, cross-referenced, and found abused. No expert am I, but I do seek the truth. No wish to disrespect, or be aloof, but, when there are rules it is for good reason. However, a thought just occurred reference Japanese to English syllable counts. Using the Japanese ‘on’ format, Nippon has four syllables, yet if used in an English haiku only two. So, if Nagasaki and Nippon were used in one line using the ‘on‘ format that would constitute 8 syllables, in English only 6. I have always been aware syllable counts varied between languages, my thought, however, could be considered an insubordinate tongue in cheek account, read on. Way back when, and as to how far back I don’t, or cant say, but what I can, is that over the eons of time, secrets have been transcribed, and passed between folk, ether conveying endearments, useful information, or as with senryu, cynical, or humorous comments on, ether ones own foibles or those of others. Reference can be found that both tanka and haiku, (not 100% sure on the latter), were used secretly by lovers to confirm their love for each other, and the shorter the poem, the smaller, and more easily concealed was the parchment.
As to who came up with the restrictions, reference the syllable counts, and for what reasons I can only surmise, and that is smaller is better. Move over, big guy.
me said nature
created the spoken word
transcribe it wisely
Copyright © Mick Talbot | Year Posted 2017
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