toys lined up by
his empty laundry basket -
a motionless swing
Andromeda Jazmon
Something about that empty swing frozen on the porch amid the leaves rustling and falling in an autumn breeze gives me a sad, wistful feeling. Like missing a loved child, who hasn't been home for such a long time. This kind of haiku touches on melancholia, homesickness, and loneliness. Issa, whose mother died when he was a child, and who lost his wife and all his children to early deaths, is the master Haiku poet I turn to in such a mood. Somehow it fits a rainy autumn day like today. Here's another good link for themes and moods in classical haiku.
Today's Friday Poetry roundup is hosted by Irene Latham at Live Your Poem. Enjoy!
11 comments:
It's the empty laundry basket that hits me hardest.
I know, right? What boy can ever have an empty laundry basket if he is home?
We're not quite there yet but it's frightening how quickly the years are passing. How did my baby turn 14 a couple of weeks ago?
Yes, that empty laundry basket...oh, I know it well!
That wistfulness, to me, is the proper mood of a haiku.
It is full of wistfulness, too Andi, as in 'oh I wish we could go back a bit'. It is also so final. There's something about an old porch swing that makes one nostalgic, perhaps just for the good times had there in the past. Thanks for saying much in just a few words.
Fall is full of wistfulness. Beautiful poem and a beautiful photo, too.
Janet
And knowing your boys from previous posts, the stillness, the motionlessness of the poem/swing is also very poignant.
not to take away from the mood of the poem at all, but a boy and an empty laundry basket do not necessarily mean he is no longer around. in fact, i would counter that many a boys would be home and quite active and still have an empty basket - the clothes would be all over the floor.
it's the toys all lined up that i think is the telling detail. for whatever reason, order was imposed, and that suggests to me something melancholy.
*sniff* Good job, Andi.
You are right, David. It's the juxtaposition I guess; orderly, empty, still. All together = explosive boy energy is missing. :(
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