here and now
- Deborah Bowman
- Mar 17
- 2 min read
a single moment
Haiku may serve as a reflecting pond for our tribulations when we need it the most.
When we find it hard to look up, a poem can remind us of the blue sky and a waterlily growing from the mud. We all need the earth to ground us and the heavens to offer inspiration.
The profound power of haiku lies in its ability to capture a single moment of a beating heart, one quickened by green's vitality or slowed by the serenity of still water.
inner and outer nature
A split second can change the course of a lifetime. The wail of a siren or that of a newborn can bring shock or relief, pain or joy. While haiku invites us to express our deepest feelings each poem is grounded in a particular season.
photo: D. Bowman
We are reminded that after a hard winter the ice will melt and so may the hardness of our hearts. The heat of summer nudges us to slow down and enjoy the simplicity of friends on the patio. In autumn we can enjoy the fruits of our labor.
simplicity and patience
The underpinnings of haiku are reflected in a culture that understood the values of simplicity and patience. The ancient traditions of Japan were not dissimilar to that of peoples around the world who diligently observed both inner and outer nature.
Those values are reflected in a poetry that understands a clear heart and mind as vital to our ability to bloom and thrive. This philosophy grew out of the contemplative practice of haiku that continues to shape the tradition today.
Enjoy the subtle art of haiku in our new book!
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