“re: Virals # 208 (Haiku Foundation)
old map
the whole country
one color
— Jim Kacian Cranach City Anthology; Border Lands
(2007)
Pravat Kumar
Padhy admires the simplicity and elegance:
The haiku by
Jim has a total of 10 syllables manifested in the schematic pattern of 2-5-3.
It contains two images, the “fragment” (old map) and the “phrase” (the whole
country/ one color) with a gentle pause in between (cutting). The juxtaposition
explores the poetic imagination in universality and brotherhood through the image of ‘color’. The poet expresses his self-realization by embellishing
the belief of oneness through the creative use of ‘color’.
The monochromatic color of ‘old map’ in the top line is skillfully juxtaposed
with zen-feeling of oneness as implied in the middle line and lower line.
Interestingly, the vertical axis of the haiku extends to a different dimension
in time implying the prevalence of harmony among the people of the country. The
haiku finally culminates with an aesthetic expression of cohesion.
Interestingly, the poet has not used any verb in the haiku and thus it renders
a placid articulation.
Jim has artfully
used assonance as a literary element. Here the vowel “o” sound repeats between
syllables of the ku and crafts a subtle resonance. The haiku, in its
simplicity, expresses the compassionate feeling of togetherness using ‘color’
as an element with poetic elegance.
re:Virals
Haiku Foundation 30.8.2019
