re:Virals 208
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August 30, 2019
Welcome to re:Virals, The Haiku Foundation’s weekly poem commentary
feature on some of the finest haiku ever written in English. This week’s poem
was:
old map
the whole country
one color
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.
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