The Smile

[Drawing by Shri Rambabu Arle]


Power cut

Stumbled I on the pitch-dark staircase

But she waited smiling, face candle lit.


[Note: This was intended to be a haiku. A haiku, as many would be aware, is a kind of Japanese poetry. It has been taken over by the English language. Normally, it consists of three lines, the first consisting of 5 syllables, the second of 7 and the third of 5 syllables again. Like many others, I took liberties here and did not stick to the metric pattern, but the three line structure remains.]

Anybody home? :)

Dear,
I could only appreciate. Can't comment. My husband enjoys such writing. kanaka

Originally Posted by kanaka

Dear,
I could only appreciate. Can't comment. My husband enjoys such writing. kanaka

A very interesting observation. When I wrote this, I had in mind my wife during a power cut many years ago. It was a sultry summer evening and I was returning home from office. The staircase was dark and I was bumping into corners. And then the door opened. She stood there with a candle. Some such images never leave you.

Lovely haiku(isnt that what it is to be called)

This is the first Ive read .and it is pretty interesting to see a different version of poem.

Im sure the candle and the face smiling above would be like light at the dark end of the tunnel isnt it? At last destination kinda peace!!

Devika

Beaware May be she is a ghost.

OJ,

Blinding light,
I searched for the source,
found it was the brilliant smile.

That is the power of a smile that radiates beyond the mile.

that was good oj,especially since it is about your wife holding the candle...very romantic...
Mindi

Originally Posted by Devika Menon

Lovely haiku(isnt that what it is to be called)

This is the first Ive read .and it is pretty interesting to see a different version of poem.

Im sure the candle and the face smiling above would be like light at the dark end of the tunnel isnt it? At last destination kinda peace!!

Devika

Yes, it is called a haiku. Here is an example of a famous haiku by Shiki. It's translated from Japanese.

Tranquility

Walking alone

Happy alone.


Another one, by Naojo.

To pluck it is a pity,

To leave it is a pity,

An, this violet!

I agree. They came to me as a big surprise too. Economy of words and endless beauty.

Originally Posted by Mindian

that was good oj,especially since it is about your wife holding the candle...very romantic...
Mindi

Yes, some memories never fade. Thanks for your appreciation.