Carpe Diem Modern Times Haiku Margaret Chula’s “following my footprints”

On August 18, 2015August 18, 2015 By Ese' s VoiceIn Haiku8 Comments

This time on Carpe Diem Modern Times Haiku we are introduced to a well known haiku and tanka poetess Margaret Chula. Among several haiku of hers I was the most drawn to the following one:

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following my footprints
of fifty years ago
those endless summers

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Here’ s mine – hopefully, not too far from the same mood and spirit:

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hopscotch in the yard
jumping through childhood memories
barefoot again

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Carpe Diem Haiku Kai

Carpe Diem Time Machine Kites

On March 6, 2015March 6, 2015 By Ese' s VoiceIn Haiku2 Comments

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tangle of colourful tails
racing each other and clouds
childhood memories

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Carpe Diem Haiku Kai

Carpe Diem Time Glass Dance

On January 13, 2015January 13, 2015 By Ese' s VoiceIn Haiku12 Comments

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still whirling around
safely in her father’ s arms
-their first and last dance

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Carpe Diem Haiku Kai

Travel Theme: Endearing

On August 8, 2014August 8, 2014 By Ese' s VoiceIn Photo Challenges8 Comments

Ailsa’s Travel Theme

Red Girl on the Steppes – Chapter 2

On July 24, 2014July 24, 2014 By Ese' s VoiceIn Thoughts. Memories. Impressions5 Comments

Growing up behind the iron curtain – a serialised story of childhood

There were not many Latvians who lived in Kazakhstan. It didn’t really matter because we were all the Soviet Union, and the Kazakhs were used to gulags on their territory, and sudden influxes of removed people from other parts of the country. There were Russians, Volga Germans, Greeks, Koreans, Crimean Tatars and many other nationalities who were forced to move to the country in the 1940s, yet the Muslim Kazakhs remained a kind and hospitable people.
– http://red-girl-on-the-steppes.blogspot.fi/2014/06/red-girl-on-steppes-2.html

Red Girl on the Steppes – Chapter 1

On July 20, 2014July 20, 2014 By Ese' s VoiceIn Thoughts. Memories. Impressions4 Comments

Growing up behind the iron curtain – a serialised story of childhood

If I bumped into you by accident on a busy street, it might well be because still after all of these years I have a habit of looking around me in amazement while I am in my stride. Its not that I love walking, but I got so used to it I can never really stop. – http://red-girl-on-the-steppes.blogspot.fi/2014/06/red-girl-on-steppes-chapter-1.html

Carpe Diem Haiku Strawberry

On June 28, 2014June 28, 2014 By Ese' s VoiceIn Haiku5 Comments

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stained little fingers
swinging wild strawberries on bent
her first bracelet

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Carpe Diem Haiku Kai

Līgo Haibun Challenge – Once Upon A Time

On February 25, 2014February 25, 2014 By Ese' s VoiceIn The Līgo Haibun Challenge5 Comments

There is a choice between two photos on the Līgo Haibun Challenge this week and my thoughts ended up wandering around this one…

Once upon a time I believed in so many things…naively and innocently. The good always winning over the evil. In dragons, magic power and super heroes. That animals could speak and the golden fish could grant wishes. In mermaids being able not only to swim but also to walk. The Snow Queen turning somebody’ s heart in ice. That it takes a single kiss to wake one up from a hundred years long sleep. In happily ever after. What a wonderful world to live in…

Now, looking back at those days, I can see how much has changed. The veil of magic has been torn off for good, and invisible, yet thick walls created around instead. To protect but from what? My own doubts and fleeting faith? Limping dreams? Disbalance between fake and real? Not losing myself? Who knows… Who knows how much those walls have been able to rescue and, more importantly, how much has managed to survive inside them. I didn’ t ask for those changes years brought along but then nobody does. Life simply happens…just like that. And no matter how hard we would try to remain the same, that is the battle that never can be won.

Yes, once upon a time I believed…and then I grew up. Fortunately, there still are moments when I am suddenly reminded about not losing my sense of wonder, still holding onto belief and being able to appreciate the surprises life brings along. I try my best to not let it go. Even if naively…

no more fairytales
hidden between daily routines
another leap of faith

Līgo Haibun Challenge

Carpe Diem Haiku Kirov

On January 5, 2014January 5, 2014 By Ese' s VoiceIn Haiku28 Comments

Name of Kirov brings back memories about something bright and colourful – Kirov toys/Dymkovo toys (Kировская игрушка/Дымковская игрушка). They are moulded painted clay figures of people and animals (sometimes in the form of a pennywhistle) that in the beginnings were strongly connected to the ancient magic ritual images and the agricultural calendar holidays. Just later on they became toys for children, still being very original pieces of art. In the late 19th century the handicraft fell into decline because the Dymkovo toys were forced out of the market by the factory-made moulded plaster statuettes, imitating porcelain articles. Fortunately, during the Soviet times the Dymkovo handicraft was revived.

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brighter than sunlight
reflections of childhood memories
in dusty shop window

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Carpe Diem Haiku Kai

Image courtesy of Google