Haiku: Dreams Of A Seventh Haven...

"...True prayer is measured by weight, not by length. A single groan before God may have more fullness of prayer in it than a fine oration of great length." C. H. Spurgeon

Haiku: Dreams Of a Seventh Haven - Above Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda

Hidden from the storms
Seven days had come and gone
A sacred cocoon

Anchored in a cove
Many in the boat, breathe, life.
Saved from destruction

Lips part in prayer
Requiem for souls lost at sea
Resting in heaven


 This week, the prompt is: Seven

What is a haiku?
 As Leo of Haiku Heights aptly explains, a haiku is a three line poem. It shows what the author wants us to understand from it, rather than tell it directly. The limitation to a haiku is seventeen syllables. It can be at maximum, that much. If you wish to go by the traditional Japanese structure even with English haiku, you can use a 5-7-5 syllable, or 3-5-3 syllable structure





In the aftermath of the terrible tragedy wroth by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Philippines, my heart has been heavy with pain and prayer for the families affected by the typhoon. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to all the people of the Philippines during this difficult time. I had a dream that Mother Earth would avert natural disasters by creating pockets of safe havens for her children; cocoons of divine protection from earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis and hurricanes. So many people are suffering and need relief.

Haiku: Dreams of A Seventh Haven -  Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda Survivors do laundry near  debris of a boat.                           Photo Francis R Malasig/EPA

In times like this, we are reminded of the ephemeral nature of life, the resilience of the human spirit, and the importance of offering compassionate aid to our fellow men, women and children. There are many organizations raising funds and helping out, please don't forget those affected and lets all so our bit; write, donate, volunteer, post an unselfie, - every gesture carries enormous weight. As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.”

 If you are looking for ways to help, you  may contribute to/through the following sites: Feed the Hungry/Ayala Foundation USA, Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK), AmeriCares, UNICEF/GreaterGood, Compassion International, Things to donate -> MommyUnwired's post, Feed The Children  and NBC's List of Organizations Offering Relief.

See more Haiku: Tan Renga, Relief effort below!  More below!




"Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." Oswald Chambers
 

Haiku: Dreams Of A Seventh Haven - A Typhoon Survivor wears a pithy message. Photo Vincent Yu/Associated Press

  Tan Renga Haiku
 

in hidden places

under the porch floorboards-
cherry blossoms  (c) Managua Gunn

Holding space for those we lost
Floral wreath memorials ( by Me)

crossing the footbridge
a sound that comes unbidden ...
my wild beating heart (c) Lolly

Heaving sighs of relief
A mother's child found, embraced ( by Me)

ghosts of the ancients
cast their towering shadows
on the holy ground  (c) Patricia

Sent rays of hope and healing
Golden tears from Mother Earth (by Me)

   Today, the words are:  Tan Renga:  "In Hidden Places", Crossing The Footbridge, Ghosts of the Ancients

What is Carpe Diem?  Blog Owner, Kristjaan Panneman,  describes it as:  "a weblog on haiku. It's a new daily haiku meme where you can write a classical or non-classical haiku on a given prompt. Haiku is an ancient Japanese poetry form. A haiku has three short lines and describes a short moment (as short as the sound of a pebble thrown into water). Mostly a haiku counts 5-7-5 syllables and is sometimes called 'counted verse."


 


This week, I'm continuing my participation in Carpe Diem's Tan Renga. If you recall, in last week's post, I mentioned that  Kristjaan of Carpe Diem, describes a Tan Renga as: "a short-linked poem which has two stanza, the first stanza has 5-7-5 syllables (the haiku assigned) and the second stanza has 7-7 syllables (I write it). The second stanza is a response on the first and has to have a 'kind of link' with the first stanza, but it can also be completely different say 'a kind of reaction or answer' on the first, but there always has to be, in some way, a 'link' with the first stanza."  Mine are below each color coded one above.

I've continued my reflections on the tragic typhoon in the Tan Renga haiku above. Even with the tremendous challenges people are facing in the affected areas, post Typhoon Yolanda, there have been many examples of human courage and kindness. It is still possible to offer help so don't hesitate to add your voice and compassionate giving to the survivors in the Philippines. Philippines Relief Fund and UNICEF   Please read: Wrath of Haiyan/Typhoon Yolanda #‎lookingforlittletarin‬ Thank you!

 
 
 Some Food for Thought: Have you contributed to the Philippines relief effort? Have you even been in a natural disaster? How did you cope? What tips would you offer survivors? Take a moment to contemplate natural calamities around the world; what about human suffering and survival come to mind?what does this haiku and the message of the Tan Renga mean to you?   Love and Peace in 2013.

I would love to hear from you: Please leave me a comment. Thank You!

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS:

Tan Renga Haiku by Managua Gunn "In Hidden Places."
More Carpe Diem Tan Renga: "In Hidden Places"
Final two lines © 2013 by Me - E. Obih-Frank

Tan Renga Haiku by Lolly "Crossing the Footbridge"
More Carpe Diem Tan Renga: “Crossing the Footbridge”
Final two lines © 2013 by Me - E. Obih-Frank

Tan Renga Haiku by Patricia "Ghosts of the Ancients"
More Carpe Diem Tan Renga: “Ghosts of the Ancients”
Final two lines © 2013 by Me - E. Obih-Frank


All Photographs: Typhoon Haiyan, Boat scene, Never Give up,  and/or Aid,  via Wikipedia, News media or from my personal collection.


 Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet