Haiku: Nelson Mandela - In Memoriam...

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others." Nelson Mandela

Haiku: Nelson Mandela - Madiba Rest In Peace

Nelson Mandela
Tata Madiba, Goodbye!
God called Khulu home...

He fought Apartheid
The rainbow nation would thrive
Black, White, Colored, all

The struggle is done
South Africa's people freed
Your legacy, sealed...


 This week, the prompt is: Rainbow

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





I've used the prompts from this week's haiku to create a memorial for one of Africa's great sons; Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, 1918-2013, who passed away today at the age of 95. He paid a great price for his fight against the oppressive, racist Apartheid regime in his native, South Africa, spending 27 years imprisoned in a tiny cell in Robben's Island. Many believed he would never be set free and that Apartheid would end in a bloody war. In February 1990, he was released and started a new journey on the path to full liberation of all people in his nation.

Like many others around the world, I celebrated his freedom and rejoiced when he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and when he became South Africa's first democratically elected Black President. His death brings great sadness to my heart. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends around the world. If you'd like to learn more about the legacy of this great son of Africa, The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory has documented much on his life. Take a moment to visit the site. What are your memories of Nelson Mandela? I have added more below.

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Haiku: In Praise Of Sakura And Taiko...

"Music exists for the purpose of growing an admirable heart." Shinichi Suzuki 

Haiku: In Praise Of Sakura And Taiko...

Haiku: In Praise Of Sakura And Taiko...

Sakura! Praises...
Lifted by the Taiko sounds
Like the heart's murmur...



Today, the word is Sakura (Japan)

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.'"



 

Sakura is the name for both the famous Japanese Cherry Blossoms and the traditional folkloric music...  Taiko is the name for the equally famous Japanese drums. This celebration is of Japanese music and while I've shown the Cherry Blossom tree,  music resonate through and in everything.
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Haiku: For The Love Of Fado Music...

"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." Victor Hugo

Haiku: For The Love Of Fado Music... Mariza

                                                   Amália Rodrigues known as Rainha do Fado ("Queen of Fado) - Coimbra

A Fado dirge calls...
Ancient sounds from a distance
Mariza's fate song...

Love's deep scars revealed...
For love of Fado music
Sing, Saudade Queen...


 Today, the word is Fado (Portugal)

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.'"





Are you familiar with Fado music? Fado, which means destiny or fate in Portuguese, is a special category of music from the 1820s with origins in Portugal. It is often played with a classical guitar, and can be described as  "a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a characteristic sentiment of resignation, fatefulness and melancholia (loosely captured by the word "saudade", or longing)" Wikipedia.

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