I used the term "can-opener" despite the fact that I haven't had a can of cat food that required one in years. I wonder if ten years from now kids will scratch their heads and ask, "what's a can-opener?"
I generally try to avoid using junk words like "just" and "even," but I ended up using both! There is not a lot of room in haiku to explore alternative ways of saying something that may require more words (and syllables).
I'm leaving work early today and heading to Salem, MA for the annual Mass Poetry Festival. I'm looking forward to it, and, I hope to take enough notes and/or photos, so that I have something to share with you next Friday.
Please visit Ellen at Space City Scribes for this week's Poetry Friday Round-Up.
Love this!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt!
DeleteLove it. A very clever sequence. I still occasionally use a can-opener and every time I swear I won't buy a brand that doesn't have a pull-off lid!
ReplyDeleteDo you have a cat, Sally? If so, I'm sure you know how inspirational cats are!
DeleteI hope you enjoy your day in Salem as much as I enjoyed your haiku sequence.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andy, I think of your museum rant every time I visit the PEM!
DeleteThe can-opener line made me laugh out loud. I don't have cats but a dear friend does, and they knew the sound of a can of tuna being opened! I love this sequence. Looking forward to your report from the festival!
ReplyDeleteI'm back and my report will be sketchy at best! I had a great time though. Last night Rita Dove and Richard Blanco read. You couldn't have asked for two better readers!
DeleteI have a kitten again after several years without, and the first time we opened the window he was entranced. These haiku perfectly capture the moment! Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your kitten! It's been almost four months since my old cat died. I'm always tempted...
DeleteGreat fun! :-)
ReplyDeletewarm regards,
Alan
Thanks, Alan. Stop by again!
DeleteThanks!
DeleteAnd I do love cats. I had one from a few doors down adopt me once. :-)
open window
the cat dozes
half in half out
Alan Summers
Presence 3 (1996)
Thanks!
DeleteI have quite a few cat haiku, and a restaurant cat or two, too. :-)
warm regards,
Alan
Ha! I hope those restaurant cats aren't on the menu! ;-)
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On the menu, or more accurately, into the menu! :-)
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This one is from the Canary Islands holiday I took years ago:
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restaurant el pescado
the smoky cat’s
four white gloves
Alan Summers
Publications credits: Blithe Spirit Vol. 14 No. 2 (2004)
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Beautiful Diane, although you've added the picture, I also see in my mind's eye a former cat, at his own window, most of the day. Have fun at the Festival!
ReplyDeleteMy cat, Skippy sleeps on a platform at the window, so, considering she's asleep 23 hours a day, she spends most of her day at the window, too!
DeleteGreat sequence!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Catherine!
DeleteWe have a small screened in space outside the kitchen that we have dubbed "the camp" because our cat rolls around, jumps for bugs, and makes little happy noises when we let her go out.
ReplyDeleteYour image and poetry once again inspire.
I'm afraid Skippy would freak out if she had a screened-in space. As much as she likes the window, taking her outdoors is not her idea of fun! (That could be because she was on the end of a leash...)
Deletelovely sequence, the second haiku is my favourite, luv the precision intimated
ReplyDeletemuch love...
Isn't "equipoise" a lovely word? And it describes a cat's intense, balanced stance perfectly.
DeleteThis sequence (and the picture) resonates with me! Switch two slim black cats for one huge orange cat, but other than that...
ReplyDeleteAnd about the can opener. Our Will was a rescue, but there must be something hardwired about the sound of even our hand-crank can opener. He comes running, even if I'm opening a can of tomatoes!
Cats refuse to learn tricks, but that doesn't mean they're not trainable! ;-)
DeleteLove it Diane! You are amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, mystery staff person!
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