January 1, 2010

Poetry Friday--Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!

Happy New Year! This year I'm participating in an exchange of New Year's haiku with writers from all over the U.S. and the world. Here is the greeting I mailed to participants:

©Diane Mayr, all rights reserved

It seems that in Japan, on New Year's day, people typically exchange greetings with friends and loved ones. This exchange is called a nengajyou.

Participants in our haiku group exchange were given instructions, they were:

  • A card or postcard should include the jyunishi (zodiac sign) for 2010, the Year of The Tiger.


  • Somewhere on the card should appear the words, Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu (Happy New Year).


  • An original haiku with a New Year's theme should be included.


  • Each person on the list should be mailed a card so that it will arrive by New Year's day.


    • I took a little liberty with my jyunishi--I have a "tiger" living in my house and I included her picture.

    I've received many, many greetings thus far. All are wonderful! All are greatly appreciated!

    Mary Lee is hosting the Poetry Friday Round-Up at A Year of Reading.

    Have a poetry-filled 2010!
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    9 comments:

    1. I'm Jet . . .January 1, 2010 at 12:00 PM

      What an interesting thing -- the nengajyou.

      The haiku is one of your best, Diane.

      And Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu to you, too!

      Jet

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    2. Diane MayrJanuary 1, 2010 at 12:03 PM

      Thanks! And to you, too! It should be a good year. (We can hope.)

      ReplyDelete
    3. Gisele LeBlancJanuary 1, 2010 at 12:39 PM

      What a wonderful idea! I loved your haiku, and the photo, too.

      Happy New Year!!!!!

      Gisele :)

      ReplyDelete
    4. Julie January 1, 2010 at 3:35 PM

      Lovely haiku, Diane! I have definitely enjoyed your blog this year - hope to read much more of your work in 2010.

      Julie/The Drift Record

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    5. Diane MayrJanuary 1, 2010 at 4:25 PM

      Thanks, Gisele and Julie!

      Gisele, I see you're delving into publishing a magazine of haiku--good for you!

      Julie, I've enjoyed your blog, too, especially as it has led me off into the world of art on several occasions! Poetry and art are closely related and neither one should get short shrift.

      Happy New Year!

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    6. Irene LathamJanuary 1, 2010 at 5:04 PM

      Diane, what a wonderful project! I'm filing this away to use with students... and loving your "tiger." Also reminds me of Ted Kooser's Valentine's poem project. Hmm, maybe I need a project?? Happy New Year!

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    7. Diane MayrJanuary 1, 2010 at 5:14 PM

      I'd be happy to participate in your "project"! Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I'm sure Ted Kooser wouldn't mind you borrowing his idea. Or how about a "welcome spring" project? Or a "cabin fever" project. The possibilities are endless!

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    8. Gisele LeBlancJanuary 2, 2010 at 4:41 PM

      Thank you, Diane!

      I've very excited about my new venture. Haiku is the best. :)

      Gisele

      ReplyDelete
    9. Andrea MurphyJanuary 3, 2010 at 7:02 PM

      I'm late (as usual) for the party. Love, love, love the haiku. I agree with Janet that it's one of your best. You should change your name to Klever Kitty.

      Happy New Year!

      Andy

      ReplyDelete