- A haiku is not a poem, it is not literature; it is a hand beckoning,
a door half-opened, a mirror wiped clean. It is a way of returning
to nature, to our moon nature, our cherry blossom nature, our falling
leaf nature, in short, to our Buddha nature. It is a way in which
the cold winter rain, the swallows of evening, even the very day in
its hotness, and the length of the night, become truly alive, share
in our humanity, speak their own silent and expressive language.
- ~R.H.Blyth~ Haiku, Volume One
I originally wanted these three photographs to be one visual haiku, in my case meaning a poem in three lines, each photograph to represent a line. However, I found the term already in use, and I decided that each one individually fits the common definition: a photograph that says something more than the contents; it uses two or three elements to suggest more than is present. I hope you enjoy my three visual haiku.
Copyright 2014 Brenda Davis Harsham
References:
http://peace.wikia.com/wiki/Visual_Haiku
https://www.lensculture.com/articles/masao-yamamoto-visual-haiku
http://www.digitalphotoacademy.com/DpaObjects/viewTip/4450
http://www.haikupoetshut.com/viskundx.html
http://www.flickr.com/groups/visualhaiku/
53 thoughts on “Three Photographs: Come and Gone”
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Friendly Fairy Tales 
Reblogged this on alm383 and commented:
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاتة
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Lovely.
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Thanks! This is when I had my epiphany about a photograph showing something implied. They occur only rarely to me, though.
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🙂
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Rare occurrences are fine. I have just read by The Wild Iris (poem) by Louise Elisabeth Glück. I was intrigued that the book of the same name came from a “moment of great fluency at the end of an ordeal of silence that had lasted more than two years.” So, it seems there is often a gap in creativity. 😉
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Sounds like wonderful poetry. Yes, I think we have gaps. In my case they are often caused by self-doubt or grief.
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And maybe a lack of time, too.
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Hmm, maybe. 🙂
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امطار من النجاح لكي وبساتين من السعادة
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Thanks, my friend.
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I love the idea ! 🙂
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Thanks!
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I hope that all is well with your family, noticed that there was some health issues. Sorry to have gotten out of the loop! I appreciate that you were going to do this in such an original way, hard to believe it already exists! My girlfriend takes her tree into the woods and ties those little pinecones with peanut butter on them to it, for a feast to share with the critters! Your last photo made me think to add this to your own story. You gave us a photographic story, wordless and poignant, too. Brilliant!
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Robin, Oh, that is a sweet idea for a tree after Christmas. What a lovely treat for the wildlife. Probably the squirrels get it. They are so hardworking and fast.
Maybe some day one of my ideas will not already exist, but I am happy to be part of a big, beautiful world, full of creative people. That’s even better.
Hugs, Brenda
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I really, really like these photos. These are brilliant observations. I particularly like the composition of the last photo.
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Thanks! The middle one is a bit sad, and I like the last one best, too.
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You might like entertaining the idea of Eisenstein’s montage theory. Mix that with haiku-ing and maybe you’ll get a chemical reaction. Or something. I rarely attended science class.
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Are you a film student as well as a travelosopher? I had never heard of that theory, but I can see why you thought of it. I’m mulling it over. I don’t know where it will go from there.
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I did start out studying film and filmmaking and was so lucky to be steered away. Of course, I headed straight for writing, so I’m pretty sure the advice didn’t take. Ha.
Part of me wants to think it’s a theory that’s become increasingly useless, but the other part of me thinks: all visual sophistication obviously doesn’t mean shit when it come to story telling. A young filmmaker friend is crazy about the vine app and its 6 little seconds. It requires making choices. Which you are so very gifted at …
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Why, thank you. I don’t know the vine app either. I am app-illiterate, I just use my phone for calls, texts and photos. That’s a lot really, when I stop and thing about it. Oh, and I have kindle, a tuner. Hmm, I guess I’m using it for me than I realized.
I like to edit, it satisfies a cruel streak of mine to cut and slash, hone and perfect, grind and polish. I’m pretty ruthless about it. It sounds like the kind of theory where less is more and the story is like anime, a series of disparate things that don’t some together until the end.
Beautiful, but a bit harsh and disorienting, possibly. Fun chatting with you. Peace and Joy, Brenda
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I really like the last one.
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Thanks, I saved the best for last. 🙂
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What a fantastic idea which works really well! – and you should credit yourself with it, even if someone else thought of it as well it is still ‘your idea’ (I think all possible ideas exist in the collective conciousness all the time so no one has the right to say ‘I thought it first’ because it comes from divinity anyway.) Now I’m seriously intrigued with these photos you’ve chosen as well, I’m itching to follow those footprints through the wood… Have a blessed day, Brenda and I hope you are winning against the mold now! Love, Bia 🙂
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In theory, the mold is out, along with most of the ceiling and huge part of the wall in the next room. Sigh.
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Oh, that’s awful! You poor things! Let’s hope that’s an end of it though and no more asthma problems. Hope you get sorted really soon, sending hugs and prayers. 😦 x
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Thanks, we’re getting there. Your problems sorted? Hugs to you! And Peace and Joy for good measure. 🙂 Brenda
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Good. Yes we are also on the mend, thanks 🙂 🙂 Blessings, Bia
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Wonderful – every line 🙂
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I do think the images work well as a haiku – a very interesting approach 🙂
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Thanks! I didn’t see any other combinations like mine out there, but who knows, perhaps they exist somewhere.
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Thanks!!
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Lovely:) The paw prints are so sweet.
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I think so, too. Must have been cold on those little toes.
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This ppst is so interesting. Awesome, Brenda.
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Thanks, Audrey. I appreciate it!
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awesomeness! kudos~
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Thanks! Especially coming for you, with all your great photos!!
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Loved it! 🙂
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Thanks! Always risky to try a new thing. I’m so happy people like it. 🙂
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I think it worked very well, Brenda ~ Amelia 🙂
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Wreathed in smiles here.
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wow
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Really? Thanks!
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what a cool idea
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Thanks! I was very disappointed to see the idea already established. Maybe someday I will think of something someone else hasn’t. LOL I’m not holding my breath, though.
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Reblogged this on Haiku for Peace.
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Reblogged this on Individuals Talking Back and commented:
This is beautiful thank you!
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