Comments for Contributors

ISSUE 6 - Comment for Contributors

1/15/2023

Issue 6 is officially launched! Please give a shout-out to your fellow poets in support of their work!

Alan Summers link

1/26/2023 12:09:09 pm

Just going through my third read. I might pick favorites or ones I just like. Wonderful and exuberant issue!

Alan

Kat, Marcie, and Robin

1/29/2023 09:12:46 am

Thanks, Alan! As always, it was a labor of love! Glad you are enjoying it!

Alan Summers link

1/30/2023 05:19:56 am

One of those journals worth revisiting on a regular basis!

Alan
Call of the Page

Anette Chaney

1/29/2023 01:08:19 pm

Alan, I love your poem. I was intrigued by it and the writing in the middle of the poem. I did not know what language it was. So I read it as the language of the blackbird. I always wondering about what birds are saying and try to interpret by their actions. So without knowing I could love the poem. Then I googled and discovered it was Hindu and meant brahma time. Then I loved the poem more for the meaning and the rhythm and the sound of the poem when I read it aloud with brahma time. A brillant poem.

Kat, Marcie, and Robin link

1/29/2023 09:33:11 pm

We love that Alan's poem can be appreciated on different levels, with and without understanding the meaning of brahma time.

Alan Summers link

1/30/2023 05:31:14 am

Thank you Kat, Marcie, and Robin!

Of course working on this poem, and stopping at the last draft that I sent, it always amazes me that something in it shines through, as I'll have my self-doubts most of the time!

Alan

Alan Summers link

1/30/2023 05:29:33 am

Thank you, Anette!

The British hedgerow is a combination of nature/natural history, folklore and mysticism.

Natural history:
https://www.hedgesblog.co.uk/hedgerows-birds-and-trimming-responsibly

and

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/habitats/hedgerows/

Anette said:
"Alan, I love your poem. I was intrigued by it and the writing in the middle of the poem. I did not know what language it was. So I read it as the language of the blackbird."

That's a wonderful interpretation, and part intended by myself! It's a combination of the language or multi-languages of the hedgerow, as well as individual species coming through vocally or visually from time to time.

As someone who has done a wide variety of work shifts, as well as sometimes a very early bird, and sometimes a night owl, I love the areas of time separate from the dominating human hours that is endured.

Also being able to still our minds for short periods can mean we can hear everything else, and let the mental chatter exist far in the background.

Thank you so much for your uplifting affirmation of my poem!

warmest regards,
Alan

Alan Summers link

1/30/2023 05:44:42 am

I love a direct comparison that spurs on a mighty and atmospheric overall image:

the moon ridges the alligator’s scutes

- Mary Stevens, USA

the moon ridges
and
the alligator’s scutes

Even on this first level of reading it feels incredibly powerful. And I love finding out a new name/term as well! Looking this up took 0.49 of a second, not exactly a hardship, and having seen one huge crocodile (not an alligator), of epic proportions, in Queensland, I'm relieved I can read this haiku during daylight hours!

SCUTE
A scute or scutum (Latin: scutum; plural: scuta "shield") is a bony external plate or scale overlaid with horn on the skin of crocodilians, and others.

Of course another feature of haiku, and works well over one line, is the double-action of a word that jointly acts, independently as a verb, and as a noun (note: not an action noun in this case).

the moon ridges [VERB] the alligator’s scutes

So that we have movement of the moon's orbit, as well as foliage, water rippling etc... and a very quiet sound, that can be overlooked by some unsuspecting target.

A whole scene is there, and there is both a "still life" portrait, and a portrait of slow movements building up to a rapid action. We are caught in-between, and that "in-between" is a powerful technique and choice in haiku.

Alan

Alan Summers link

1/30/2023 01:07:41 pm

stars begetting stars doubting mariposa
Anette Chaney, USA

The “anthers” (BOTANY) which are the part of a stamen that contains the pollen, look like stars to me, and of course these flowers are seen at elevations above 3,000 going up to 8,000 feet. We’ll feel closer to the stars, and as this is most likely Arizona, New Mexico and the extreme southwest corner of Utah, (plus Mexico, Sonora) the air will be clear to almost touch the stars if you are outside at night.

Doubting Mariposa Lilies are the most frequently encountered Mariposas in Arizona and on a clear night hours later the stars might be close enough to touch those flowers too!

A wonderful natural history haiku diving in and out of nature poetry as well. The words ‘begetting’ [verb] and ‘doubting’ [part of collective name/noun of “Doubting Mariposa”] also have tinges of the Bible, though that potential allusion is not necessary to be recognised in order to enjoy the natural world of this poem!

Alan

Anette Chaney

1/30/2023 01:26:00 pm

Alan, thanks for the gracious commentary of my poem. It is right on to what was intended. For me stars are all about hope and doubt.

I also have read more about the significance of hedgerow in British culture which has added another dimension to your poem I was unaware of. Might not have ever explored without your comments. When i think of hedge row a certain Led Zepplin song comes to mind. Thank you very much.

Anette

Alan Summers link

1/31/2023 06:46:05 am

Ah, yes, Led Zeppelin were very much on their folklore;

"If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now
It's just a spring clean for the May Queen" song lyrics

Hawthorn
The pale green leaves of the hawthorn are often the first to emerge in spring, with pretty clouds of white flowers following in May. The welcome sight of bees busily collecting nectar from the puffs of these flowers is a sure sign that spring is well on its way towards summer.

Leaves
Hawthorn leaves are oval-shaped with deep lobes that cut at least halfway to the middle of the leaf. Look out for leaves with serrated (jagged) edges.

Flowers
The flowers are highly scented and emerge in May. They’re white or sometimes pink, with lots of stamens in the middle, and grow in clusters that have a flat top.
CPRE, the countryside charity

Mystical May in the Hedgerows
10th May 2019
https://finglewoods.org.uk/2019/05/10/mystical-may-in-the-hedgerows-2/

I'm delighted that I described your haiku rightly, although it's still wonderfully welcoming to readers if they have different reactions.

warm regards
Alan

Kat and Robin link

2/1/2023 08:53:37 am

We enjoyed (and are still enjoying!) the many facets of these poems. For Anette's poem, we will add that "mariposa" is Spanish for butterfly, so we liked that a butterfly's perspective was there too during this cosmic questioning and lily-appreciating!

Pris Campbell link

2/3/2023 06:53:31 am

This is on my list of most favorite journals. Such good work in this issue…and the ones before it. Kudos to the editors for conceiving it and the writers who work hard to pole vault over the high bar this journal sets.

Kat and Robin

2/8/2023 06:30:41 pm

Thank you, Pris! We're so glad you enjoy it! Pat yourself on the back while you're at it! :)

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