To stand at the edge of the sea, to sense the ebb and flow of the tides, to feel the breath of a mist moving … is to have knowledge of a thing that is as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be.
Rachel Carson
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Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.
Poem Attribution – Goff James – Steep Rugged Cliffs Rise
Copyright (c) 2025 Goff James – All Rights Reserved
Thoughts About the Poem
The haiku presents a vivid portrayal of a natural scene, encapsulating the essence of October through evocative imagery and sensory details.
The opening line of the poem, “Steep rugged cliffs rise” sets the scene with a strong visual element.
The use of “steep” and “rugged” suggests a wild, unrefined landscape, evoking feelings of awe and perhaps a hint of danger.
It implies permanence and stability, highlighting the majesty and endurance of nature.
The middle line of the poem, “October’s river wanders” introduces movement with the river, contrasting with the static cliffs.
The word “wanders” conveys a sense of tranquility and fluidity, suggesting a leisurely pace that invites reflection.
“October” adds a time marker that evokes the transition of seasons, typically associated with change and introspection.
The closing line of the poem, “Morning’s mist clings fast” introduces a sensory element with “mist,” which enhances the atmosphere of mystery and softness.
The phrase “clings fast” suggests intimacy and a fleeting quality of the morning, emphasizing the ethereal beauty of dawn before it fades away.
This line ties back to the overarching theme of nature’s ephemeral moments.
The haiku encapsulates the beauty of a specific moment in nature through concise language and potent imagery.
It evokes a sense of peace and reflection, allowing one to visualize the scene and experience the stillness of a chilly October morning.
The structure of the haiku adheres to the traditional 5-7-5 syllable pattern, lending it a rhythmic quality that enhances the reading experience.
This succinctness is characteristic of haiku, inviting contemplation and allowing for multiple interpretations.
The piece effectively captures the interplay between permanence (cliffs) and transience (river and mist), which is a common theme in nature poetry, inviting one to reflect on ones own experiences and the fleeting moments of beauty in ones life.
The poem showcases the power of simplicity in poetry and invites one to immerse oneself in the scene described.
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Have you also learned that secret from the river; that there is no such thing as time?” That the river is everywhere at the same time, at the source and at the mouth, at the waterfall, at the ferry, at the current, in the ocean and in the mountains, everywhere and that the present only exists for it, not the shadow of the past nor the shadow of the future.
Poem Attribution – Goff James – Hid In Morning’s Mist
Copyright (c) 2025 Goff James – All Rights Reserved
Thoughts About the Poem
The senryū poem is a brief yet evocative piece that conveys depth and complexity through its succinct structure.
Senryū is a form of Japanese poetry similar to haiku, consisting of three lines with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5.
This poem adheres to that structure, enhancing its aesthetic and rhythmic qualities.
The opening line of the poem, “Hid in morning’s mist,” sets a serene and somewhat mysterious tone.
The imagery of mist suggests obscurity and the idea of things not being fully revealed or understood, inviting one to contemplate what lies beneath the surface.
The middle line of the poem, “A thousand years of yesterdays” introduces the concept of time.
It reflects on the weight of history and past experiences, suggesting that every moment carries the shadow of everything that came before it.
This line evokes a sense of nostalgia and perhaps regret, connecting personal history to a larger, collective human experience.
The closing line of the poem, “Silence’s voice claws” personifies silence, implying that even in the absence of sound, there’s a presence that can be felt.
The word “claws” adds an intense emotional layer, suggesting pain or struggle.
Here, silence is not just peaceful but also a source of inner turmoil, indicating that unexpressed emotions can be sharp and intrusive.
The poem evokes a contemplative mood, prompting one to reflect on ones own experiences of the past and the nature of silence in ones life.
The juxtaposition of beauty (mist) and turmoil (claws of silence) creates a tension that resonates deeply.
The senryū attempts to capture complex emotions using precise language and vivid imagery.
It invites one to explore themes of nostalgia, the weight of history, and the paradoxical nature of silence.
Such layered meanings within a compact form exemplify the strength of poetry in conveying profound thoughts and feelings.
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