our haijin rests
Viewing comments for Chapter 3 "haiku (straggling sticks)"In Remembrance of Alvin T. Ethington
29 total reviews
Comment from Joan E.
Thank you for adding your tribute to this memorial book. You were fortunate to have had Alvin as a teacher, and I believe his legacy will live on at FanStory. He would be proud that you saluted him with this fine haiku. Your use of alliteration intensifies the image. Warm regards- Joan
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2014
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Thank you for adding your tribute to this memorial book. You were fortunate to have had Alvin as a teacher, and I believe his legacy will live on at FanStory. He would be proud that you saluted him with this fine haiku. Your use of alliteration intensifies the image. Warm regards- Joan
Comment Written 12-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2014
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Thank you for reading and reviewing my post, Joan. Yes, Alvin will be missed.
peace and blessings, my friend
julia
Comment from Lovinia
Hi Julia
Your haku is stunning. The red and white so representative of death, the rose such a beloved bloom..... yes I remember the rose in his last post.
Your haiku is full of imagery and paints a graphic, dynamic picture ... one could say, you reflect the 'beauty of struggle, both in the stage of "straggling" and then in the triumph of that struggle, "my summer roses" In another layer it could represent the struggle of life and then the salvation in Heaven.
A beautiful tribute to our dear Alvin ....... I can also see the struggle of poets to understand and write in these favourite Japanese forms, and the results of Alvin's patience, kindness and persistence on helping his own students bloom.
A poem with many facets, as our
"Teach" was a man of many facets.
He would have loved this one .... you have an abundance of 's' alliteration and consonance which works so well without any detraction from your poetic voice. I love it Julia. Well done. Hugs - Lovi xoxox
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2014
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Hi Julia
Your haku is stunning. The red and white so representative of death, the rose such a beloved bloom..... yes I remember the rose in his last post.
Your haiku is full of imagery and paints a graphic, dynamic picture ... one could say, you reflect the 'beauty of struggle, both in the stage of "straggling" and then in the triumph of that struggle, "my summer roses" In another layer it could represent the struggle of life and then the salvation in Heaven.
A beautiful tribute to our dear Alvin ....... I can also see the struggle of poets to understand and write in these favourite Japanese forms, and the results of Alvin's patience, kindness and persistence on helping his own students bloom.
A poem with many facets, as our
"Teach" was a man of many facets.
He would have loved this one .... you have an abundance of 's' alliteration and consonance which works so well without any detraction from your poetic voice. I love it Julia. Well done. Hugs - Lovi xoxox
Comment Written 11-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 12-Mar-2014
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Thank you for this wonderful review, Lovi. I love that you found multiple interpretations. In my heart, I meant it to be a poem of transformation as well as a bow to the haiku message of perceiving rather than seeing the natural world.
The alliteration is entirely fortuitous. So pleased it didn't overwhelm the write!
Always a pleasure to hear from you, dear one
peace and blessings, julia.
Comment from rouskin
straggling sticks half-buried in the snow-my summer roses
A lovely tribute to a great person I did not know him but he obviously had many friends Blessings, Rouskin
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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straggling sticks half-buried in the snow-my summer roses
A lovely tribute to a great person I did not know him but he obviously had many friends Blessings, Rouskin
Comment Written 07-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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Thank you, rouskin. Alvin's passion for poetry caused him to be both liked and disliked on this site. All of us who contributed to this book admired and respected him. It's sad to contemplate his loss. Appreciate your stopping by to read and review, my friend.
peace and blessings, julia
Comment from Righteous Riter
straggling sticks
half-buried in the snow
my summer roses
Good complimentary photo. This piece does not exceed 17 syllables. Good alliteration with straggling/sticks. Clear message that is short and simple.
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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straggling sticks
half-buried in the snow
my summer roses
Good complimentary photo. This piece does not exceed 17 syllables. Good alliteration with straggling/sticks. Clear message that is short and simple.
Comment Written 07-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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Thank you for reading and reviewing, RR
peace and blessings, julia
Comment from Bayberry
Thank you for sharing this lovely haiku in memory of Alvin. It truly does him credit and shows how much students have been able to achieve from his classes. Blessings always, Janet
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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Thank you for sharing this lovely haiku in memory of Alvin. It truly does him credit and shows how much students have been able to achieve from his classes. Blessings always, Janet
Comment Written 07-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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I'm humbled by your comments, Janet. Alvin taught me the power of symbols in haiku. The rose evokes strong feelings in most of us. In this haiku, I wanted to refer to the Virgin Mary. I believe? hope? that Alvin's spirit understands my hidden intention.
peace and blessings, julia
Comment from Visheshta Dahiya
a lovely poem with a lovely picture.
the use of words is great and apt.
the description about the particular time is brilliantly done.
best wishes
Visheshta
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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a lovely poem with a lovely picture.
the use of words is great and apt.
the description about the particular time is brilliantly done.
best wishes
Visheshta
Comment Written 07-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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Thank you for an excellent review, Visheshta. I'm so pleased you stopped by to read my tribute to Alvin.
peace and blessings, julia
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welcome :)
and thanks a lot for the blessings
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;-))
Comment from Helvi2
Hi Julia,
It's nice to see students recall the things that touched them about Alvin. I think they make this guest book very special. I totally agree with your thoughts of Alvin as a teacher and a poet. I felt increddibly honored when he liked something I wrote. He was gem and I will miss his presence here.
Very Nicely Done! :o) Helvi
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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Hi Julia,
It's nice to see students recall the things that touched them about Alvin. I think they make this guest book very special. I totally agree with your thoughts of Alvin as a teacher and a poet. I felt increddibly honored when he liked something I wrote. He was gem and I will miss his presence here.
Very Nicely Done! :o) Helvi
Comment Written 07-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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Thank you for your thoughtful and kind review, Helvi. Alvin gave his all as a teacher, even during the dark days of his illness. He took the time to explain why he liked (or didn't like) a write. My work doesn't begin to do his instruction justice. But I continue to try.
peace and blessings, julia
Comment from springrain
Julia, your haiku is a very apt and moving tribute to Alvin, as it visualizes his Christian faith in a beautiful way. I never took any of his classes, but from what I understand, he was an excellent and caring teacher.
Many hugs, Olof
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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Julia, your haiku is a very apt and moving tribute to Alvin, as it visualizes his Christian faith in a beautiful way. I never took any of his classes, but from what I understand, he was an excellent and caring teacher.
Many hugs, Olof
Comment Written 06-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 07-Mar-2014
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Thank you so much for your perceptive review, Olof. This is a coded haiku! Although he wasn't Roman Catholic, (he was Episcopalian like me) Alvin was something of a devotee of the Virgin Mary. As you know, the rose is her flower. I hope the Holy Mother brought him the comfort of her presence at the time of his passing.
peace and blessings, julia
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Thanks for your kind and thorough answer. Yes, although I am a none-believer, I also hope she was there for him. Sometimes I can feel great comfort in a sense of "presence" of the historical Mary. Exactly what that is and means, I really do not know. All the best, Olof
Comment from Ric Myworld
Another of your fine ways with words in your poems. Taking plain old sticks half buried in snow, and making it into something beautiful, and a wonderful tribute to Alvin. Thanks for another great read.
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2014
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Another of your fine ways with words in your poems. Taking plain old sticks half buried in snow, and making it into something beautiful, and a wonderful tribute to Alvin. Thanks for another great read.
Comment Written 06-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2014
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Hello Ric
Thank you for reading and taking the time to review, my friend. I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Alvin to opening my eyes to the beauty of haiku. He was a true haijin.
peace and blessings, julia
Comment from poetbear
This is moving and beautifully written.
You have paid mim the ultimate compliment as a poet and his student.
Well done.
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2014
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This is moving and beautifully written.
You have paid mim the ultimate compliment as a poet and his student.
Well done.
Comment Written 06-Mar-2014
reply by the author on 06-Mar-2014
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Thank you, PB. I owe a great deal to Alvin's instruction and encouragement.
peace and blessings, julia
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As a retired NYC Teacher, I know.
