Saturday, May 25, 2019

Butterfly Dream: Frat Initiation Haiku by Karen O’Leary

English Original

roasting freshmen
for a frat initiation ...
one dead

Karen O’Leary


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

為加入兄弟會
大一新生們遭折磨 ...
一人慘死

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

为加入兄弟会
大一新生们遭折磨 ...
一人惨死


Bio Sketch

Karen O’Leary is a writer and editor from West Fargo, ND. She has published poetry, short stories, and articles in a variety of venues including, Frogpond, A Hundred Gourds, bear creek haiku, Shemom, Creative Inspirations and NeverEnding Story. She edited an international online journal called Whispers  for 5 ½ years. She enjoys sharing the gift of words.
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11 comments:

  1. Chen-ou Liu, 劉鎮歐May 25, 2019 at 6:28 PM

    Karen's haiku effectively builds, line by line, to a thematically significant and emotionally devastating ending that reveals the theme of fraternity hazing death in relation to toxic masculinity.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 28, 2019 at 2:19 AM

      Dear Chen-ou,

      Thank you so much for the insightful thoughts on my haiku. These hazing episodes end up is sad results way too often. I appreciate all the time you put into translating my poem. You have such a beautiful journal. It is always a pleasure to be published here.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  2. VernMay 26, 2019 at 3:34 PM

    Dear Chen-ou Liu. I am a haiku poet and would like to submit poems for translation and publication. What email address do I send to?

    Warm regards,

    Veronika

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chen-ou Liu, 劉鎮歐May 26, 2019 at 5:03 PM

      Hi! Veronika:

      See the submission guidelines in "Butterfly Dream Anthology : Call for Haiku Submissions," accessed at http://neverendingstoryhaikutanka.blogspot.com/2019/01/butterfly-dream-anthology-call-for.html

      All the best,

      Chen-ou

      Delete
    2. Karen O'LearyMay 28, 2019 at 2:21 AM

      Dear Veronika,

      I hope you will submit to Chen-ou's wonderful journal. Best wishes with your writing.

      Karen

      Delete
  3. Isha WMay 28, 2019 at 2:47 AM

    what an extraordinary haiku, Karen, which expresses (to me) many varying shades of meaning, countless in fact. Perhaps I don't fully understanding your meaning and therein lies the beauty and mystery of poetry/haiku. With good wishes.

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    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 28, 2019 at 11:37 PM

      Dear Isha,

      Thank you for your insightful and encouraging response to my haiku. In haiku, we are often left with way for our own personal interpretation thus entering into it with our experiences. It leaves the door open for connections far beyond the minimalist approach of haiku. My meaning doesn't have to be the same as yours--the beauty of haiku. Thank you so much for these thoughts.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  4. Michael ToddMay 28, 2019 at 3:15 AM

    Inclusion comes at a cost here, Karen.
    A premium poem, profound...
    Great to see you here with Chen-ou Liu.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen O'LearyMay 28, 2019 at 11:40 PM

      Dear Michael,

      Thank you so much for your thoughts on my haiku. Yes, inclusion does come at a cost, the loss of a candle before it has a chance to shine. Best wishes to you and your family, my friend.

      Blessings,
      Karen

      Delete
  5. paul callusMay 28, 2019 at 9:13 AM

    I believe the topic is what is known as 'hazing'. In some cases it can be abusive and humiliating. Your haiku gives us a glimpse of how extreme it can be allowed to go. Congrats on having your poem published here, and not the first time, either! Regards // paul

    ReplyDelete
  6. Karen O'LearyMay 28, 2019 at 11:42 PM

    Dear Paul,

    Thank you for your insightful thoughts on something that sometimes leads to tragic results. Why people find it fun to humiliate others is truly sad. I appreciate your congrats.

    Blessings,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete

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