people change
like the colors
of a bunting
I feel at peace
when I'm alone
Rusty Tea Kettle, 1:1, January 2009
H. Gene Murtha
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
人們改變
就像一隻頰白鳥
的各式顏色
獨自一人時
我感到內心的平靜
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
人们改变
就像一只颊白鸟
的各式颜色
独自一人时
我感到内心的平静
Bio Sketch
H.
Gene Murtha, a naturalist and poet, sponsored and judged the first
haiku contest for the inner city children of Camden, NJ., for the
Virgilio Group, of which he was a lifetime member. He was widely published
for his work in haikai literature from the USA to Japan.
The opening simile of Ls 1-3 enhances the thematic point of view expressed in the Zen-tinted closing statement of Ls 4&5 that reminds me of this popular saying: "alone in the crowd."
ReplyDeleteGene's thought-provoking tanka sparks my reflection on the following remark:
“I inhale [solitude] like it is the sweet smell of virgin earth conquered by fiery rain drops. Within me, I'm a thousand others.”
― Faraaz Kazi, "Truly, Madly, Deeply."
FYI: "... The male painted bunting is often described as the most beautiful bird in North America and as such has been nicknamed nonpareil, or "without equal".[5] Its colors, dark blue head, green back, red rump, and underparts, make it extremely easy to identify, but it can still be difficult to spot since it often skulks in foliage even when it is singing. The plumage of female and juvenile painted buntings is green and yellow-green, serving as camouflage. Once seen, the adult female is still distinctive, since it is a brighter, truer green than other similar songbirds..."