we slip
into our mother tongues
lovers' quarrel
Honourable Mention, 2022 Haiku Society of America Senryu Contest
Chen-ou Liu
Commentary by the judges: The word "quarrel" is well-chosen here. This seems to be a couple that is set in their ways and are repeating a familiar fight that's been had before. There may even be a comfort in this fight, a routine or known argument, that parallels the comfort of speaking in a mother tongue. There is also the idea that when tempers flare and we lose control, that we instinctively return to what is learned during developmental years, be it a common topic or a familiar language, so maybe this couple has returned to their native language mid-fight without even realizing it. “slip” and “mother tongues” were also carefully selected for this senryu, as the senryu could lean towards a make-up kiss after a fight. Regardless, this is a great observation of human behavior.
FYI: My senryu below could be read as a response to the judges' comment: "the senryu could lean towards a make-up kiss after a fight."
lovers' quarrel ...
her black cat and my pitbull
eyeball to eyeball
Failed Haiku, 2:22, October 2017
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