English Original
tree hollow
the ins and outs
of another world
Desert Stones, 2018
Simon Hanson
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
樹洞
另一個世界
的來龍去脈
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
树洞
另一个世界
的来龙去脉
Bio Sketch
Simon Hanson lives in forested Tasmania in the company of animals and birds and the sounds of a trickling creek. Formerly Secretary to the Australian Haiku Society he is currently co-editor of Echidna Tracks. He has an e-book collection; Desert Stones (Snapshot Press) freely available here for you.
L1, "tree hollow," presents a concrete image that is also symbolically rich. It immediately evokes a hidden world inhabited by birds, insects, fungi, and small mammals, while also suggesting the intertwined processes of decay, renewal, and the cycle of life.
ReplyDeleteL2, "the ins and outs," operates on both literal and figurative levels. Literally, it refers to the constant movement of creatures entering and leaving the hollow. Idiomatically, it suggests the inner workings, rhythms, and complexities of a self-contained ecosystem.
L3, "of another world," expands the haiku's perspective without becoming overly abstract. Rather than referring to a fantastical realm, it invites readers to recognize that the miniature ecosystem within the tree hollow functions as a world unto itself, governed by its own rhythms, relationships, and forms of life. L3 effectively transforms an ordinary natural feature into a place of quiet wonder, encouraging a shift in perception from the familiar to the extraordinary.