Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Butterfly Dream: Intermittent Rain Haiku by John McManus

English Original

intermittent rain
the doctor restarts
our baby's heart

Modern Haiku, 45:1, Winter/Spring 2014

John McManus


Chinese Translation (Traditional)

斷斷續續地下雨
醫生重新使我們寶寶
的心臟跳動

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

断断续续地下雨
医生重新使我们宝宝
的心脏跳动


Bio Sketch

John McManus is a poet from Carlisle, Cumbria, England. His haiku and senryu have appeared in various journals all over the world. He currently works as a support worker for people with mental health issues. In his spare time he enjoys watching films, sharing poetry with friends and spending time with his family.

2 comments:

  1. In John's heart-wrenching haiku, the implied contrast of sounds (of "intermittent rain," the defibrillator and the heart beating) sparks the reader's emotions and reflection on human health, daily life and vulnerability.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is precisely why I don't write haiku as such, but rather use the inherited form as a starting point to write poetry.

    ReplyDelete