last rites. . .
rain fading into
bird song
First Place, 2015 Betty Drevniok Award
Carl Seguiban
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
死前的最後儀式 ...
雨逐漸地消逝轉成
鳥的鳴叫聲
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
死前的最後仪式 ...
雨逐渐地消逝转成
鸟的鸣叫声
Bio Sketch
Carl Seguiban resides in British Columbia which inspires his haiku. His haiku are widely published and winner of several contests. Among the prize winners are: 1st and 3rd prize in '2015 Betty Drevniok Award, 1st prize in 2014 RL International Poetry Award, and 1st prize in 2015 Creatrix Haiku Award.
The aural impace of rain fading to birdsong seems both earthy and ethereal. The sadness of the moment is offset by the shift from rain to bird song. Life ends, rain ends, but the birds will sing again. This haiku speaks not only to the transience of life, but also celebrates our passage into death. I have experienced this moment myself in many bedside vigils. [I] found it a healing haiku.
ReplyDelete-- excerpted from the judge's comment, which can be accessed at http://www.haikucanada.org/awards/BettyDrevniokAward2015.pdf