English Original
one buttonhole begins to sing the winter wind
Whiptail, 11, 2024
Robert Epstein
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
一個紐扣孔開始吟唱冬風
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
一个纽扣孔开始吟唱冬风
Bio Sketch
Robert Epstein, a psychologist and haiku poet/anthologist, lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has edited four anthologies: The Breath of Surrender; Dreams Wander On; The Temple Bell Stops; and Now This. He has written two books of haiku: A Walk Around Spring Lake; and Checkout Time is Noon, as well as a chapbook titled, What My Niece Said in His Head: Haiku and Senryu
The phrase "winter wind," as a kigo, grounds the haiku in a specific time and physical environment. and its one-line format allows for a fluid, "one-breath" reading that mirrors the movement of the wind.
ReplyDeleteThe soft "b" sounds in "buttonhole begins" followed by the sharper "w" and "i" sounds in "winter wind" create a rhythmic flow that mimics a rising whistle or gust.
The verb, "sing," bridges the gap between sound and physical sensation. By personifying the "buttonhole," the haiku transforms a mundane piece of clothing into a musical instrument played by nature.