English Original
grey hair
something left of the boy
in his smile
First Frost, 7, Spring 2023
Deborah Karl-Brandt
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
灰白的頭髮
男孩的某些特質仍留在
他的笑容裡
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
灰白的头发
男孩的某些特质仍留在
他的笑容里
Bio Sketch
Deborah Karl-Brandt works as an author, editor, and educator. Her poems have been published widely, and several have won awards. In 2025, she was selected as a fellow at Confluence. Her new book, Wild Rabbit Moon, was published in 2026.
This understated haiku is evocative and emotionally resonant.
ReplyDeleteThe juxtaposition of grey hair, a visible marker of aging (L1), with the enduring youthfulness suggested by the boy / in his smile (Ls 2&3) creates a subtle yet powerful emotional pivot. Beneath the signs of age, a trace of youthful innocence and vitality remains.
The pause after L1 is particularly effective, both thematically and emotionally. The reader first registers the grey hair, then moves into the warmth of the smile, where the past briefly flickers into the present. The haiku’s quiet restraint allows this moment of recognition to resonate without sentimentality.