English Original
autumn twilight:
the wreath on the door
lifts in the wind
Dust of Summers, 2007
Nick Virgilio
Chinese Translation (Traditional)
秋日黃昏：
門上的花環
隨風飄揚
Chinese Translation (Simplified)
秋日黄昏：
门上的花环
随风飘扬
Bio Sketch
Nick Virgilio (June 28, 1928 – January 3, 1989) was an internationally acclaimed poet who played a pivotal role in popularizing haiku in the United States. Following his debut publication in American Haiku in 1963, Virgilio composed thousands of poems over a career spanning more than two decades. His seminal 1988 collection, Selected Haiku, remains one of the most influential volumes in American haiku history. To explore his legacy further, read Cor van den Heuvel’s 1990 essay, "Nick Virgilio and American Haiku: Creating Haiku and an Audience," originally prepared for the International Haiku Forum in Matsuyama, Japan.
ReplyDeleteThis haiku captures a quiet, cinematic moment, using a final touch of movement to bring the static scene to life.
L 1, "autumn twilight," establishes both the season and a specific quality of light with elegant economy. The concluding colon acts as a classic haiku kireji (cutting word), pausing the momentum to shift the reader's gaze from the vast, fading sky to a single, focused detail.
L 2, "the wreath on the door,") introduces an everyday symbol of domesticity. By keeping the description minimal, it lets the reader infer the approaching holidays or changing seasons without forcing a rigid interpretation.
L 3, "lifts in the wind," provides the poem's vital spark. A wreath is typically a fixed, static decoration; watching it suddenly lift infuses the familiar object with unexpected life. This subtle motion introduces a touch of the uncanny, leaving the reader with the haunting impression that the season itself is stirring the home.