a deeper blue
mid-life birthday
tinywords, January 9, 2012
Susan Constable
Commentary: The association here is the concept of half – “half a sky” and “mid-life”. Notice how Susan carefully uses two different words for the same idea. Writing haiku also means using word skills and not just marvelous inspiration. Here again it is the final word that gives the whole poem gravitas and deeper meaning. The concept of half a sky and half a life is impressive but she goes on to add two other images.
“A deeper blue” certainly is a realistic and valid description of sky and it is easy to imagine an actual sky that has a darker blue in part of it. However, when “deeper blue” is added to birthday (as many are profoundly depressed by birthdays) this idea of sadness or melancholy is expressed.
Deeper into this poem is the layer that proclaims that is one half the sky is a darker blue, the future for the person with the birthday, it means that half the sky is lighter. This conveys the idea that the past was happy and light. The “deeper blue” brings the idea that the rest of the life will be richer and more intense – all positive attributes. Susan’s sky does not hold storm clouds or anything really scary. Just a deepening hue of blue. -- excerpted from "Favourite Haiku by Jane Reichhold"
