I’m surprised to see her listed (because she’s non-fiction). I read Through the Narrow Gate, The History of God and The Battle for God. I enjoyed them all but read her scholarship has been under some controversy. Which works did you read?

P.S. I have to thank you for reminding me about her. I meant to read the Spiral Staircase but promised myself a few years ago that I would not buy another book until I read every single one I had. Now, I have.

I have read “A History Of God”,

Sincerely,
Wafi

that I just finished reading her “The Spiral Staircase,” which discusses her journey from exiting the convent to her study of comparative religion. It was extremely rewarding. I hope you’ll have a chance to read it. Hope you’re well. –Arrow

Thanks for stoping by, Arrow. Looking forward to reading The Spiral Staircase.

Sincerely yours,
Wafi

I just wanted to thank you for your warm welcome.I love the diverse selection of poetry here.So much talent,so many different perspectives.It’s nice to be able to converse with fellow poets too.Best wishes to you to my friend.
Mysticalpoetlady (Angie)

Apparently, (I am not an expert on all forms of Japanese poetry, not an expert at all but a lover of the haïku of nature my mentor par excellence)

the Senryu is more about human foibles,more cynical, darkly humorous and not seasonal with 17 “on” sounds.

whereas the Haïku is more serious and almost always about nature even if it be the nature of us humans. The Haïku is 5 -7 -5 as you said.

And yet I read now in R.H. Blyth ( vol 4 Autumn-Winter Heian International. South San Fransisco.), again, that …….”the 17 syllable haïku may well claim equality with the world masterpieces of epic, drama, and lyric.

Basho has not the grim strength of Dante but he also sees how:-

The little flowers, bent and shut by the chill of night
Soon as the sunlight whitens them,
Erect themselves quite open on their stems. Dante’s Inferno II 127-129

He has not Shakespeare’s power to create forms more real than living man, but has the universality of

Truly, sir, I am a poor fellow that would live,
a
as applied to all the things in the world, animate and inanimate:

Looking carefully,-
There is a shepherds-purse
Blooming under the hedge.
He has not Homer’s grasp of the primitive nobility of men and women, but he has his pleasure in the plain and elemental things of life:

In the bitter radish
That bites into me, I feel
The autumn wind.

Goethe’s understanding of science was to Basho unknown, but he shares with him the knowledge that there is nothing behind phenomena; “They are themselves the meaning.”…..

Basho gives us the same feeling of depth as Bach, and by the same means, not by noise and emotion as in Beethoven and Wagner, but by a certian serenity and “expressiveness” which never aims at beauty but often achieves it as it were by accident…..many people must have had the experience of reading haïku which have not seemed very good or striking, and yet, for strange and unknown reason, were unforgettable…..

I must stop quoting, one will have to read for oneself to go deeper into the theme I feel, I couldn’t help doing so to help explain as it is like music inexplainable? Its all very fascinating ins’t it? I do not feel one should ‘hang oneself up in’(norsk) the number of syllables unless that is the mathematic aim, as opposed to catching the poetry of an expression, its too rigid and hinders the flow of ourstatement possibly very different in rhythm to the sounds, the “on” of the Japanese language. I tend to concentrate on the inner meaning of a poem and forget the 5-7-5. Especially as the Chinese inspiration for these poems was always combined with a (explanatory?) painting, calligraphy playing a very important role and the swing of the brush revealing a feeling not described in words/sounds.

I hope I have helped and that you will feel the freedom to create something to satisfy yourself after all this theory.

respectfully Ann

Ann, thank you so very much for taking the time to considor my questions regarding Haiku and Senryu.Learnt many things which I didnt know, from your kind comment. I am glad and very thankful to you for clearing my confusion, specially the 5-7-5 and 3-5-3, as I was so concerned about it. The inner meaning is more important, as you said.

Best Wishes.

Sincerely,
Wafi

That’s a lovely welcome & I apreciate it being a newie.. I think I will enjoy it.. I have always written (well since I was 13 or so I’ve kept a journal), & never really considered myself a writer until a few years ago… the truth is I cannot bare not to write, but I am so used to being in that place alone… this is such a new experience to be immersed in a community of people who have the same passion (or similar)… Might take a bit of getting used to, but I get a sense it will be a joy..
I shall go read some of your work now while I have just a little time.

Cheers
Anni

your quote isn’t bad either! And so true! What would be life without love? Worthless and dark I think…and not worth living. Thanks for your warm words of welcome, Wafi, I truly appreciate.

Best wishes,

Jools

You are always welcome my friend.
Glad you like my “favorite quote”.

Sincerely,
Wafi

Wafi

Remember I told you I wanted to use your words form Rabia Will for a song. Well here it is… I used your original version as I preferred it better.. I will be recording it with the next two months and will post it on my MySpace site…. the rest of the song is not about the poem or yourself after the power of those first two lines I made the rest personal… The music (guitar) for the song is simply beautiful…. It is one of my most favourite songs to play…. Many thanks & stay tuned my friend… I decided to call the song:

“Seven guitars & a mocking bird”

I want to take the fires from hell
And I want to set the heavens on fire
Tell me again and I’ll know your lie
Tell me again and I’ll know… I know

A motorcycle & a man
Seven guitars & a mocking bird
A poet you are but without the words
A poet you are but without… the words

Take me down to the riverside
And I’ll sing you a lullaby
About the birds
And everything that’s good
Look up in the sky do you see the heavens on fire
I’m done with the words let them float….
I‘m done with the words let them float away….

Anonymouspoet, Thanks a lot . I read it, its quite beautiful. Will love to check it on MySpace.com site when ready.

Sincerely,
Wafi

Sorry I have not popped in but I have had a bit on my plate and time is always there. Anyway, how are you? Okay I hope. Missing your poetry.
and just to say, Hi,lol.
Love to you and yours, Lyz. Xx

Hi dear Lyz, so glad to see you here. Was a little bit disturbed, couldn’t check out the new work of my loving neopoet friends. Thanks for popping in and missing my poetry. Means a lot to me.
Cant wait to check your new creations :)

Sincerely,
Wafi

“Culture, location and beliefs; All vanish with love!” ~Afzal Shauq~

Hope all is okay with u and yours.
Just thought I would pop in and say Hi.
Hope to read more of your writes soon.
Love from Lyz.
XX

Thank you for adding me as your buddy. :)

Regards
Pragyan.