"The Armchair Squid" has been included in the Sites To See for this week. Be assured that I hope this helps to point many new visitors in your direction.
Thank you. Me, too. We don't see them as much after we take the feeders down (we get bears - no joke) but it's nice to know there's plenty of other food for them in the woods once the snow melts and the bugs come out.
I did consider doing one consisting entirely of non-migratory bird names. I think bird names, in general, are wonderfully serious. But I wondered if people would get the point. A haiku, if one is true to the form (and I believe in at least trying), shouldn't be a riddle. This way, I hope my thought is more obvious.
I also wrote one about my car - a haiku for the modern world!
I'm glad you mentioned that they were migratory birds because I don't know enough about ornithology to have caught your intention without a specific mention.
Also, I enjoy a good riddle. I really, really, really always have because I love to practically feel my brain stretch and strain, but what I love best about haiku is making something familiar come into sharp, plain relief with so few words -- which is exemplified (I hope) in the second haiku I posted today.
Don't get me wrong. I love riddles. But I am trying to be true to the form. Haiku arose out of poetry contests. The ideal is to create one for which there can be no response. Thus, the one complete thought concept. I don't mean to give anyone grief for their own choices. As we've discussed before, setting the limits is a good starting point for me.
Also, if you are truly such a lover of riddles, you need to read The Hobbit, Suze. The chapter "Riddles in the Dark" is a masterpiece all by itself.
Perhaps I'll include the car haiku as a bonus in the final week.
I finally understand your meaning. You were thinking of crafting a haiku without the somewhat explanatory last line. I don't know why it took me so long to catch on. I think when our minds are not accustomed to thinking in particular patterns, even straightforward concepts don't get interpreted properly without somewhat arduous explanation!
I have it, now, though. And, obviously, I wouldn't have gotten it with just the bird names!
The idea came to me as I was considering the change in season. Taking the feeders down is an important March ritual for us. I thought a lot about the meaning of the word. The migratory birds are adapting, too, after all. There is something comforting, though, in knowing that these friends we've made over the winter will still be around, even if we don't see them as much. They remind us that the woods surrounding our house teem with life. I hope that we as humans prove to be something better than unwelcome guests in what is also their home.
Geo's post tonight is very good: http://trainrideoftheenigmas.blogspot.com/2013/05/poppy-at-esterhaza.html
I believe at one point he was visiting this blog and no doubt you were commenting on his posts in return measure for measure. But then perhaps he didn't come by and you stopped visiting his blog so the attachment came undone. Maybe not. Maybe he still comes by and I'm making assumptions. I do sense, however, that you seem to have made some decisions a while ago on how you would blog and the extent to which blogging would influence your interactions and reactions.
Forgive me if I'm in any way offensive by making the following observation, not my intention at all. But you also seem, just to me a friend who has been learning about you for a year and change through this medium, to lack an adapting mechanism which enables you or prompts you to act in unpredictable ways. Commenting first, for example, on a post which interests you, as opposed to the cybernetic fashion in which you return comments only.
Just thought you might be enriched by Geo's post tonight. Or perhaps that you would enrich the conversation by your presence, unprompted by an external source. But then, I guess I sort of ruined that by being that external source. :)
My approach is rather reciprocal in nature, admittedly. It's not lack of interest. It's just an easier starting point.
I've actually made a more conscious effort to visit other blogs this year than in years past - partly because it's good to know what's out there but mostly because bloggers are fun people. My approach has been methodical but I have found - quite pleasingly and unexpectedly - that I've built a small group of friends online. That has and will undoubtedly continue to change my wanderings 'bout the sphere.
In short, your observations are keen but I'm more adaptable than you think. ;^)
I'm glad you didn't take offense at this comment. Mental note: no blogging when suddenly awake at a strange hour and feeling not only philosophical but, apparently, meddlesome.
S'okay. I'm a methodical person - there's no changing that at this point. Like I said, I've changed my approach to the whole think quite consciously. I used to visit more broadly but found that unsatisfying in terms of building reciprocating friendships. This year, I decided to use comments on my own blog as the starting point and the results have been far more gratifying.
But then there's this crazy lady in New Mexico who wakes up at ungodly hours and demands to know more! "What's your deal, Squidorino? Not even your real name! What gives, dude?" and the like. That's the trouble with friends. Once they're invested (and investment is wonderful), their expectations increase.
Suze, you're very good at the social aspect of blogging. I commend you for that. I'm still working out how best to manage this compartment of my life. In the meantime, I am grateful for your patience and your friendship.
Sorry to hear about the spotted owls - they really can't catch a break. There are only two owls indigenous to our woods: barred owls and, the absolute top dogs (so to speak), great horned owls. We never see the latter because they are strictly nocturnal. The barred owls, at least, come out at twilight.
I didn't expect my nerves to be soothed by a list of bird names today, but there you go!
I like how yours are building up a slow and steady word-picture of your own natural surroundings. That's certainly a key ingredient of haiku that I haven't even tried to grasp for (yet?).
Thank you. I think bird names are really cool. As I mentioned in a separate comment, I considered doing one entirely of non-migratory bird names. It's certainly possible syllabically but I didn't know if anyone would get the point.
I think only bird names would have confused- this works better. Although the nuthatch pic, being clearly winter, might have given me a clue. Lovely haiku :-)
"The Armchair Squid" has been included in the Sites To See for this week. Be assured that I hope this helps to point many new visitors in your direction.
ReplyDeletehttp://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2013/03/sites-to-see_15.html
Thank you! I appreciate it. I'll be by to visit you shortly as well.
DeleteLove your haiku... and the pictures. And I, for one, am very glad they're sticking around.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Me, too. We don't see them as much after we take the feeders down (we get bears - no joke) but it's nice to know there's plenty of other food for them in the woods once the snow melts and the bugs come out.
DeleteI love owls.
ReplyDeleteI have to confess, I'm curious about the work that didn't make it into the final post.
Well, of course you are!
DeleteI did consider doing one consisting entirely of non-migratory bird names. I think bird names, in general, are wonderfully serious. But I wondered if people would get the point. A haiku, if one is true to the form (and I believe in at least trying), shouldn't be a riddle. This way, I hope my thought is more obvious.
I also wrote one about my car - a haiku for the modern world!
Sonorous - I meant sonorous, not serious.
DeleteI'm glad you mentioned that they were migratory birds because I don't know enough about ornithology to have caught your intention without a specific mention.
DeleteAlso, I enjoy a good riddle. I really, really, really always have because I love to practically feel my brain stretch and strain, but what I love best about haiku is making something familiar come into sharp, plain relief with so few words -- which is exemplified (I hope) in the second haiku I posted today.
Squid, I wanna read the one about the car. :)
Don't get me wrong. I love riddles. But I am trying to be true to the form. Haiku arose out of poetry contests. The ideal is to create one for which there can be no response. Thus, the one complete thought concept. I don't mean to give anyone grief for their own choices. As we've discussed before, setting the limits is a good starting point for me.
DeleteAlso, if you are truly such a lover of riddles, you need to read The Hobbit, Suze. The chapter "Riddles in the Dark" is a masterpiece all by itself.
Perhaps I'll include the car haiku as a bonus in the final week.
Oh, also, these are all NON-migratory species.
I finally understand your meaning. You were thinking of crafting a haiku without the somewhat explanatory last line. I don't know why it took me so long to catch on. I think when our minds are not accustomed to thinking in particular patterns, even straightforward concepts don't get interpreted properly without somewhat arduous explanation!
DeleteI have it, now, though. And, obviously, I wouldn't have gotten it with just the bird names!
(Thunks thick skull.)
You got it!
DeleteThe idea came to me as I was considering the change in season. Taking the feeders down is an important March ritual for us. I thought a lot about the meaning of the word. The migratory birds are adapting, too, after all. There is something comforting, though, in knowing that these friends we've made over the winter will still be around, even if we don't see them as much. They remind us that the woods surrounding our house teem with life. I hope that we as humans prove to be something better than unwelcome guests in what is also their home.
'The migratory birds are adapting, too, after all.'
DeleteSee, that's what I was thinking. Migrating is an adaptive mechanism, too.
The last few lines of your comment were a poem all their own.
I'm looking forward to the final week!
DeleteGeo's post tonight is very good: http://trainrideoftheenigmas.blogspot.com/2013/05/poppy-at-esterhaza.html
DeleteI believe at one point he was visiting this blog and no doubt you were commenting on his posts in return measure for measure. But then perhaps he didn't come by and you stopped visiting his blog so the attachment came undone. Maybe not. Maybe he still comes by and I'm making assumptions. I do sense, however, that you seem to have made some decisions a while ago on how you would blog and the extent to which blogging would influence your interactions and reactions.
Forgive me if I'm in any way offensive by making the following observation, not my intention at all. But you also seem, just to me a friend who has been learning about you for a year and change through this medium, to lack an adapting mechanism which enables you or prompts you to act in unpredictable ways. Commenting first, for example, on a post which interests you, as opposed to the cybernetic fashion in which you return comments only.
Just thought you might be enriched by Geo's post tonight. Or perhaps that you would enrich the conversation by your presence, unprompted by an external source. But then, I guess I sort of ruined that by being that external source. :)
Your friend, Suze.
My approach is rather reciprocal in nature, admittedly. It's not lack of interest. It's just an easier starting point.
DeleteI've actually made a more conscious effort to visit other blogs this year than in years past - partly because it's good to know what's out there but mostly because bloggers are fun people. My approach has been methodical but I have found - quite pleasingly and unexpectedly - that I've built a small group of friends online. That has and will undoubtedly continue to change my wanderings 'bout the sphere.
In short, your observations are keen but I'm more adaptable than you think. ;^)
Thanks for the link.
I'm glad you didn't take offense at this comment. Mental note: no blogging when suddenly awake at a strange hour and feeling not only philosophical but, apparently, meddlesome.
DeleteHave a great week, Squid.
S'okay. I'm a methodical person - there's no changing that at this point. Like I said, I've changed my approach to the whole think quite consciously. I used to visit more broadly but found that unsatisfying in terms of building reciprocating friendships. This year, I decided to use comments on my own blog as the starting point and the results have been far more gratifying.
DeleteBut then there's this crazy lady in New Mexico who wakes up at ungodly hours and demands to know more! "What's your deal, Squidorino? Not even your real name! What gives, dude?" and the like. That's the trouble with friends. Once they're invested (and investment is wonderful), their expectations increase.
Suze, you're very good at the social aspect of blogging. I commend you for that. I'm still working out how best to manage this compartment of my life. In the meantime, I am grateful for your patience and your friendship.
Laughed at your second paragraph.
DeleteIt's all good.
'kay
DeleteNicely rustic and sonorous.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'll stop by soon to read yours as well.
DeletePerfect! These particular birds are super adaptive, not to mention lovely to watch.
ReplyDeleteBarred owls are taking over here in the NW, unfortunately for the Spotted Owls who cannot compete.
I hope that some day you will share your haiku about your car.
Sorry to hear about the spotted owls - they really can't catch a break. There are only two owls indigenous to our woods: barred owls and, the absolute top dogs (so to speak), great horned owls. We never see the latter because they are strictly nocturnal. The barred owls, at least, come out at twilight.
DeleteI didn't expect my nerves to be soothed by a list of bird names today, but there you go!
ReplyDeleteI like how yours are building up a slow and steady word-picture of your own natural surroundings. That's certainly a key ingredient of haiku that I haven't even tried to grasp for (yet?).
Thank you. I think bird names are really cool. As I mentioned in a separate comment, I considered doing one entirely of non-migratory bird names. It's certainly possible syllabically but I didn't know if anyone would get the point.
DeleteI think only bird names would have confused- this works better. Although the nuthatch pic, being clearly winter, might have given me a clue. Lovely haiku :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you. And thanks for stopping by!
Delete