Twilight Poems is a beautiful and wonderfully evocative collection of Sri Lankan haiku. Each haiku is a vivid depiction, painting scenes of lush landscapes, rich culture, and the intricate daily life of the island. These haikus are written by the Sri Lankan poetess Nalini de Silva. [I use the word poet and not poetess (for female poet) Because I think it is wrong to discriminate based on gender].
This is her first collection of poetry. I am very grateful to the poet for sending this book from Sri Lanka to Pakistan through the post office. A haiku is a traditional Japanese poem with three lines. The first line has five syllables, the second line has seven, and the third line has five. Haikus often focus on nature, seasons, and moments of beauty, capturing deep feelings in few words. Haikus originated in Japan in the 17th century, evolving from the hokku.
Matsuo Basho, one of the most famous haiku poets, helped to popularize and develop the form, emphasizing simplicity and depth. Haikus became known for their ability to convey profound emotions and insights in just a few lines. The book, while brief, is filled with beautiful haikus. It expertly reflects both nature and the social aspects of human life. Her deep connection with Sri Lanka is evident, resonating emotionally in every poem.
She has a great love for nature. She loves rain, frogs hopping in the rain, and butterflies. These haikus present a series of evocative images and emotions, each one encapsulating a moment of beauty, reflection, or melancholy.
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
To my lonely house
Child comes running
Delivering happiness
This haiku beautifully captures the joy and warmth that a child’s presence can bring into a home. The contrast between the “lonely house” and the “happiness” delivered by the child is poignant, emphasizing the transformative power of innocence and love.
Frog
Is the duzzle
A tune to your song?
Here, the poet seems to be pondering the natural world, particularly the frog. The use of “duzzle,” though unconventional, adds a sense of whimsy and curiosity. It suggests a fascination with the frog’s song, perhaps wondering if it holds a deeper meaning or connection to the world around it.
Under the lamp
A lady butterfly
Searching for a ring.
This haiku presents a delicate and almost mystical image of a butterfly under a lamp, seemingly in search of something precious. The “ring” could symbolize completeness, union, or a quest for something significant. It evokes a sense of quiet beauty and mystery.
Wall clock
At the parcental home
Lamenting alone
This piece conveys a deep sense of nostalgia and sorrow. The “wall clock” personified as “lamenting alone” at the parental home suggests the passage of time and the loneliness that can accompany it. It hints at memories of the past and the silence left behind.
Oh the wave
Sprinkled sand on
Daughters frock.
This haiku captures a fleeting, tender moment by the sea. The wave sprinkling sand on the daughter’s frock is a simple yet vivid image that speaks to the playful and transient nature of childhood and the natural world’s interaction with our lives.
How to impart a kiss
Moon is there
Hills too are observing
This haiku portrays a romantic or intimate moment with a touch of introspection. The presence of the moon and the observing hills adds a sense of grandeur and timelessness to the act of imparting a kiss. It suggests that love and intimacy are universal experiences, witnessed by the eternal elements of nature.
Overall, these haikus are rich in imagery and emotion, each one painting a small, yet vivid picture. They evoke a range of feelings from joy and wonder to nostalgia and introspection, all within the concise and delicate framework of the haiku form.
Sadam Bapar
from Pakistan
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