Haiku by Suraj Nanu (India)
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the shape of me
in the vagaries of wind . . .
ocean summer
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The Asahi Shimbun: Sept 2023
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風に見ゆ己の姿海の夏
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HAIKU to Akita’s “Haiku Beyond Earth”
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deadheading
grandma’s prayers
now in a whisper
The Japan Society Haiku Corner: Week 35 – Sept 2023
ばあちゃんの花がら摘みの祈りかな
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herbarium bottle
mother’s fingerprints
on the lavender
Presence Haiku Journal: Issue # 76 Aug 2023
植物の標本瓶にラベンダー母の指紋が浮かんで見える
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the shape of me
in the vagaries of wind . . .
ocean summer
The Asahi Shimbun: Sept 2023
風に見ゆ己の姿海の夏
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crab footprints . . .
my fingers traipsing
through her curls
The Mainichi – Japan’s National daily: March 26, 2021.
Also featured in the annual selection of haiku for 2021 with a comment by Dhugal J Lindsay:
A nice concrete image of being on a sandy beach with a partner. The link between the crab’s feet and fingertips works well. Even movements are captured. Very nice!
砂浜や私の指は蟹の足カールの髪を真横に撫でる
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summer sky
the sound of a Baul
mending her lute
Modern Haiku Journal: Issue 52.2
夏の空バウル繕ふリュートの音
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a light knock
on your door . . .
spring rain
Blithe Spirit, Journal of the British Haiku Society: Issue # 34.1 Feb 2024
春雨や玄関軽くノックする
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morning glory . . .
an error she finds
in the epitaph
Presence Haiku Journal: Issue # 69
朝顔や誤り見付く墓碑銘に
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gardener’s grave
weeds offering the best
of the season
Better than Starbucks: Aug 2021
雑草や庭師の墓に旬供ふ
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deep wood glade
a wanderoo copies
my sad face
The haiku Foundation Haiku Dialogue: 01 Nov 2023
深き森悲しさ映すワンデルー
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spring rapture
between your eyes and mine
the sea is calm
The Asahi Shimbun: 21 May 2021
目の語る春の歓喜や海静か
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winter separation
relishing the softness
of clams
haikuNetra: Issue # 1.4, Dec 2023
蛤に冬の別れを味はえり
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Note: Short Japanese Poetry of 17 phonetic Units of 5, 7, 5 Pattern
Inspired by ten English haiku by Suraj Nanu, Hidenori Hiruta translated them literally into ten Japanese short poems first of all.
As a result, the interpretative Japanese poems of 5, 7, 5 pattern are added to the English haiku as above. Some of them might be haiku（俳句）, and others senryū（川柳).
Surprisingly, two of the English haiku were interpreted into Japanese tanka （短歌）poetry of 5,7,5,7,7 pattern.This is because English is different from Japanese.
Message:
Dear Hiruta San,
I trust this message finds you in good health and spirits.
Allow me to introduce myself: I am Suraj Nanu, hailing from India.
Currently, I am contemplating the publication of a collection of my haiku in book form. I reside in the state of Kerala, where our mother tongue, Malayalam, is spoken by a modest 35 million individuals. Despite our relatively modest linguistic community, we boast a rich literary heritage.
However, haiku has made only a limited impact in my state. My goal with this book is to spark interest among the younger generation, particularly millennials. I’ve crafted a gentle introduction aimed at readers unfamiliar with haiku and a comprehensive list of journals and relevant websites for further exploration. As a first initiative, I plan to distribute complimentary copies to the literary clubs of universities.
I am offering some of my haiku for your review. If you find any that resonate with you and choose to publish them in the Akita International Haiku Network, it would greatly support my endeavour. Additionally, I kindly request your permission in advance to include any translations and your accompanying comments in my forthcoming book. I eagerly await a favourable response and your blessings.
With warm regards and love,
Suraj Nanu
Some Introduction of Suraj Nanu’s Book:
Akita International Haiku Network 