Bruce Feingold's Haiku & Senryu on Human Nature
by Grace Ganley
Bruce Feingold was born in Los Angles, CA and works as a clinical psychologist in the Bay Area. As an English literature major, he has published numerous poems, haiku and senryu, as well as winning several honors in poetry contests. Bruce Feingold defines haiku by the use of "contrasting sensory images and direct simple languages" (Feingold 76). It describes experience and defines the natural world while linking it to emotion and everyday events. Throughout his writing, he not only connects this art through haiku but also senryu. Senryu is a similar form and structure of writing to haiku. This form focuses more on human nature in a satirical or humorous manner.
In Feingold's book, A New Moon, he presents haiku and senryu throughout each of the six sections. The sections such and "Berkeley" and "Maui" represent an earthlier, physical sense in his story whereas the sections such as "Family and Friends" and "A Faintly Smiling Buddha" are more topical and emotional. As an author, he focuses on free feeling and expressing impression in the moment, specifically, in a more whimsical, satirical matter. Also throughout the book, other forms of expressive innovation are displayed through the pencil drawings of Eona. These beautiful drawings frame the poems in a original way, being engulfed in whites space to personify their originality. To briefly define how Feingold feels and portrays his work, his book states,
"If the haiku and senryu help you feel deeply about yourself, others, and the natural world, and if you experience beauty and truths that otherwise you might overlook in your daily life, I'll be satisfied that my poems have been successful." (Feingold 76)
This statement truly displays the detail he hopes to accomplish and the simplicity that his haiku achieve throughout his book. Not only with his poems and writing but also with his pairing of simplistic art by Eona. In order to personify his portrayal of his belief in the art of haiku, or the way of haiku, these haiku are representative of his philosophy.
yoga
unfolding
my mind
Feingold, ANM, 8
This haiku, from the section "Alone", is a very simplistic haiku. It epitomizes his philosophy of being in the moment and everyday detail. On the other hand, it also can have many different, deeper meanings. For example, yoga, as an art of exercising, is to unwind the mind, body and spirit. It does not embody a philosophical journey through nature as many haiku do, it is a simple art form. The way Feingold initially references yoga and brings the reader into the mindset of unfolding, being what yoga physically does is, is the first way it can be taken. It is seen in a visual way. Then it is taken to an emotional physical state of unwinding the mind as well. Many people use yoga to not only physically gain flexibility but also emotionally and mentally gain peace of mind and adaptable. The play on words is modest but allows the reader to visualize the poem in many ways that creates the simple, in the moment feeling that would be portrayed.
summer breeze
thoughts of my children
pass through me
Feingold, ANM, 30
This haiku is written in the section "Family and Friends". Appropriately placed in this section it references the thoughts of one's children. The summer breeze is a very warm feeling that engulfs you, which correlates with the suggestion of a thought or feeling passing through you. Also, it allows the reader to visualize an individual being hit by a warm summer breeze, and as the breeze passes through them in a physical way, the beautiful warming thought of their children emotionally passes through them. In a way, the breeze symbolizes the thought of the children. Summer breezes often bring comfort to those who experience it. By experiencing the summer breeze, the individual's mind is overcome with comforting memories such as their good times with family and friends. Overall a summer breeze provides the individual with a comforting feeling that is associated with it and the section he placed the haiku in.
in a distant mist . . .
children skip stones
on an old pond
Feingold, ANM, 37
This haiku, also displayed in the "Friends and Family" section, has many correlations. This haiku, unlike the others mentioned, also has an illustration to help the reader visualize the image. This haiku may or may not have many deeper meanings, but none that are initially obvious. The way the three periods extend the first line, and the image draw attention to the skipping stones. This haiku is also very simplistic, as well as very serene. With the illustration, it adds to the beauty of the haiku. It allows the reader to see the author and illustrators vision. It is a blank, simple, but yet detailed illustration. This not only correlates to the haiku in many ways, but also correlates to Feingold's beliefs and philosophy.
questioning—
the trade winds blow away
the answers
Feingold, ANM, 55
A haiku from "Maui" that can be read in different ways. Initially it can be read as questioning, do the trade wind blow away the answers? Then, it can also be read as the questioning of the author is blown away by the trade winds. The section name alone gives the image more then anything. Without the vision of Maui, this leave the reader questioning. It is a place where all worries and questions are blown away. Although this haiku is not necessarily visualized with an image or illustration, the reference with the section name and the other haiku surrounding it with the simplistic ideal of a geological location allows the reader to put the haiku in perspective.
chemotherapy—
Thanksgiving passes
without a word
Feingold, ANM, 60
Found in "A Faintly Smiling Buddha", this haiku paints more of a somber picture. It initially draws the picture in with the implication of a cancer patient. Thanksgiving is a holiday when one takes the time to express their gratitude, thanks and parts of their life that are blessed and meaningful to them. Inferring that Thanksgiving is passing without a word implies that there is nothing to be thankful for. The life they live is not blessed. It is explained in one word, chemotherapy. When it is structured with the dash after the word, it reads that the following lines are descriptive. The following lines are just that. They justify the tone that the first line sets in a creative way.
months after death
her voice still vibrant and strong
on the answering machine
Feingold, ANM, 64
This haiku found in "A Faintly Smiling Buddha" describes a very sad, grieving tone. It is an image of remembrance and love but also grief. To imagine someone calling and calling a deceased loved one month after death just to hear their voice one more time is a sorrowful vision. This haiku is somewhat puzzling initially when the author references a vibrant and strong voice and then goes on to state that it is only one from the answering machine. It takes somewhat of a turn that forces the reader to sympathize with the individual. Although it is a sorrowful haiku, it is a beautiful simple one as well with much emotion. It gives your emotion "in the moment".
ruminating
about a haiku
I
slip
on
the
stairs
Feingold, ANM, 20
This haiku read out of "Family and Friends" is structurally one of the more interesting represented in Feingold's book. It initially is interesting because it is a haiku, that forces the reader to contemplate a haiku about contemplating haiku. It takes the reader and puts them in the perspective of the writer and the feeling, emotion, and sense of deep thought they have when writing haiku. Also, the way it allows you to read "I slip on the stairs", the haiku falls as if to be falling down the stairs. This haiku in itself is simplistic but adds complications within the text and thought of the image.
melting snow
on his desk, notebook and a pen,
a final haiku
Feingold, ANM, 73
This haiku is a more symbolic image as well as a calming, beautiful. It describes the ending of something beautiful and peaceful. The way the haiku starts with melting snow, something that is gone, and allows new things to grow after and come from it, and then moves to the comparison of the final haiku. Both beautiful things ending or going away only to reveal something just as beautiful. They correlate and represent each other.
a wayward traveler
slips into hot water
new moon
Feingold, ANM, 75
This haiku is the last in his book and also references the title of the book as well. It can be assumed that this is one of the more significant haiku in the book for those reasons. It embodies a serene picture, as well as displaying a similar illustration. The haiku speaks for itself in its visual, calming manner. Also though, the image next to it, with its calming yet intricate detail helps to define the haiku and speak for it in ways the author hopes to portray his work. It gives it the creativity of not one but two artists.
Throughout his book, Bruce Feingold creates his art to express hinself n in different ways. Whether he uses humor, whimsy or sorrow, he portrays human nature and connects to the natural world. The detail and simplicity he embodies in his work, along with beautiful illustrations, help allow the reader to fully appreciate his art form, or as he views it, his way of life.
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Work Cited
Feingold, Bruce. A New Moon. Winchester, VA: Red Moon Press, 2004. Print
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