Is this your face that consoles me when I’m tired, that looks at me with loving eyes that give my weary soul the wings to fly out of this deep ravine, so damp and dark, where it now lives,
and is this your voice that calls me to attention, that orders me to listen, to be patient, and guides me to still waters to absorb their soothing calm,
and are these your thoughts that reach me, that teach me to understand and to accept, and is this your hand that heals the many wounds that life, unkind, has carved upon my skin?
C.2023, Francisco Bravo Cabrera, 03 APR 2023, València, España
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On the 9th of February, 2022, I published a post on my blog about a new poetic form that I had recently developed and called the «Euro-Ku» and since then I have been writing Euro-Ku in English and Spanish, and soon in Valencian. I have been thrilled by the reception the new form has received from wonderful poets/writers that I greatly admire and I would like to see more poets take the challenge and work the form. And if they are kind enough, I would greatly appreciate a mention as the inventor of the form.
The article says it all, but in synthesis I will only add that a Euro-Ku is an homage to the Japanese poem Haiku but done from a Western perspective, from a Western cultural position and experience, which can never be the same as that of the Eastern experience that created the Haiku. The Ameri-Ku, that my dear friend and incredible poet Joni Caggiano (see her work on Masticadores India and Masticadores USA as well as Spillwords) has developed, is equal to the Euro-Ku but reflects a unique American perspective, which is totally different from the European worldview.
So a Euro-Ku is a poem in three verses, without any syllabic count restriction and without needing any reference to weather or other things. However, it does require an original, unedited illustration (a photo/painting/drawing/engraving) which is the intellectual and artistic property of the author and which relates as a visual image to the written word. The three verses must be coherent, logical, flow one after the other to complete a phrase, an idea, a thought or a fancy. But the verses cannot be independent of each other or flow off into space as in Zen Haikus.
Hope you try…
Cheers…
JaZzArt en València 
Love the poem and the picture. This is the best explanation of Euro-ku I have seen to date.
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Thank you so much Pat. I tried to explain it the best I could…. glad you liked it Pat. All the best!
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Feliz Pasqua.
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Felices pascuas, lo propio Pat y gracias 😊
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Nice poem Sir.
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Thank you Sir, very much!
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Dearest Francisco, thank you so much for your gracious mention and for sharing my links. You are a brilliant artist, poet, composer, and musician, and I am still waiting for more surprises. This piece is so stunning. The artwork is magnificent. Indeed the second verse is something I work at every day, being better about hearing and seeing God all around me, for He is all around me. Second verse: «and is this your voice that calls me to attention, that orders me to listen, to be patient, and guides me to still waters to absorb their soothing calm,» how precious these words are to me. BRAVO Francisco, for not only painting a magnificent photograph of your conception of Our Father’s Face but writing such a glorious way to describe your thoughts about your questions regarding Our Lord. What a lovely post for Easter week. Many blessings. Love Joni
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Thank you so much Joni. I am very blessed to know you and I truly appreciate your kind words. Blessings and love to you both!
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You are most welcome. We feel exactly the same. You two have a wonderful Easter week. Love and blessings, Joni 🌹
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This poem is brilliant, Francis! The image drew me right in and then the words flowed beautifully. This is truly a lovely piece you’ve shared with us this Holy Week. May you continue to be blessed as you continue to be a blessing to others.
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Thank you so much Janet. Many blessings to you and yours this Holy Week and always!
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This post is a beautiful portrayal of one of the most difficult things to discern in the life of a Christian: when we perceive something, is it our own prideful perception or is it from God? I hear a lot of people say things that they say are “from God”, when it is clearly not consistent with any scripture – thus, it’s a declaration I try to avoid myself. It’s not an easy thing to do, there are entire books written on Godly/Christian discernment, so I won’t go into any detail, but your poem and picture definitely gives us a very good start. Thank you for sharing this beautiful Euro-Ku and painting.
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Thank you so much Scott for amplifying the significance and importance of listening to God and understanding that if it is from God it cannot be something that goes against God. I am very happy you liked the poem and I truly feel blessed to read your reply. Thank you and big hugs to you both.
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You have encouraged us with another exceptional example of the form you created. I promise I will get around to trying this soon. Take care, brother!
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Thank you so much Brad. I am sure you will add much to the form, both is substance and art. I will be honoured. All the best.
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Wonderful poem and form Francis! Kudos to you on the form! 💕
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Thank you so much Cindy! All the best!
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You’re so welcome Francis and to you! ❣️
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🌹🌹🌹
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Nice poem
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Thank you!
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