(We live as the hours that surround us die)
Time passes through our tranquil sea and we grow older, and love is no longer the wave that lifted us to the sky, it’s now the comforting warmth of the waters that surrounds us as we try,
with each word, with each wink, from tired eyes, and worn out speech, to brighten and enlarge those little rays of sun from years ago that time has stolen as she flies,
and everything we feel has changed, and what was once pure passion is now a distant thought because years ago to touch your hand, to steal a kiss…
C.2023, Francisco Bravo Cabrera, 04 JUN 2023, Valencia, Spain
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The Euro-Ku I developed (or invented) on the 2nd of February 2022 to try to create, with my Western, European mind, the nuances and the strength that lies within the traditional Japanese Haiku. I took this route because I can, in no way, even begin to think like an Oriental. Our life experiences are different as is our culture and our history. Therefore, to honour this poetic form I had to make it fit the Western mindset.
I decided that the three verse structure was ideal because it required using the power of synthesis, but instead of a strict syllabic count, I would make my verses flow and ebb as long as needed. And they must flow into each other concisely and coherently, one building on the other but without ideas or words that just float away.
And the poem must be accompanied by the poet’s own illustration, photograph or painting. However, it must be the property of the poet and unedited.
That is all it takes to write a Euro-Ku. If you are from the American continent (meaning North, Central and South America) you might want to apply these guidelines and create your own Ameri-Ku based upon your history, culture and experience.
Cheers…
JaZzArt en València 