This is an attempt at doing a video haiku, basically using Dave Bonta’s approach, which I really like. In this case, it’s almost documentary. It’s from my day in Central Park last week. One thing I noticed while birding in The Ramble was that whenever I stopped for a few minutes and just watched, the ground started to move with squirrels, sparrows, and all sorts of other critters. To see it, I had to stop. I tried to capture a little bit of it on video and the haiku came from notes I wrote at the time. Sitting and watching (or in this case, standing and watching) and that quiet openness to experience that ensues is the essence of both birding and haiku. At least for me. I don’t know if this video captures any of that, but it at least documents the process.
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
Yay, a new James Brush videopoem! My plan is working. 🙂 Sound is really integral to the success of this one, isn’t it? It’s what convinces the viewer that things are happening, albeit off-screen at first.
As I’ve probably mentioned, the idea of putting the haiku at the end of a contemplative shot didn’t originate with me. I first saw it in this videopoem of a haiku by Ryokan.
Thanks, Dave. I have two others in the works; I just need to find the time now to sit down and finish them.
Thanks for the links to those. I’ll check them out.
At risk of pointing out the obvious, what’s neat about this style of videopoetry is the way it lets the viewer vicariously participate in the realization(s) that led to the poem. Of course, haiku are uniquely well-suited to that, but I have seen some other videopoems that managed a similar trick, for example this one.
you’re so right, sitting and watching are vital for both birding and haiku. This is a lovely video,
Thanks, Juliet.
pacing really adds to this, i think. the video allows the reader the “white space” to step into the scene, sit down and relax.
really nice haiku, btw.
Thanks, Sherry!