Carpe Diem Haiku – Bravery and pilgremage

· by · in haibun, haiku, poetry. ·


There are often two ways to reach a summit. There is the direct road, balancing on narrow ledges, overcoming the fear of precipes trusting the thin rope, and your companion’s skill. It’s a road that require bravery equipment and friends. You are dependent on the fortune of good weather and if you fail the end is near. Once up you will be celebrated as a hero, not so much for reaching the summit but for savvy and bravery. Then there is the other road, the road you can walk, the slow road where you can stop and take a good look over the abyss. You will meet the brave one at the top, and as he look at you with disdain, you smile while you tighen your belt and offer him a cup of coffee. Afterwards you both walk down in mutual respect of the mountain.

on your way down –
gentle road to safety
Edelweiss is found

Picture from Wikimedia Commons

Picture from Wikimedia Commons


Linked to Carpe Diem. Today it’s world poetry day and I thought I’d write something at least.
—
March 21, 2014

14 responses to “Carpe Diem Haiku – Bravery and pilgremage”

  2. I love that word Eldeweiss, it conjures such simple childlike joy.

    This reminds of ‘stop and smell the roses’ and all the ways you can climb and descend a mountain. Each one different from the other but perspective changing each time.

  4. This is a fantastic bit of writing, Bjorn! The interpretation here, is nuanced and layered (that is the beauty of it) – and left to the reader to decide if the goal is:

    getting to the top by the direct, dangerous route (trusting your skills, your equipment, your companion and overcoming your fear)

    getting to the top so you can be celebrated as a hero

    getting to the top, slowly, taking your time to look over the abyss

    knowing yourself well enough to choose the method best suited to yourself and your abilities to get to the top and be comfortable (even smile) with the manner in which you got there

    it’s not about getting to the top; but rather gaining respect for the mountain

    it’s not about getting to the top; but rather finding Edelweiss on the way down

    a combination (such as – if you hadn’t gotten to the top by whatever method, you wouldn’t have gained respect for the mountain)

    . . . and so on, and so on.

    This little trek up the mountain and down again is quite a fascinating (though, I suspect “work in progress”) road map through the reader’s psyche. Very thoughtful. Very insightful. And really, really very well penned. A pleasure to read.

    • I thought your comment was so interesting Wendy – a real thrill to read. I really liked how you phrased that line ”The interpretation here, is nuanced and layered (that is the beauty of it) – and left to the reader to decide…” and I agree with you very much.
      This both beautifully-written and pensive, philosophical. Note the touch of finding the eidelweiss on the way down. Very clever. There were mixes of real human attitudes, the triumphant disdain, but then philosophy to.
      A wonderful piece to read. My comment is short because many thoughts are still being thought!

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