Sound of Silence

Why are some haikus so powerful? Maybe for the same reason diamonds are beautiful, and hydrogen can be so, well, dreadful.

Compression.

Compression is compelling. Full of invisible force. The best haikus are quiet, yet spring-loaded, capable at any moment of releasing reverberating feelings and insights, of exploding into brilliant facets of light and color, like diamonds catching the sun. Utterly still, yet full of movement.

Here are two of my favorites. I’ll follow them with…

silence.

The first was given to me by my therapist, early in our work together. I was twisted up in regrets for the past and terror of the future, and I felt responsible for all the struggles and workings of the world. This haiku was his antidote, and it has remained pinned to the bulletin board by my desk ever since:

Sitting silently
Doing nothing
Spring comes
And the grass grows by itself.

–Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)

The second haiku arrives courtesy of my dear friend, and most amazing wedding officiant, Monique de Varennes. She unearthed this as, together with Cameron and me, she crafted a beautiful, meaningful wedding ceremony. We loved it so much we included it on the front of the program:

I wondered and wondered when
she would come.
And now we are together.
What thoughts need I have?

–Ryokan Taigu (1758-1831)