Ikebana Moon

Ikebana Moon (Haiku-style poems)by Khin Aung Aye

Translated by Thi Ha Thu

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Khin Aung Aye

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Ikebana Moon

-- () ( /) e-book e-book -

Khin Aung Aye

Prologue for Ikebana Moon Without any special intention, on April 25 night I wrote Haiku-style poems. In one sitting, the same night. I used Haiku-style because I dare not to say the poems are Haikus. I followed 5-7-5 format almost exactly (except for some). I didnt use Season-al symbols in most of them. Japanese language and Myanmar language are different. But I tried to keep the essence: short-but-effective and food-for-thought (lead the reader to further imagination) of Haiku. And I experimented with contemporary poetry writing methods as well. After the poems were fi nished, I didnt do anything about them. But one day, out of the blue, I wanted to make an e-book and reached out to Tin Min Htet. Without hesitating, he agreed to help create an e-book. At the same time, I asked Thi Ha Thu if he could do the translation and I didnt have to ask twice, he also agreed and now the Ikebana Moon e-book is in your hands. Thus, please thank to both of them.

May you all be satisfi ed and happy from reading the poems. Khin Aung Aye5 May 2015, Phra Pradaeng, Bangkok 18:52

Ikebana Moon

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1The lips of the night

Rubbed by the coo of the doveMoon, Ikebana.

Khin Aung Aye

2Seen in minute details

Through the full grown green leavesPassionate Gita.

Ikebana Moon

3The towel being hung on

It is the colour of straweberryStill longing for.

Khin Aung Aye

4In the deep deep forest

The departing lights are radiatingI am unable to see.

Ikebana Moon

5At the cemetery

The smell of burning joss sticksPaying respect to long gone grandparents.

Khin Aung Aye

6The roof sunshade

The dripping sound of waterDeluded with rain.

Ikebana Moon

7Inside the yellow coloured soap holder

The small white pieceScrubbing hard the dirt.

Khin Aung Aye

8Step backward inch by inchIn the rays of departing sun

Together is the yearning.

Ikebana Moon

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9Unfold the map

Start from which step?The journey of ageing.

Khin Aung Aye

10Tick-tock of the clock

Pushing all the wayTowards the cliff.

Ikebana Moon

11Flowers and butterfl ies

Perfect with their beautyUseless me.

Khin Aung Aye

12Along the staircase

The holes of mistakeI slipped.

Ikebana Moon

13The invisible rope;

The strongest of allIs tying me.

Khin Aung Aye

14On the Thanak* Kyauk Pyin**

Grinding the bundles of dried herbsOnly to cure pimples.

* Thanaka is a yellowish-white cosmetic paste made from ground bark** Kyauk Pyin is a circular stone slab which has a channel round the im for

the water to drain into and Thanaka cream is made by grinding the bark of a thanaka tree with a small amount of water.

Ikebana Moon

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15Like a calf

Would like to hug tightlyMother and son, both are old...

Khin Aung Aye

16No longer young any more

Wants to receive a warm welcomeLearning to write some poetry.

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17A star in the sky

But inside my handkerchiefMuch more stars.

Khin Aung Aye

18The scent of the storm

March of the ants on the wallHide the sugar dispenser.

Ikebana Moon

19Impetuous passion of human being

Seen along the river bank; mont-lay-pway*Think about it.

*mont-lay-pway: burmese rice crispy

Khin Aung Aye

20Shwe Late Pyar Anyein,*

Win Win Aye, lead dancer from Saung Anyein,Webs of our age.

*Anyein: non-dramatic performance where a female artistedances and sings to the accompaniment of light music and is

usually supported by comedians.

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21Under the dead bodyThe scent of marrow

Contrition all over the place.

Khin Aung Aye

22In tranquility

Mind is hard to dwell inTroubled human being.

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23Till the hands go numb

Press hard and writeGazing hopelessly.

Khin Aung Aye

24Secret of the still water

Corrodes the centrepointFundamental error.

Ikebana Moon

25Sitting with the back straight

Being in the mindfulness stateBody and Mind; the universe.

Khin Aung Aye

26An ambulance passed

With the loud sirensWriting poetry; uninterrupted.

Ikebana Moon

27Orange and appleDifferent identities

Inconvenience for me.

Khin Aung Aye