Recently Rachel Sutcliff died. She was a consummate artist of haiku. She was a member of the British Haiku society and often featured on Frank Tassone’s site about Haijin and writing of haibun, tanka, haiku. She suffered from an immune deficiency disorder and died a little every day. Her voice will be missed.
Tribute: Rachel Sutcliffe
bitter winter day –
the sun comes out briefly.
pond ice melts slowly.
coalblack
Jan 31, 2019 @ 15:47:18
Sadly beautiful and clearly sloth-approved, fren.
kanzensakura
Jan 31, 2019 @ 16:18:34
Thank you fren
Frank J. Tassone
Jan 31, 2019 @ 17:44:59
A poignant tribute, Toni! How would you like to include it in my #haikai challenge for this week? It’s a commemoration of Rachel’s work.
kanzensakura
Jan 31, 2019 @ 18:02:32
Yes. Sounds good to me
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Frank J. Tassone
Jan 31, 2019 @ 18:46:56
Great! Don’t forget to add your link to the challenge’s Mister Linky! 😉
Frank J. Tassone
Jan 31, 2019 @ 17:45:24
poignant
Frank J. Tassone
Jan 31, 2019 @ 17:46:29
Whoops: I thought I misspelled poignant! 🙂
kanzensakura
Jan 31, 2019 @ 18:04:53
Yeah. That word frequently makes my brain buzz
Frank J. Tassone
Jan 31, 2019 @ 17:47:12
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #7: Toni Spencer’s latest haiku offers a tribute to Rachel Sutcliffe!
Sherry Marr
Feb 01, 2019 @ 00:09:39
Yikes, i am worried she died of an autoimmune disorder, as i struggle with it daily. Your haiku is exquisite.
kanzensakura
Feb 01, 2019 @ 13:02:42
There is enough to worry about in these days Sherry and many different types of Autoimmune disorders. My husband has one. Rachel had a very disruptive and debilitating one. Keep enjoying your life and doing all the good and lovely things you do. You are a remarkable person and the way you love this earth its people, creatures, and the fauna show your inner heart.
sanaarizvi
Feb 01, 2019 @ 04:25:55
May her soul rest in peace 😥 amen. An evocative write, Toni ❤
Kerry
Feb 01, 2019 @ 08:13:24
I am so pleased you took this opportunity to pay tribute to a poet whose work has spoken to you so meaningfully.
kanzensakura
Feb 01, 2019 @ 13:49:13
Thank you Kerry. She was a dear person and one of the best writers (modern and non-Japanese) I have encountered in all of my years.
annell4
Feb 01, 2019 @ 09:16:38
Beautiful!!
Susie Clevenger
Feb 01, 2019 @ 12:27:16
It has been so long since I’ve written a haiku.. Too long..The beauty of this one reminds me of the power of the form.
kanzensakura
Feb 01, 2019 @ 13:47:53
Thank you. I have been writing haiku for 50+ years, long before they became popular on the internet. I love writing the classic style. I have decided to go back to my Japanese roots and to begin writing more succinct and brief works, choosing my words judiciously. You and Shay both have a wonderful contemporary style. So mjany people just rattle on and on. 🙂
Jim
Feb 02, 2019 @ 01:04:49
A fine tribute, Toni. The poets we get familiar with over media and print become like friends of the family. I just had my six-months cardio checkup involving several very expensive tests. Doctors have been saving my life now for eighteen years. I too like the old 17 syllable Haiku form though mine technically are Senryū because not seasonal nor rooted in nature. Keep up your good work.
..
anmol(alias HA)
Feb 02, 2019 @ 02:50:49
Oh, the contrast between that sun and the pond ice and how the former makes the latter melt slowly make for an exquisite and ponderous image.
It’s a beautiful tribute!
kim881
Feb 02, 2019 @ 13:29:31
A poignant tribute to Rachel – the ice melts slowly in the way she faded from the world.