NANO ZEN » Poetry

Seeking Silence

Anthony Howe — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:48:38 +0000

I’ve been rather quiet of late. Still going through one of those information overload and reclusive periods where I just turn off instant messaging clients, twitter, put off reading email, and ignore the telephones. This of course means I’ve been less than inspired in my writings. Wouldn’t call it depressed so much as seeking silence.

I really should consider a get-away to the mountains with fresh cool air, pine trees, chilly lakes and streams, less than 10 people per square kilometre, and where the only Internet access is TCP/IP by Carrier Pigeon. Some place like Evian-les-Bains, France; Sweden; northern Quebec; or maybe Cicely, Alaska.

Cannes is a smallish city compared to Nice 35 Km away, but when the film festival and summer high season comes about, the place just swells with tourists that have a tendency to leave their brains at home. Oh hum.

Thankfully, I have a road trip to England to visit friends beginning of August. Hope it rains the whole time I’m there. Yes I’m tad odd.

Konohana’s Embrace

Anthony Howe — Wed, 12 May 2010 09:44:46 +0000

As often seen in my haiku, I’m very fond of Eos, the Greek Goddess of Dawn and Selene, Greek Goddess of the Moon. The dawn and the moon are powerful moments and symbols, constants in our lives.

I love the early dawn, with its changing hues from deep navy blues, purples, reds, orange, to bright light. I like to walk and/or run early to feel this moment. It is a shame that most of the world are still silent and fail to experience this beauty. Mind you the silence of dawn is one of the draws for me to rise early and go forth before others despoil it.

Similarly with the moon, it is a strong symbol in many mythos. For myself, having travelled and lived overseas from family and friends, the Moon for me as a teen became a messenger to whom I could voice a thought of affection to give to loved ones living far away. Late night or early morning walks with Baka often accord many wonderful sights of Selene’s visage.

Now I welcome a new goddess to worship and praise in verse, Konohana in Japan is The Blossom Princess, Goddess of Spring. I hope to voice many a haiku in tribute, though the blooms of mimosas, wisteria, judas tress have now past, leaving only the jasmine. I think she and I will become good friends.

Eos moans

Anthony Howe — Sat, 08 May 2010 08:38:24 +0000

April was a so-so month for inspiration, despite the onset of spring. Normally with spring comes a plethora of thoughts, ideas, and emotions that serve as a well spring of muse. Even my presence on twitter has been muted. I suppose I’m just going through one of those over-saturated phases with regards to computers and communication (or maybe its global warming). This happens I find every so often. I suppose it comes from a professional life behind a computer, in addition to using it for communication, games, radio, music, news, and films.

I really should get out more.

Daylight Savings Time (again)

Anthony Howe — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 11:13:31 +0000

Its that time of year again when many of nations switch to Daylight Saving Time. The idea being that summer evenings will have more day light. Personally I prefer more light in the mornings, since I tend to be a morning personal and get a lot more done in the morning. I detest afternoons, just can’t concentrate. About the best I can do is either have a siesta or play a computer game to take my mind off the day.

Some of the haiku I wrote this week were tagged #haiku #humour #yoda and they were an amusing attempt at writing haiku as the character Yoda from Stars Wars might do, with his odd endearing manner of speaking and succinct wisdom.

In The Snow

Anthony Howe — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:58:31 +0000

I really should have posted these back when we had a second rare snowfall in Cannes back in February. I guess I was hoping there might be a third occurrence to wrap up the winter, but unfortunately no joy. Still I wanted to archive these as they’re so pretty.

Eos’ Brisk Breath

Anthony Howe — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:57:17 +0000

Cadence of Stars

Anthony Howe — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:17:25 +0000

Eerie Whistles By Night

Anthony Howe — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:33:43 +0000

Rhythm of Silence

Anthony Howe — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 09:13:34 +0000

For A Poet

Anthony Howe — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:42:19 +0000

Henry Gibson was an original cast member of Laugh-In where he played the Poet and would recite his own original work. I remember watching the show as a small boy in the evenings.

Before Daily Life

Anthony Howe — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 13:10:22 +0000

Well it has been a while since I archived my haiku (and other favourites) I’ve posted to Twitter. I have a back-log of 6 pages (20 tweets per page) dating back to Sep. 2009. That’s a lot of haiku. Thankfully I’ve automated the process a little … I am a programmer after all.

Cloudy Waifs

Anthony Howe — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:21:48 +0000

Oh hum. Been sitting on this haiku archive post for a while now. I had thought I might add to it before posting it, but I’ve been preoccupied with other day to day activities, and one of those times in the year when the mind seeks to take a break from computers and the Internet. Not to say I haven’t been online, just not my usual chatty self. Not to worry. Shouldn’t be too long before I get an itch to scratch.

Flutter of Petals

Anthony Howe — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:41:03 +0000

Atsui O-Cha

Within The Mist

Anthony Howe — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:11:28 +0000

Nature’s Pastel

Anthony Howe — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 10:12:51 +0000

The August summer heat and humidity in Cannes is always difficult for me. Lots of tourists, half of which seem to leave their brains at home. Combine that with all the noise from summer renovations (first there was a new real estate agent across the road, followed by a tanning salon that went on and on, and finally an apartment downstairs). Everyone likes to think summer is the time for wonderful warm and peaceful vacations, yet for myself peace and tranquillity come in the autumn and winter months; when people resume the rhythm of their day-to-day lives.

Still, Cannes does have many a calm moment: sitting in cafés drinking tea or wine watching the world go by; walking along the Croisette in the early mornings or late evenings; just being at home watching the sun set over the Estérel hills.