New Utopia - Rich Haiku Poems With Diversity of Religious Awareness
By Joseph Spence, Sr.
The
magnificent words and symbolisms regarding the Bodhi
Tree are the foundation for the theme of this wonderful
book, New Utopia by Santosh Kumar, which is consistent
throughout its pages. The essence of the theme starts
with the Endless Helix lines by Ban'ya Natsuishi, to the
concept of End of Summer by Sayumi Kamakura, and the
illustrious words of Adam Donaldson Powell articulated
in the forward section.
The
complication of these three dynamic poetic giants sets
the stage for this excellent book of haiku. The reader
has a lot to experience with the literary movement on
the pages consisting of contemporary haiku poetry. The
interrelationship of the elements at work, and the
collective beauty of God's natural creation, are
exemplified in a grand manner between the inspirational
lines of haiku poems in this creative book. One must
read it to experience it!
The
essential spiritual theme of this book cuts across the
spectrum of religion. One is able to find a blending of
Christianity and Buddhism on its pages. Take this haiku
for example: "dove in a garden enclosed / lives in
lord's temple [Lord's Temple]: / virgin mary [Virgin
Mary]." (The haiku poem has historically been
written in lower case as the traditional style of haiku
poetry writing.) Naturally, the dove as a symbol of
peace is the descending of Christ, while John the
Baptist stands in the River Jordon. The Virgin Mary is
the mother of Christ in the Bible, and the essence of
this haiku speaks to the heart of Christians about
Christ, John the Baptist, and the Lord's Temple, which
is the Church.
One the
other hand, the Bodhi tree and Buddha reflect the years
of suffering the Buddha endures. While meditating under
the Bodhi tree, the forces of evil swarmed around and
tried their best to disrupt his meditation. One could
equate this to Christ being on the cross and the jeering
he endured from the crowd while He mediated on God.
Therefore, in this book of haiku poems, we find a
blending of Buddhism and Christianity in the figurative
language of poetry, and the literary sense by the
author.
Balancing
the middle of this contemporary journey, we find another
haiku to consider as follows: "buddha [Buddha]
suffers / christ [Christ] suffers / their life [lives]
full of crosses." Naturally, here we find a
comparative analysis of Christ and Buddha. Suffering is
reflected in their lives, their earthly journey, and the
tribulations they endured for humankind. The language of
the haiku poems and theme in this book reflect upon
religion in a spiritual and sincere way, thus emulating
the essence of Christ and Buddha in a contemporary
manner.
Finally,
with the spirituality of haiku flowing from the Bodhi
tree; linking with "imaginative bird noises within
the tree"; to "seeing an orphan child's
cheek"; then "understanding the quest of the
butterfly for nectar," really exemplify the essence
of the haiku poems in this text as uplifting and
inspiring to the soul. One must not forget the glossary
for further understanding and to look up the definition
of a word for clarification. This is an excellent haiku
book for everyone to read with joy, and to smile while
reading and obtaining a spiritual and educational
journey in haiku poetry.
