baisakhi day—
the dhol’s beats fade
into the thresher’s hum
Again a poem about the passing of an era, a way of life through cultural connotations associated with farming. ‘baishakhi day’ has tremendous significance. On the agrarian level it is associated with harvesting, with renewal and collective joy. It is also a sacred day having spiritual significance. The opening line situates us in tradition, festivities and culture before reality hits. The ‘dhol’s beats’ become a sound metaphor and the fact that these are fading tells us the story of our times. Is it loss or is it transition? The answer to the question is left for the reader to answer as per individual perceptions. ‘fade’ has a gentle melancholy which lends an endearing quality to this poem.
L3 takes us to the juxtaposition of the sound metaphor. The ‘beats’ have given way to the routine ‘hum’ of the thresher underlying a mechanical progression that was necessary. But this coming away has left us nostalgic and somewhere we do hear the beating of dhols albeit fading.
The poem encapsulates a philosophy that is agrarian and existential at the same time.
HAIKU DIALOGUE – Working with the Soil – working with the soil in a modern context commentary, January 7, 2026
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preparing soil—
the farmer’s sweat falls
without a sound
It is unsung labour again that this poem seeks to glorify, richly deserved by the quiet farmer in the act of simple living. The silence of his sweat falling is celebrated by the poet. The stage is set with the preparation of the soil. The em dash acting as kireji takes the movement from the external to the internal, to the reaction of being, the sweat, mirroring the unadorned existence of the farmer. The silence of the sweat opens a space of contemplation, gently nudging the world to sit up and notice. The farmer, the soil, the sweat take the readers into the world of Nature that is not just a landscape but a part of our reality.
As the sweat evaporates and the effort goes unrecognised the poem gently suggests impermanence. The silence at the end leaves the reader in a contemplative mood as so much remains unsaid.
HAIKU DIALOGUE – Working with the Soil – traditional soil work – commentary December 17, 2025
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attuning to the heart
beats
HAIKU DIALOGUE – Music Around the World – To enlightenment and beyond or music and the spiritual path – long list
https://thehaikufoundation.org/haiku-dialogue-music-around-the-world-to-enlightenment-and-beyond-or-music-and-the-spiritual-path-long-list/
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the refugee mother rewrites
her lullaby
Haiku Dialogue prompt– Music Around the World – Loving you with all of my tunes or let’s talk about feelings. October 30, 2025
https://thehaikufoundation.org/haiku-dialogue-music-around-the-world-loving-you-with-all-of-my-tunes-or-lets-talk-about-feelings-long-list/
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cawing breaks the ice down memory lane
HAIKU DIALOGUE – All the World’s a Stage – Break a Leg – long list
HAIKU DIALOGUE – All the World’s a Stage – Break a Leg – long list
