Essays, Art and Plays by Dan

https://thehaikufoundation.org/book-of-the-week-blue-balloon-by-grant-caldwell/

Grant Caldwell’s blue balloon blends Zen principles with urban imagery to create poems that feel both timeless and distinctly modern. At the heart of blue balloon is Caldwell’s ability to magnify ordinary scenes and transform them into windows of universal truth.

Caldwell’s haiku and senryu blend reverence for tradition with a distinct personal voice, creating layers of meaning. The following poems highlight his techniques and thematic concerns:

reading in bed—
two of me in the window
lit by the lamp 

The poet’s reflection in the window is both literal and metaphorical, inviting readers to contemplate the layers of selfhood. Caldwell’s deft use of humor and introspection exemplifies his ability to engage with profound themes in an accessible way.

at my father’s funeral—  
my stepmother’s sons 
carry the coffin

The stark brevity of this haiku heightens its emotional impact. Each word is weighted with significance, capturing grief, familial complexities, and ritual in a moment of quiet tension.

spring hailstorm—  
I got one, says a boy  
holding a melting stone 

This poem juxtaposes childhood wonder with nature’s impermanence. The melting hailstone becomes a poignant symbol of fleeting joy. Through this small moment, Caldwell reminds readers of the fleeting beauty that lies at the heart of haiku.

Caldwell invites readers to pause and rediscover the beauty of ordinary moments. His haiku and senryu, while rooted in the practices of Bashō, Buson, and Issa, speak with a distinctly contemporary voice, reflecting the rhythms of modern life

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You can read the entire book in the THF Digital Library. Please share your favorite poem from the book with us.