Boketto- an explanation...
'A few years back, I came across a concept called boketto. Boketto is a Japanese word that really doesn’t translate into English very well. But, the idea of boketto is akin to staring at the sky or into the distance without a thought… getting lost in one’s own self; removing the self from a place mentally. There is no regard to the past and no connection to the future. There is only THIS moment.'
Walter J Wojtanik inventor of the boketto
The boketto consists of TWO stanzas,
one of five lines (30syllables – 7, 7, 7, 4, 5)
and a three-line stanza (17 syllables – two seven syllable lines and a three-syllable line. Rhyme is not required.
The subject is strictly arbitrary: It expresses a single moment in time!
My boketto attempts to capture a small moment witnessed in a classroom, recently.
The Young Writer Approaches
Entering the room, smiling
Jade holds up her writing piece
A smile owns all her face
She beams broadly
The teacher grins back.
Initiative in spades
The young writer impatiently
Waits to share.
Alan j Wright
It is Poetry Friday and this week our host is Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at The Poem Farm. Amy's post is about new beginnings, writing poems and collecting stones, Amy makes an important connection between these things.
I like "Initiative in spades." It was always a fantastic moment when a young writer was excited to share...and usually it only took one to spark the rest!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Mary Lee. Those learning moments are quite special. Enthusiasm overflows.
DeleteAlan, what an interesting form! I had not heard of boketto poems. Thank you for the education and the excellent mentor example.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tracey. My pleasure to introduce this poetry form.
DeleteInteresting form, seems that also a learning that MUCH can be observed if we only stop to consider. Conversely, a lot is probably missed. You packed a lot into yours, Alan, that one moment.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda for your response and the wisdom you share.
DeleteI'm intrigued to find so much to say about one single moment...and yet, isn't that what we crave? Finding words to wrap around those moments so few and far between when we escape ourselves... I love that your moment found you through a young child.
ReplyDeleteThinking beyond ourselves and appreciating fully the simple pleasure of taking in a moment is something we owe ourselves. Thank you Patricia for your astute observations.
Delete'A smile owns all her face' - what a perfect line to describe a smile that is all-encompassing. I can see it so clearly. I had never heard of a boketto. I love Japanese poetry forms because they're always so mindful, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI was pretty happy with that line, Lou. It took a bit of trial and error. You are spot on regarding Japanese poetry forms embracing mindfulness.
DeleteAlan, what I like about your blog is that you introduce us to so many new formats and add your own poem. I have never heard of a boketto but liken it to what I have been striving for: just "being" in the moment. I shall enter this poem into format into my "try it out" poetry notebook with this info: "get lost in my own self; remove the self from a place mentally with no regard to the past and no connection to the future. There is only THIS moment."
ReplyDeleteWell, thank you Carol. You are most kind in your remarks. I wish you every success as you explore Boketto poetry.
DeleteLove the turn in your poem in the second stanza-you can feel the welling up of emotion. Thanks for sharing this new form Alan!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. I think the Boketto structure allows the poet to embrace the potential for changing things a bit in the ssecond stanza. Glad you enjoyed this new form.
DeleteI love it when kids are willing to share their writing!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I stopped by today. While the boketto is new to me, the experience of the young writer is not. You captured the joy of a proud young writer so well, especially with the words "a smile owns all her face." I love the idea of capturing the moment without regard to what came before or what might come after. Now I want to try it out!
ReplyDelete"A smile owns all her face." Wow...perfection.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of a boketto before, and not only do I love the idea, but I also love the word. Thank you, friend. Enjoy your teaching days. They are truly gifts. xo, a.