K. Ramesh in Tamil Nadu, recently sent me a digital copy of his new haiku and haibun collection, Spinning Pinwheels, which includes both new material and selections from his previous books. It was published by Red River in New Delhi, the same publisher as gave us Geethanjali Rajan’s earlier collection, Longing for sun, longing for rain. Ramesh’s book is characterized by a razor-sharp, clear perception of what is truly significant.
the train arrives …
raindrops from
another town
owner’s tree . . .
for the tenant upstairs
a view of blossoms
hill station tea shop . . .
I listen to another
elephant story
Ramesh teaches physics at Pathashaala, a Krishnamurti Foundation school located near Chengelpet, Tamil Nadu, and has contributed in the past to Icebox. The imagery in the book is the India of today: age-old, wise, rural, urban, restful, patient, dynamic …
sound of a coin . . .
the gypsy’s monkey
looks into the bowl
the silence
as we drink the morning tea . . .
mother’s wrinkled hands
sugarcane harvest . . .
every boy in the village
gets a piece to chew
This second haiku was one of the very few containing a break after line two, rather than after line one. Consequently, for better or for worse, one gets into a sort of groove while reading them.
The haibun section of the book is very short, but I particularly enjoyed the last one, On the Road, recounting his early Western literary and artistic experiences and influences. The book ends with a lovely black-and-white picture of the author in profile wearing a broad woven straw sunhat.
I once had the pleasure to meet Ramesh and compose with him in his native place, one of the most truly civilized parts of planet Earth. I hope very much to do so again.
everyone asleep . . .
sun rays on a violin
hanging on the wall
vendor on the beach—
from hand to hand
a spinning pinwheel
starlit sky …
I touch a turtle
before it enters the sea
I felt the presence and the warmth of human hands throughout the book… and I now press my own hands together in salute. All-in-all, excellent work; inspiring! ISBN 978-93-48111-75-3.
Icebox 