for a moment

the dead apple tree bears --

goldfinches

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Paul O. Williams (1935-2009). From "Frogpond," 13 (3), August 1990, The Journal of the Haiku Society of America, issue edited by Elizabeth Searle Lamb.

Reading the first line, we wonder what ephemeral happening is to be introduced in the poem. Our minds take a leap with the contrast in the second line caused by the introduction of a dead tree -- what could be less ephemeral?! When we reach the end of the second line we are surprised by the seemingly magical happening of a dead tree once again bearing what we imagine will be apples. Then the single word of the third line crystallizes the disparate elements of the first two lines as the goldfinch flock lands on the bare branches with an explosion of wings, only to almost immediately take off again. By using "goldfinches" instead of "finches" or "songbirds" we imagine the apple tree must have borne golden apples rather than red, while the "gold" also instils feelings of celebration.

Selected and commented on by Dhugal J. Lindsay

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Pique your poetic interest with more Haiku in English here.