John McDonald - Three Questions

John McDonald is a retired stonemason living in Edinburgh, Scotland. He came to haiku in the mid-nineties, falling in love with the genre. He writes:

"I write my haiku in Scots, one of the two languages native to Scotland (the other being the Celtic rooted Gaelic). I had two publications released last year, The Throu-Gaun Chiel and Tuim Tin Tassie and another set for release in 2009."

John maintains a blog at http://zenspeug.blogspot.com/.

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1) Why do you write haiku?

I don't wish to sound mystical but I don't write them as much as they find me. I will go out walking seeking some inspiration and something will impinge itself on my retina or in my subconsciousness and will not let me alone until I sit with it and a haiku is born - maybe there and then or maybe years later. The world wants to be heard and I think that's where we haijin come in - a space for that still small voice.


2) What other poetic forms do you enjoy?

I love all poetic forms, but only write haiku. I am terrifically excited by gendai haiku and any similar contemporary form although, when writing, it depends on what is required: the subject may simply want a simple statement, but when it wants an expression in surrealist terms I am thrilled.


3) Of the many wonderful haiku you've written, what do you consider to be your top three?

Like all writers I find this difficult as every poem is like a child and having favourites is difficult, but I think the best idea is to pick three that others have enjoyed.


Award winner 10th Annual Suruga Baika Literary Festival:

skreich o day —
licht muives athort
the boo o the aipple

dawn —
light moves across
the curve of the apple

(published in The Throu-Gaun Chiel)



Museum of Literature Award: Blithe Spirit:

laicher an laicher
the daffins' heids
i the weet

lower and lower
the daffodils' heads
in the rain

(published in The Throu-Gaun Chiel)



winner Haiku Ireland Kukai 1:

a skein o geese —
het
on the howe's haunle

a skein of geese —
warmth
on the hoe's handle

(published in The Throu-Gaun Chiel)


Thanks again Curtis. As a life-long fan of country blues and New Orleans jazz, it's been a thrill to have been allowed to stroll down Tobacco Road

aye John

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If you've been enjoying this weekly series and have not contributed, please consider sharing your response to the three little questions that John answered. You must be a published poet in order to participate.

Collin Barber will be our guest next week.