Review: Haiku: `An ability to be read in one breath, a sense of sudden enlightenment and illumination'
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 26, 2014
The course of the vey handsome poet Julian Angelov's journey speaks directly to the universality of his imagery and appreciation of the miracle of brevity of haiku poetry. Born in Bulgaria, he has studied philosophy and Japanese languages in Paris, moved to Italy and on to Greece. He has been at the hub points of civilization and that infusion of timelessness and history blend in the manner in which he writes his haiku poems. His poems (3 lines, seventeen syllables, in a 5/7/5 syllable count) are apparently inspired by the poetry of Ono No Komachi (825 - 900 AD) - in turn, erotic love themes. Examples of Angelov's poems follow:In our weaknessesis hidden all our strengthswe must discoverLove from distancethe wind blows in the embersthey inflame or dieIt rains at nightflooded by memoriesI swim to youLove me awaygrateful for being approachedby you, that I love.When love beginsmy heart is like rich skythat wears starsAngelov captures the eloquence and the anticipation of Komachi's plight, but the language is his own - and elegant and simple It is, lifting our thoughts like birds in flight. These poems bear reading repeatedly as each moment with them reinforces the gift of the poet. Grady Harp, April 14