Carpe Diem Writing Techniques #7

Wabi-Sabi Continued

So the essence is simple ego-free humility coupled with the authenticity that comes of noble aging.

At some visceral level, I think I get it.  Perhaps being deep into my 7th decade helps.

Kristjaan maintains that this is also the essence of haiku.

Examples

the morning's snow
i can chew dried salmon
alone

© Basho

in the backyard
of my ancestor's mansion
roses still bloom

© Chèvrefeuille

~~::~~

What I do not see in either of these - nor in many other fine haiku - is a moment as short as the sound of a pebble thrown in water.  Surely one cannot chew dried salmon in that quick manner.  So - what you may have is an extended moment, but one that is imbued with some special characteristics that might even suggest a deeper meaning.

In the second example we have the antithesis of a brief moment - something that is in fact timeless.  I think that is wonderful.

And that it, too, hints at wabi-sabi.

in these old pictures

you and i were so young

and now this moment

~~:~~

It also reminds me of this sculpture by Rodin.  It was mentioned in passing in a Robert Heinline novel I read decades ago, and was delighted to find the relevant passage - and a picture of the subject sculpture here.   For some reason this passage stayed with me over the long years.  I'm not sure Jubel Harshaw's exposition on the sculpture quite gets at wabi-sabi, but it at least hits the right corner of the universe.

~~:~~

Getting rid of ego is something I struggle with.   Playing the trombone is humbling - but still.  For the past year or so I've been doing something I haven't done since high school - practicing semi-diligently, specifically with the goal of developing a more extensive, secure and reliable high register.   I may be giving in to ego, but I want to share with you a moment from last month where I performed one of the iconic trombone songs from the swing era. An old man, old horn, and old song coming together - a bit of sabi, perhaps.   It's not perfect, but a year ago, I wouldn't have thought this possible.

King 2B Silversonic - A gift from my father in 1963

my old king trombone

it’s finish spotted with age

still hits the high notes

 ~:~