Haiku #4: Ring of Rainbows

When writing the haiku in Japanese, I wanted to have double entendres. It can be interpreted differently when you hear it without knowing the way exact kanji I used. I left a number of the terms in hiragana to allow for these double meanings as well.

I wanted to convey the same ideas in the English version, but I realized that was difficult. In addition to meeting the 5-7-5 syllable structure, I have to think of what words best correspond with my message. A tsukutsukuboushi is a Japanese species of cicada (Meimuna opalifera, 蟪), but the term also refers to a reflection of rainbows (蜺). The noun wa is a ring, but the particle wa (は) translates to “is”, a conjugation of the verb “to be”. Nareru can be interpreted into different words. Nareru (成れる) means “to be able to become”. Nareru (鳴る) also means “to be able to ring or echo”. Nareru (慣れる/狎れる) can mean “to get familiar with”. Nareru (熟れる) means “to mature”.

I have the utmost respect for translators of literature. They have to be careful with words and how they are interpreted – what message they convey should reflect the original author’s intent. Here, I don’t have a clear intent. This was just for fun, and I like all the different interpretations that come with this piece.

I’d like to provide an alternative title, “The Roar and the Lion”. If you are able to figure out why, then I congratulate you for seeing what I see.

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