Mother’s Day, 14 May 2017, has come and gone. It is beautiful how mothers give unconditional love to their children and most children return that love unconditionally. Mother is the doctor, teacher, nurse, cook, referee, heroine, provider, housekeeper, defender, disciplinarian - the real Superwoman. Wear your cape proudly, dear mother. A lot has been written about mothers dating back to the Greeks and Romans. Julia Ward Howe brought attention to mothers’ contribution to society in 1870 but she did not have the vision of a day like today’s Mother’s Day. The woman who had the vision, the strength, the energy, the determination and the tenaciousness was Anna Jarvis. On 8 May 1914 Congress passed a law declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. On the next day President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the first Mother’s Day. The proclamation is copied at the end of this blog. Jarvis’ relentless effort had reached a successful conclusion. But that is not the end of the story. To get to the end, we should start at the beginning. Anna Jarvis’ mother, Anna Reeves Jarvis, was a tireless advocate for women’s rights. She was a peace advocate and cared for solders on both sides of the civil war. She created Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. When she died in 1905, her daughter, Anna, wanted to continue her work and establish a day to honor all mothers because she believed that there was no greater service to humanity than that of mothers. She chose the second Sunday in May because it was near the day her mother died. She became relentless in writing letters to governors to persuade them to declare that day as Mother’s Day. She wrote to President Theodore Roosevelt, prominent people, congressmen, anyone she thought could help with the cause. So, finally, on 8 May 1914 her dream came true. But she quickly became disillusioned by the crass commercialism that soon overwhelmed the Day. She spent decades attacking this commercialism any way that she could. She even went so far as to trademark Mother’s Day phrases. So, Anna’s life’s passion had two phases. The successful phase, creating Mother’s Day, taking aboubt nine years. The second and unsuccessful phase, taking over thirty years, was a war against the commercialism of Mother’s Day. In the 1940s with her resources dwindling, her eyesight fading, her general health ebbing, friends and associates put her in a sanitarium in West Chester PA where she died on 24 November 1948. She was no match for MassMarketAmerica. However, I think most of us overlook the crass commercialism of Mother’s Day and celebrate it just the way Anna Jarvis envisioned it.
I have always been curious as to the status mother had in our ancient, prehistoric society - when we were in the hunter - gatherer period. In the period before man knew that he had something to do with the creation of a new member of the clan. Even though she doesn’t get equal pay for equal work these days, we do hold mom in great esteem and her view of us is very important. When Warren Buffet was asked what advice he gave the presidents of the many companies he owns regarding ethics and morality in business decisions, he replied “I tell them to imagine that their mother would see their decision in the newspaper the next day.”
Every year at this time our local newspaper, Reno Gazette - Journal, gives participants the opportunity to post in the newspaper a “haiku” to their mother. Those who wish to participate in the event are encouraged to submit their haikus to the RGJ and many of them are printed in the Mother’s Day edition. A haiku is a form of poetry developed by the Japanese. The poems are three lines with a 5 - 7 - 5 syllable structure. In Japan they are usually inspired by nature. The form has been adopted and adapted by virtually every modern language. They are often inspired by nature, a moment of beauty, a poignant experience, etc. Japanese poets traditionally used haiku to capture a fleeting natural image or experience. Many Japanese people go for nature walks to find new poetry inspiration, and these walks are called ginko walks. Ginko is the Japanese word for bank. Get it? No? Well they are going to the bank seeking treasure. In this case the treasure is the new haiku. The Japanese language is very colorful in this regard, as well as very imprecise. Perhaps the most famous Japanese haiku is by Matsuo Basho. Furuike ya Translation: The old pond Kawazu tobikomu a frog jumps in Mizu no oto sound of water
Of course the translation does not follow the traditional structure. An example of the structure in English: very deep pow-der snow 5 a sum-mer eve-ning its deep blue sky all a-round 7 a mos-qui-to comes my way my skis make no sound 5 wham, I’m at peace again
Here are some examples from our Mother’s Day RGJ edition: Mom you are the best You shine like a diamond you are my flower Jeriah, 5th grader
You are the best mom you mean the world to me, mom Happy Mother’s Day Faithlynn, 5th grader
In good times and bad my mother’s love was constant she is my hero Julie Gourley
My mom, my soulmate I treasure the memories Always in my heart Julie Gourley
Always there for me she loved me like no other showed me how to love Karen Rosselli
Doctor, cook, teacher hug to give, ear to listen there’s no one like mom James Umbach
Through joy and laughter heartache, tears - a mother’s love unconditional Ruth VanDyke
Cancer took my mom missing you on Mother’s Day love you forever Franke Weintz
Somebody’s mother all alone and sad today a phone call away Ruth VanDyke
I will pen one myself: Her name was Mary yes, she was quite contrary we loved her anyhow
Here are a few for fun: Adopt a highway It seemed simple enough Then the tourists came by Vince Nobrega
Sausage, bacon, eggs mushrooms, tomatoes, green tea Atkins breakfast joy by Paul Trafferd
Football is my game don’t call me on Sat or Sun TV addiction
This year down the drain where did the one before go next year I’ll do it
It’s John three sixteen that’s the plan for all of us better get on board
To eat, not to eat it is a nice red apple just one little worm
To make a great stew take a limerick or two mix well with haiku
Rain, rain, go away boots leak, umbrella kaput can’t stand here all day
Bikini summer my glasses and walker, please I’ll take a good look Apple of my eye Joanne had the sweetest smile for another guy
A very loud noise started ringing from my clock who will fix breakfast
They said golden years can’t dance, can’t hear, cannot see did they pass me by
Pepperoni is ready add that to lots of cheese bits pizza is my dish
Electricity can make your hair stand on end warden told me so
You ask for my plan well, think I will save the world when I finish my beer
Basketball is fine college game has the spirit pros have the money
What do we know now baby steps forward we go where does this take us
A gentle snowfall covering everything no sound can be heard
Here’s my adaptation of Basho’s haiku to English while retaining the 5-7-5 structure:
The pond, still water A frog leaps into the air The sound of water
This precise and simple method of expression reminds me of another example of the beauty and art of brevity in expression. And that is the writer’s task of telling a story in six words. The origin or the time of origin of this art is not clear. One of the most famous is often attributed to Ernest Hemingway, however it cannot be authenticated: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” Perhaps the oldest is attributed to Julius Caesar when he was a Roman general. He sent a letter to the Roman Senate in 47 BC reporting a quick victory against Pharnaces II of Pontus at the Battle of Zela: “I came. I saw. I conquered.” Of course in the original Latin it is: Veni. Vidi. Vici. I can sadly pen one regarding contemporary life where millions of people die needlessly every year. I suppose you could say by a horrible suicide: I smoked, I suffered, I died. And a horrible suffering it can be.
Here are a few others: Wrong number says a familiar voice. You’re not a good artist, Adolph Torched the haystack, found the needle. Strangers. Friends. Best friends. Lovers. Strangers. Painfully he changes is to was. Born a twin, graduated only child. We’re lying in bed. She’s lying. Sorry soldier, shoes sold in pairs. I’m beside myself. Cloning machine works. Reading for Dummies. Somehow never sold. Home early? Whose car is that? We were. And then we weren’t. You win some. You lose some. Nothing to declare. Much to remember. Three blind mice. Cat had lunch. An only son. A folded flag. Alzheimer’s advantage: new friends every day. Logged out. Pulled plug. Found life. Passengers, this isn’t your captain speaking. Being offended doesn't make you right. Left handed woman seeks Mr. Right. What’s your return policy on rings? Goodby mission control. Thanks for trying. Eventually we all face the storm. He loved, she didn’t. How typical. She loved, he didn’t. Still typical. Used vice grip. Now in hot water. THC, LSD, DUI, CPR, DOA, RIP. Wind blows. Sails fill. Journey begins.
I’ll close by returning to the haiku, 5-7-5. Remember? I salute two family members who are going to Europe for the month of June, 2017. Mikonos, Skyros Going to the Greek islands London and Paris, too
Try writing both a ‘haiku’ and a ‘six word story.’ Put your imagination and your creativity to work. You’ll enjoy it. It’ll be fun. I guarantee it.