13/12/2023
Cafe Haiku is now open for another submissions call, on the vast subject of the elements of nature. After the Feast of the Senses recieved such a great response and some wonderful work, here is another long call waiting for you.
Theme – the five Elements of earth, water, fire, air and space
Deadline – All through December 2023 and open till 15th January 2024
Please read the detailed guidelines on the Submissions page before submitting.
The elements covers a very vast range for your work. Send us upto 5 haiku or 5 haiga, upto 3 haibun or 3 tanka. Any traditional form is welcome but do not send us anything with irregular spacing such as not left justified etc.
The ancients believed that every part of the universe consisted of individual elements. They are five – earth, water, fire, air and space. In India these are Prithvi, Apas, Agni, Vayu and Akash. Everything is composed of the five elements. The ancient texts describe it this way – from the soul or spirit akash/space ether is born and its quaality is sound. From space the wind, Vayu is born and it’s quality is touch and from Vayu comes Agni, the fire whose quality is sight. From fire comes water whose quality is taste and from water the earth which rules smell. The earth provides food and so the cycle of life continues.
If you prefer you can chose to go with the Chinese tradition which differs a little – water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Water nourishes Wood which feeds Fire which provides Earth with ash from which Metal is extracted, which in turn forms the receptacle for collecting Water.
In both systems, the Indian and the later Chinese, every single aspect from personality, health and behaviour to diet and traditional treatment principles to the very directions is classified as per elemental theory. The elements also apply to our lives today in more ways that one can count.
From the warmth of your fireplace to the starriest of skies to baby’s first bath, Cafe Haiku invites you to share your deepest haikai experiences on the subject of elements.
Go ahead and be creative. Avoid clichès, write surprising, unusual work and send us your very best. Happy writing!
Cafe Haiku is now open for another submissions call, on the vast subject of the elements of nature. After the Feast of the Senses recieved such a great response and some wonderful work, here is ano…
