1. Introduce yourself (include any previous writing experience if any)?
Introductions are clumsy things. I understand the need for them but I can’t help but feel like a badly decorated Christmas tree assorted with labels that rest uneasily on my shoulders. I’m the husband to an incredibly brilliant woman and a father to a beautiful three-year-old son. Later this month, I’ll become the father of a little baby girl, too. I am 41 years old and currently live near Cape Town, South Africa. I work as a software developer for a company in Canada and I hope – once Covid-19 is a bit more subdued – to be joining their company in British Columbia. Before returning to South Africa, my wife and I spent 6 years living in Mie Prefecture, Japan. In fact, our son was “Made in Japan”. I also consider myself to be the world’s worst minimalist.
I have little-to-none writing experience but I find writing cathartic and have often threatened to write more. Then, near the end of last year, I started playing a video game called Ghost of Tsushima. Haiku featured as an element in the game and I thought to myself, “17 syllables. That sounds like a minimalist writing style that I can commit to.” So, I resolved – as my 2021 New Year’s Resolution, to write a haiku each day.
2. How do you approach writing haiku? (chance to offer some insights into your writing process, whether you include visual and other material?
Otherwise, my process is to observe the simple things in my environment that mark the passing of the seasons and wonder about how these simple images can be used to convey something beyond the literal.
By illustration, it’s early autumn in South Africa and under a nearby oak tree, I found myself standing on acorns that weren’t there 2 weeks ago. In a sense, I meditate on the acorn as my seasonal anchor, and explore what we can learn from it, what about it is surprising, or what quality about it is admirable?
Oh, to be buried,and then soon forgotten;the young acorn’s dream.
3. What do you enjoy about being a member of The Daily Haiku group?
Honestly, there’s a lot to love. I love that it’s a place where I can share my writing and can learn from the writing of others. I really like how welcoming the group is and how inclusive it is of all kinds of styles; haiku of course, but also other short forms. In my view, TDH is not a haiku group; it’s a community that orbits around haiku as a theme. A Facebook group that is a community first is rare and incredibly special.
I also like that – in a world of echo-chambers – this group transcends age. I love that there are many avid writers in their seventies and eighties (and hopefully older)! It’s lovely to hear what the older generations are thinking and feeling; regardless of whether I agree or not.
4. Do you have any comments on the wellbeing aspect of being part of a creative writing group?
5. Do pick out two of your favourite haiku that you have written?
A toadin the beak of a crane;smiling.
Something lost returnswith each soft undulation;at the water’s edge.
6. Do also please add any other comments/images etc about contributing haiku to the group and anything else you want to highlight.
11 Comments on “Conversation 62: THE DAILY HAIKU Interviews: Eric McLachlan”
Hi Eric.
I remember getting a satisfying nudge from your, Something lost haiku.
I returned to it just now.
You have a voice already – to my ear – lots to enjoy in your observations. I hope you get to BC. I spent many happy month there in the 90s.
There was a strong ish interest in Shakuhachi in Vancouver. I imagine there is a well grounded haiku group or two. T
Hi Eric, a lovely informative interview which I enjoyed reading.
As a haiku novice myself, I like the way your haiku record the passing seasons. I must admit to writing a lot of what is senryu but I too strive to be able to master the art of traditional haiku in 5/7/5 with logo, cutting word and juxtaposition. Thank you for sharing your haiku journey. ❤👩🦰🧡🦊💛🐝🌻
The algorithms have changed and I don’t see your posts like I did. It was so refreshing to see you here in The Great Conversation and hear a little about you and your family! How wonderful to be expecting a little girl soon! My first impression of you was from your first haiku. I was gob-smacked with how it affected me! I think you are a natural although I’m not one to judge, but your haiku definitely have an impact. And, I am with you, haiku is cathartic and it does keep me in the now moments, but also can trigger past ‘stuff’ and I find haiku a wonderful way to address what my heart and mind are trying to say without having to go into details. The day I can write a haiku in less than 17 sylls without going into ‘details’ without all the words, is a satisfying moment for me.
A beautiful soul came into TDH. Have you met him? Have you read his haiku? His name is Eric and I think you will really enjoy his writings. Thanks, Eric. I’m so glad you are here!
Really enjoyed reading your interview, Eric. It was great to learn more about your life, and family. How exciting there will be a new addition soon! I always enjoy your haiku that I see, and do indeed remember your amazing toad one, but not the other, which is lovely. Like Connie, I do find the algorithms bewildering, as people’s poems seem to come and go… So glad you joined the group, and that you gain so much from it.
Wonderful!
Thank you all very much for your kind words and warm welcome. I feel very fortunate to have found a community where we can all enrich each other’s lives with a little bit of magic.
Have a lovely weekend. ❤️
I love the two haikus you have posted here, Eric, and enjoyed reading your journey into this poetry form.
Such a fabulous haiku story, I love it! You are a natural haiku writer and your love for Japan, the form will ensure this is a long lasting adventure. Thank you again Eric for suggesting a weekly Season Word to encourage us to embrace haiku with a more traditional focus on nature whilst also putting us in touch with the nature around us wherever we are. But the Season Word too is a chance to explore more modern experimentations in haiku. In your haiku ‘something lost returns at the water’s edge’ there is such a beautiful meditative quality that keeps me at that edge of water sensing that loss, my fragility, the power of nature, its ceaselessness, my own temporality. Looking forward to more of your haiku Eric and so very glad you are here, you enrich our community immensely.
Thank you, Eric, for your wonderful haiku, for letting us into your life and for being part of this nourishing community.
Hi Eric, thank you for a wonderfully warm and affirming interview. TDH as echo chamber where it an ageless space, I like that aspect too. There’s lots that undulate in TDH sometimes I miss little gems, not for lack of scrolling, sometimes its the machinations of facebook. So apologies for missing your favourite haiku. Water’s edge brings me both calm and turmoil, but its necessary for balance. Thanks again
Thank you all, again, for taking the time to read this. I recognise many of you as outstanding members of the community here and it’s a pleasure and a privilege to stand here with you.
Wishing you all a wonderful day.