John Knight’s Jasmine

On By Nicholas KlacsanzkyIn Haiku

no rain…
ah but the scent
of jasmine

© John Knight (1935-2012) (Australia)

This is a fine example of how haiku can express a feeling without stating it. The word “ah” lends a hand in knowing the exact feeling of the writer, but the emotion of refreshment could also be extracted without this word. Rain soothes, nurtures, and beautifies. The same can be said about the scent of jasmine, which is scientifically proven to calm the nerves with its sweet smell. This haiku shows a philosophical notion of wholeness: despite the absence of rain (jasmine is a seasonal reference for late summer, so the absence of rain would be more apparent during this time), the scent of jasmine has replaced its effects. In other words, if something fails to happen, something else will take its place. Nature has a way of retaining its balance.

I like the use of the ellipsis so the reader can feel the pause of the writer while he was witnessing the moment. I think the pacing is well done, and the lines are laid out efficiently. There is just enough words to convey its idea and feeling. Like I mentioned before, “ah” could have been theoretically left out, however, it gives us more of a sense of the mood.  In terms of sound, I enjoy the usage of “n” in “rain,” “scent,” and “jasmine.” It provides the poem with an air of dignity, in my opinion. The simplicity and naturalness of how the haiku reads is also admirable.

– Nicholas Klacsanzky (Ukraine)

Learn about John Knight and read more of his poems here: http://livinghaikuanthology.com/index-of-poets/livinglegacies/3694-knight,-john.html

Did you enjoy this haiku? Please tell us why in the comments.

9 thoughts on “John Knight’s Jasmine”

  1. John was a great guy! He judged the first haiku competition for FAWQ, my very first, where I didn’t do too badly. Years later he published my work (longer poems) in Social Alternatives, a great magazine. He was a really nice guy, and it was a privilege to have met him at least once. :-)

    Obituaries : John Knight – UQ eSpace – University of Queensland
    https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/data/UQ_331671/ff7_1_2012_p34_35.pdf?Expires=1519559150&Signature=eM3eXrlbJcZqkkZXjcFOSr9zPlpM67~Dr2b6fI7hK5n2MbgurbYTcDU8LhFitgyyiliIRh3m4O3fi0vq5uBhtpxTfTJNKZy4PHrsC8zFhRrONOIJlVdnVe9MSlq5FWVxgAMIcxU9U5Rizhh~dvZZGgcp2uimLxxTRuPl1s15yAvTeNiigZlLAuFAXNd1BQLJUNre~2c3PvOWOuVuuxeytv5FLOpGKd5YtoRv3V4o1S3UPvz4psy4EOYWiJYuOj2ABMQIi4BnX7IRS0akjK2KyE-I~q7M-qzs1U1-~jKh7bHK5jKLcgTHvkwN1Wbbq0sgnFGjMepXrdZVf2ehizodpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJKNBJ4MJBJNC6NLQ

    Social Alternatives 30th Anniversary:

    Click to access synoteditorial.pdf

    warm regards,

    Alan

    Alan Summers
    President, United Haiku and Tanka Society
    co-founder, Call of the Page

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    Reply

      1. No worries! That was an Aussie term that wasn’t then known across the world, but is now. :-)

        John did so much, with Post Pressed he published Janice Bostok (a good friend of mine) and was part of the Paper Wasp haiku group that myself and Janice were invited to join. It was just a Brisbane haiku group then, and blossomed into being an international journal and group. :-)

        Alan

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