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ACTIvITy 4.2
continued
Using language for effect
my Notes
About the Author
Mexican writer José Juan Tablada (1871–1945), who introduced haiku to the Spanish language, is considered the father of modern Mexican poetry. During a visit to Japan, he was introduced to haiku, a traditional poetry form that is usually made up of three lines with a total of 17 syllables. Writing in Spanish, Tablada did not try to imitate Japanese culture in his haiku but created poems that reflected Mexican culture.
poetry
Haiku
by José Juan Tablada, translated by Samuel Beckett
The brilliant moon working through its web keeps the spider awake.
Sea the black night, the cloud a shell, the moon a pearl.
Tender willow,
almost gold, almost amber, almost light ...
Although he never stirs from home the tortoise, like a load of furniture jolts down the path.
The garden is thick with dry leaves: on the trees I never saw
so many green, in spring ...
256 SpringBoard® English Language Arts Grade 7
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