food frenzy
pampered sacred carp
eat float swim
At shrines and historic places in Japan a strategically placed pond of carp are often a a highlight for visitors.
Coloured Carp have a cultural significance, especially golden ones, signifying regal importance as seen in
the first image, and white with large red dots signifying the national flag. This pond of feeding carp was at
the Glover Museum in Nagasaki that we visited in 1990. I have been scanning my way through our slide
collection and will share more Haibun across the year.
Haiku hound 
I love the bow to Basho in the title Denis and the contrast with the stillness found in so many ponds. Both the images and words capture the frenzy and I look forward to seeing more haibun across the year 🙂
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Thanks for your perceptive comments Xenia.
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Prisoners
In a guilded cage
Heartrending
Ever since seeing beautiful colourful fish in huge shoals swimming free in the ocean, this is always my response to seeing fish in captivity.
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I agree Sandra. Did your see many such ponds on your Japanese trip? These fish are bred for such displays and some lines go back to Medieval Emperors Court days. Thos gold and white/red circle fish are from especially long lines of breeding.
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No I didn’t – we saw an endless number of temples, so I am surprised we didn’t. I suppose if they have been bred for so long in captivity they might have become genetically adjusted to the life – some comfort there.
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The carp look so surreal in these photos. Your haiku describes their lives perfectly.
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The pond is quite large, they were all fighting for food in one spot.
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Like a painting… amazing. Thank you dear Denis, Love, nia
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I agree Nia, they are quite surreal in the thrashing water, a bit like a Monet
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Thanks Xenia, your comments are coming from a haiku expert.
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