In Australia, 'midden' principally refers to the shell heaps left a long time ago by Aboriginal folk. Where I live, they're often found in sheltered spots with incredible views of the water.
Uuuuh, this is of course a difficult one for me. So I have to thank you for your explanation. When I read your verse I remember all these reports about drinking problems in areas with deprived backgrounds.
Patrick, probably straightforward, but I think its delightful that people love to find beautiful spots to consume - shellfish or beer - whether last year or a thousand years ago.
I just read this tonight. I was familiar with midden as a trash heap, but a pile of ancient shells is an entirely different picture. And what a shame to mar that picture with bottlecaps! A sad commentary on modern man and his careless habits. In this haiku you have captured the ancient and the new, the beautiful and the ugly, nature and man. Quite an accomplishment for only nine syllables.
strewn
love it emma (as you know midden is what we call a trash heap in scotland)
ReplyDeleteas seems appropriate in lots of ways, if not others
ReplyDeleteIt's beautiful Emma, thanks for the explanation of I would have missed the magic of it...;)
ReplyDeleteAnd a long time from now, "midden" may have come to mean a heap of shells and bottletops. Ocean view not guaranteed.
ReplyDeleteUuuuh, this is of course a difficult one for me. So I have to thank you for your explanation. When I read your verse I remember all these reports about drinking problems in areas with deprived backgrounds.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Ralf
Oh, forgot to say: the picture is ... perfect!
ReplyDeletebw r
That's good, Emma; and thanks for the explanation. It's a very straightforward haiku but also meaningful in its way.
ReplyDeleteI'm on vacation this week. out in the wilderness. I'll try to write a few things while I'm living off the grid. :-)
Yes, explanation helped, Dalloway...every country has its junk yard and the scene is quite familiar....Midden is a new word, though :)
ReplyDeletewishes,
devika
Ha! Bill I think you might be right.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ralf - (thats me by the way)
Patrick, probably straightforward, but I think its delightful that people love to find beautiful spots to consume - shellfish or beer - whether last year or a thousand years ago.
http://www.aboriginalaffairs.vic.gov.au/web7/rwpgslib.nsf/GraphicFiles/AA_13_ShellMiddens_13/$file/AA_13_ShellMiddens_13.06.08.pdf
"(thats me by the way)"
ReplyDeleteFor sure. Every letter, every pixel. Very authentic.
Best wishes
Ralf
Emma,I love how I can come here and learn new things about your part of the world. I really like this.
ReplyDeletelooking
ReplyDeletethe message --
The Midden Post
Ps.
ReplyDeletehttp://juhanitikkanen.blogspot.com/2009/08/emma-dalloway-australiasta-kirjoittaa.html
thanks Juhani - I managed to translate your blog.... I can now tell my friends I have a haiku translated into Finnish!
ReplyDeleteI just read this tonight. I was familiar with midden as a trash heap, but a pile of ancient shells is an entirely different picture. And what a shame to mar that picture with bottlecaps! A sad commentary on modern man and his careless habits. In this haiku you have captured the ancient and the new, the beautiful and the ugly, nature and man. Quite an accomplishment for only nine syllables.
ReplyDeleteAdelaide
Lovely, and thanks for your additional explanation. Great sense of change through time, bottletops the new shells.
ReplyDelete