Lost – A Hay(Na)Ku*

Lost

Is a

Frame of mind

We did a hike in the French Alps with some friends of ours who live near Annecy. It was quite a different hike than what we’ve done in the USA. We drove up into the mountains, stopped on a hillside by a cow pasture and just started walking. My friend said this was how it was done in France. You just walked around and explored and then find your way back.

It was really enjoyable to be out in the sun and the grass. We saw cows and some people parasailing (or trying to, the wind was really strong that day). We also saw some awesome RC airplanes. The hike wasn’t too strenuous but I definitely got my exercise circle closed that day!

On the drive back to our hotel in the city, I came upon a blog by Jason Muckley who blogs at Poems for Warriors. His post was about “flaneuring”, a term I had never heard of but that perfectly described our hike. It makes me wonder why the French have such a word but there is no equivalent for that in the USA. Is there an equivalent in other languages/countries?

I think I will have to continue to find opportunities to flaneur when we get back from vacation.

* Jason also introduced me to the Hay(Na)Ku poetry from. It is similar in brevity to the Haiku with three lines but the word (not syllable) count is 1-2-3. The Hay(Na)Ku was created by a Filipina poet named Eileen Tabios in 2003. The name is a play on words of a Tagalog expression loosely translated into “oh my!” Of course, I fell in love it with right away!

Thanks Jason for introducing me to these two wonderful new concepts!!

©️ iido 2019