Tops Under The Stars: Haiku Inspirational Light Shining Bright—Such Delight!

Authors: Stoianka Boianova & Minko Tanev
Country: Bulgaria
Copyright: 2019
Book Title: Tops Under The Stars
Languages: English and Bulgarian
Translators: Stoianka Boianova & Minko Tanev, Bulgaria
Publisher: Cyberwit.net, Allahabad, India
Publication Year: 2019
Pages: 59
ISBN: 978-93-88125-40-6
Cost: $15.00



Joseph S. Spence, Sr.
Introduction

This awesome haiku poem book is written by two of the greatest known haiku poets, Stoianka Boianova and Minko Tanev, from Bulgaria. They are married to each other and have significant collaboration with their creative and artistic inspiring words. Since I have known them, they have been the two most pronounced haiku poets, practicing the art of haiku poetry in uplifting worldwide humanity. They have my noble blessings for their internally generated motivation proliferating haiku poems across the spectrum, with love and affection for their audience. 

This distinguished haiku inspirational book is written in two parts. The first by, Stoianka Boianova (╨б╨в╨Ю╨п╨Э╨Ъ╨Р ╨С╨Ю╨п╨Э╨Ю╨Т╨Р), and second by, Minko Tanev (╨ЬHNKO TAHEB) her husband. The poems in each are listed categorical in sections and flow wonderfully well.

Part One: Stoianka Boianova (╨б╨в╨Ю╨п╨Э╨Ъ╨Р ╨С╨Ю╨п╨Э╨Ю╨Т╨Р)

The first section of this remarkable haiku inspirational poetry book is titled, “Fragrance Valleys.” The first haiku poem reminds me of an awe-inspiring scene in the Sinai Desert while serving with the Multi-National Force. It’s a site which suddenly appeared in full view upon cresting a hill and was so beautiful. Immediately, there is life created by the Creator instead of sand dunes as follows:

feeling of homeland
roads through mountains
on the horizon                                     (Page 4)

Here Stoianka give a vision from a mountainous view where she feels her homeland based on her observation of nature while traveling the roads through mountainous areas. Such an inspirational vision from the senses—Sensitizingly Specular!

The imagery of God’s creation is precious, especially when its displayed as wonderful flowers. Roses, daffodils, and tulips are so beautiful and emit pleasing fragrances stimulating the senses They are delightful creations of God. This is exemplified in the following haiku poem:

dew in the flowers
in every drop I can see
the image of God                                (Page 6)

Her words in this haiku uplifts the soul, with refreshing eloquence, especially in the mornings when one is able to see drips of dews off flowers from the beam of the golden rays of the sun.

The second section titled, “Splash of Water.” It has a variety of poems reflecting such marvelous essence. The first haiku is symbolic of travelling at sea as follows:

an autumn leaf
travels on the river
a raft to the sea                                   (Page 17)

Her imaginative skills and symbology show a leaf as a raft travelling at sea, while it’s flowing down a river. Such magnificent use of comparing and contrasting words with visual metaphors.

The next haiku poem places one right on the beach. Such pleasurable sights, are seen everywhere on the landscape made from sand dunes as follows:

great sand dunes
grains of sand in different shapes
look equally                                        (Page 19)

Here she shows the ebb and flow of the tides creating various shapes in the sand. The feet of humans walking along the beach and kids digging and building sand castles are also depicted in this delightful scenery. This represent such a beautiful time on the beach for everyone.

The third section is titled, “Freedom of Flight.” It highlights visionary thoughts from the mind, conceived by and connected to the senses. The first highlighted haiku in this section follows: 

freedom of flight
the snowflake chooses its way
from heaven to earth                           (Page 28)

Here she reflects in plain view the freedom of flight by the snowflakes choosing their way to earth in grand style. They encounter no obstacles, truly exhibiting flight of freedom from above.

The last haiku to comment on in this section shows the freedom of joy for the winter holiday season. One can imagine the warmth inside their home with the all snow is outside in the garden as reflected below in grand style:

holiday joy
in the heart of the house
in the garden snow                              (Page 29)

Here she paints a pleasing picture of joy which comes during the holiday season. One can imagine snuggling up in front of a fireplace with sparkles popping, while sipping a cup of hot chocolate, and conversing with family. The snow is no problem, since it’s outside in the garden.

Part Two: Minko Tanev (╨ЬHNKO TAHEB)

The second part of this awesome haiku poetry book is written by Minko Tanev (╨ЬHNKO TAHEB). It’s also divided into sections. The first section is titled “Bright Light.” It begins with a fantastic haiku poem as follows:

Roman stadium
a procession of seagulls
in the night sky                                    (Page 33)

Such an impressive sight in the night sky. The reflection of the moon in the background works wonders making this sight enchanting. The extreme whiteness from the seagulls against the moon is truly a spectacular one to behold when moving in unison—Such Sensational Sight! 

The next haiku illustrates and resonates love and affection. The sight of the rainbow brings visual spiritedness for the soul and generates wonderful comments. The lines are as follows:

a rainbow
the bridge of lovers
on the horizon                                     (Page 38)

It’s really an enchanting sight to behold the rainbow’s reflection against the skyline with beauty and elegance. There is a nice wish to reach for the pot of gold with refreshing thoughts. A lover’s dream of endearment, and a blissful bridge to cross with love and affection for each other.

The next section is titled, “Sacraments.” It has many haiku poems linking to the subject for reading and interpreting with reverence and grace. It’s illustrated as follows:

blue rain green rain
cathedrals of the spirit
in offerings                                          (Page 42)

This is an admirable haiku poem regarding the cathedral of the spirit. One can imagine the sight of rain in various colors. Looking out the various stained windows of the cathedral and beholding things reflecting in different colors from the outside is very stimulating especially showers of blessings. The contribution of offering is a humble blessing to the soul—Ultimate Upliftment!

The next haiku reflects grace and wonders especially when one is in a state of mindfulness and meditation. Peace and quietness always resonate with beautiful visions and images for the soul. The following haiku is emblematic of such:

golden clouds
a moment of meditation
as birds return                                    (Page 48)

Here he reflects on birds in a moment of meditation. They are always fond of quietness, and driven away by noise. One can visualize a moment of goldenness with peaceful clouds impacting such a scene with inspiration. This is the habit for birds. It’s like returning to their nest and cuddling their youngsters with love and affection stimulating growth—Breathtakingly Beautiful!

The next section titled, “Roads,” gives a different contemplation of beautiful haiku poetry to refresh the soul and brings inspiration to the rest of the mind and body. 

The first one to analyze is the beauty of kites making their own way into the sky with their own path of brilliance and celebration. These wonderful lines are as follows:

colorful kites
flames in the sunset
beyond the river                                  (Page 50)

The varying colors of kites are always stimulating. The mixture of their colors is really fascination in the sunset with the reddish reflection of flames resonating. Such an alluring sight which brings splendor to the mind of a child holding the string while it’s in flight. This is really a marvelous haiku with words of endearment—Visually Vibrating!

The final haiku poem to review in this section reflects aesthetic and grace of two divine elements, the sun and fog, in the amazing beauty of the morning dew. Such excellent words are as follows:

autumnal sun
out of the fog appears
the image of God                                            (Page 54)

The brilliance of the autumn sun is refreshing to the mind, body and soul. It’s goldens rays drizzling with golden dust stimulates the grass, weeds, and flowers, thus causing dews to drip unto mother earth nurturing the ecosystem. These combination of events and activities are certainly an image of God taking care of His creation—Reverently Reassuring!

Conclusion

This awe-inspiring haiku book is certainly refreshing to the mind, body and soul. The words embedded by the authors generate splendor from within the four corners of each page. They are inspiriting, uplifting and alluring with endearment. These two Bulgarian haiku poets have my sincerest and noblest blessings on the inedible ink flowing from their pens mixed with diamond and gold. Their unique words are inspiring, uplifting, and stimulating to the senses and life. They are the two greatest haiku poets I have ever know from that part of the world in their efforts to uplift worldwide humanity with words of inspiration and endearment. Their motivation, positive attitudes, and internally generated inventiveness is beyond the normal comprehension of others.

This is truly a great haiku book of poems to read on the path of practicing mindfulness, and relaxation for the mind, body and soul. It generates splendor, wonderful thoughts, beautiful visualizations, and collectiveness of wisdom stimulating the brain during its performance of obtaining and remembering life’s beauty and splendor. One must read this awe-inspiring and amazing haiku poetry book of wonderful and insightful words of inspiration to truly appreciate the thoughts and words of the authors.

About the Authors

Stoianka Boianova, was born in Bulgaria, March 29, 1955 near Plovdiv. She has a Master’s degree in Physics from the University of Plovdiv. She has worked as a chief expert in the Bulgarian Metrology Institute, Sofia, in the field of instrument measurements, created an audited system for quality control, and took part in the development of standards. She is the author of eleven books, consisting of nine poetry books, one novel, and one collection of short stories. She has co-authored more than thirty editions in Bulgaria, Poland, Serbia, Germany, India, Japan, USA, England, and Africa. She is also an editor of short story books, novels and dictionaries. She has received numerous awards, accolades, and recognitions, continuously for her worldwide literary contributions, from countries and organizations around the world, starting in 1969 to the present, and more will be coming based on her current active contributions and participation.

Minko Tanev, was born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, March 30 1953. He obtained a degree in Bulgarian Philology from the University of Plovdiv. He has worked at the Municipal Council for Culture; the Teacher’s House, Plovdiv; newspaper of the Higher Agricultural Institute; Medical University, Plovdiv; Professor of Bulgarian language for foreign students; newspaper Academia Medica, Plovdiv as an editor; newspaper Art Club, Plovdiv as a deputy chief editor; is an author of six books of poems; co-author of numerous books and anthologies; as well as an editor of over sixty books of poetry, prose, haiku and tanka, some of which have won national awards. His works have been translated into German, French, English, Polish, Slovak, and Serbian, and he has translated works from Russian and Armenian. He has numerous awards, accolades, and recognitions, continuously for his worldwide literary contributions in uplifting and inspiring worldwide humanity, from countries and organizations around the world, starting in 1978 to the present, and more will be coming based on his active contributions and participation.

1 comment :

  1. Thank you my dearly beloved editor Sharma, for your acceptance and publication of this review. The authors will be very ecstatic to see this posted. Have an awesome day and blessings always!

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