Authors: Stoianka Boianova & Minko TanevCountry: BulgariaCopyright: 2019Book Title: Tops Under The StarsLanguages: English and BulgarianTranslators: Stoianka Boianova & Minko Tanev, BulgariaPublisher: Cyberwit.net, Allahabad, IndiaPublication Year: 2019Pages: 59ISBN: 978-93-88125-40-6Cost: $15.00Reviewer: Joseph S. Spence, Sr.
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| Joseph S. Spence, Sr. |
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.
