Haikuification (Transformation) of R. Frost's, 'Design,' to Haiku opus 903
| 24 July 2026 2225 Hours | | Poetry, Behavior, Biology, Diet, Food, Linguistics, Mortality, Philosophy |
'Robert Frost's 1922 poem, 'Design,' is from an
Italian sonnet that questions whether the dark,
coincidental events in nature are dictated
by an unseen, malevolent force.
Using the imagery of white, innocent elements
to depict death, the poem explores themes
of malice and existential uncertainty.'
Design
I found a dimpled spider, fat and white,
On a white heal-all, holding up a moth
Like a white piece of rigid satin cloth--
Assorted characters of death and blight
Mixed ready to begin the morning right,
Like the ingredients of a witches' broth--
A snow drop spider, a flower like a froth,
And dead wings carried like a paper kite.
What had that flower to do with being white,
The wayside blue and innocent heal-all?
What brought the kindred spider to that height,
Then steered the white moth thither in the night?
What but design of darkness to appall?--
If design govern in a thing so small.
Haikuification of 'Design' (Frank Maurer)
I found a white moth
Dimpled spider, fat and white
Holding up that moth.
Holding up that moth
Like a white piece, satin cloth
Mixed with death and blight.
Ready to begin
Morning like a witches' broth
A snow-drop spider.
Flower like a froth
Dead wings like a paper kite
Flower being white.
What had that flower
To do with being so white
Not innocent blue?
What brought the spider
To steer the moth in the night
So what but design?
What but design of
Darkness, design to appall
In a thing so small?