Documentation Swiss literatures

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[ book tip by Literatur Schweiz ] A haiku is a complete three line lyrical miniature following the 5-7-5 pattern of sound units. Hence, an endless haiku seems contradictory. Nevertheless, the author and theologist Franz Dodel writes a never-ending haiku („Haiku ohne Ende“). Since 2002 he has been adding on, verse after verse – in a daily ritual.
 
The „never-ending-Haiku“ is something like a poetic breviary that is not written for endless reading. Rather, the author creates a smooth flow of thoughts about God, the world and the self which can be read in several steps as one pleases. „Nicht bei Trost“ (Out of One’s Mind) is truly a literary gem that evades the literary bustle and thereby probably manages to safeguard its poetic serenity.
Departing from the haiku tradition, Dodel has developed a unique poetic form which is wonderfully smooth to read, like an on-going soliloquy. The poetic self is happily driven without following any particular direction: „... ich mag die / Wünsche an denen / festzuhalten sich nicht lohnt /auch die die lange/ unerfüllt bleiben ...“ (I like the / wishful thoughts to which / holding on does not pay off / even the ones that / stay ever unfilled…). And after every 500 lines he makes a reference to Marcel Proust.
You can follow Dodel’s daily spiritual exercise online: www.franzdodel.ch.

(Beat Mazenauer, trans. by Anja Hälg)

[ Favourite quote ] «ich mag die
Wünsche an denen
festzuhalten sich nicht lohnt
auch die die lange
unerfüllt bleiben»

[ book info ] Dodel, Franz: Nicht bei Trost. . (original language: Deutsch) Out of One's Mind. Edition Korrespondenzen, Wien, 2008 . ISBN: 978-3-902113-58-0.