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Vanessa Glau's avatar

Fascinating musings, as always! This concept of harmony is something I think about a lot when it comes to Western vs Japanese mindset. It's a huge part why I enjoyed the Japanese reality show Terrace House as much as I did - it taught me a lot about how conflict is dealt with. Obviously, the participants all live together so some conflict has to be addressed... always for the common good though!

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Leanne Ogasawara's avatar

Oh, I've heard of that show!!! I should check it out xoxoxoxo

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Poetry Symposium's avatar

- commitment to listen! - enjoyed this piece - P.S.

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Leanne Ogasawara's avatar

Thank you!!!!!!!

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Poetry Symposium's avatar

My Pleasure :)

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Sally's avatar

Oh, you are writing about one of my favorite subjects: harmony and its allowance for differing voices. This concept for the writer allows different points of view without coercion into the conformity that can precipitate conflict. Thus, the narrative arc moves very differently -- as you and i have discussed i the past. Thank you so much for bringing this to light again, Leanne!

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Leanne Ogasawara's avatar

Thank you, Sally!! It's one of the many reasons I loved Kim Stanley Robinson's Ministry of the Future-- a polyphony of voices. It is so frustrating to be in workshops where 100% the same thing happens: "where is the conflict?" "What are the stakes?" Hoping my next post will be about poetry :)

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Sally's avatar

And I can't wait to see your haiku in The Dewdrop! Congratulations!

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Leanne Ogasawara's avatar

Thank you for remembering that!!! I am kind of embarrassed since I basically "borrowed" a trope from classical literature--but here it is! https://thedewdrop.org/2024/10/21/dewdrops-autumn-week-3/

I am more excited that I learned a haibun (and haiku) were accepted and coming out in La Piccioletta Barca on Nov 1. I love that journal so am happy about it! I still have about three other poems in submission... I had a lot of fun with them.

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Sally's avatar

Hooray! Your haiku is beautiful!

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Barbara Shoup's avatar

Harmony allows for differing voices as long as the common good takes precedence.

What an interesting way of thinking about it! Great post!

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