WC Newsletter #114 - Senryu & Zappai

Writers' Circle Newsletter

Issue #114: February 16-ish, 2004

(To read back issues of the Writers’ Circle Newsletter, see "WC Newsletter Back Issues" .)

FIRST I need to appologize for the tardiness of the newsletter this week. I've had family issues that included a trip to the ER and follow-ups with the doctor. Without further ado, your WC newsletter...

The Senryu and Zappai - Haiku's Family.

A couple of months ago I did a newsletter on haiku. Today I was going to introduce you to the senryu, when I discovered another member of this witty word play poetry family.

First, I want you to picture Haiku as the patriarch. (For a refresher on this form click here: "WC Newsletter #93 * Haiku" .) He’s generally serious, cracks a mild joke once in a while and is pretty strict when it comes to the rules.

Senryu, which means “river willow”, is the matriarch. She follows almost the same rules as Haiku, except for the kigo (season word). She just isn’t the outdoorsy type, for the most part. However, she is lighthearted, can occasionally be erotic and more into the human aspect of life.

Finally, there is Zappai. He’s that goofy uncle that breaks as many rules as he can in the name of fun and is a blast at each reunion. He cracks every corny joke, including the “pull my finger” genre’. (Remember that haiku newsletter? Spamku and Scifiku, and similar “ku” are really zappai.)

NIFTY NOTES:

*Haikai are haiku, senryu and zappai.

*A haijin is a person who writes haikai.

*Senryu is named for the haijin who popularized the form almost 300 years ago. Karai Hachiemon was this haijin and senryu was his pen-name.

*17 syllables is a maximum. Don’t be afraid to leave well enough alone if your haiku, senryu or zappai has less. Use it as a guide and perhaps an excuse to think of better word choices but don’t get stuck on the 5-7-5. The only exception, in my opinion, would be the zappai. That’s because besides needing to be witty, as well as silly and fun, it’s the only rule it has!

* KIREJI is a pause, line break or cutting point (see haiku newsletter for more on this.)


LINKS:

http://members.tripod.com/%7EStartag/HkSenDiff.html
http://members.aol.com/usdare2/senryuis.htm
http://www.phenry.org/junkdrawer/haiku/
http://www.alsopreview.com/foley/jfheuvel.html

Next week’s newsletter will be brought to you by some leftover conversation hearts, green eggs and ham and the wonderfully witty esprit .

Haiku example:

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Great Galloping Gust - Haiku  [E] It was windy today... by Red Writing Hood

Senryu example:

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The Duel - Haiku/Senryu  [E] Parenting over the top... by Red Writing Hood

Zappai example:

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Oriental Veggie Kung-Fu Haiku  [ASR] Animated Chinese Veggies go wild... Film at 11. by Red Writing Hood

Featured Poetry From Members:

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Mystery  [E] The unknown of Alaska beckons and teases the imagination from the sky. by Vivian ╰☆╮

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Magnolia Blossoms  [ASR] magnolia blossoms under the night sky (dodoitsu) by ElaineElaine

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Featured Poetry From Non-Members:

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Writing Prompt:

Try your hand at a Zappai! Don't know how to be silly or where to start? Here's a bit of help:


The woes of my toes...


Please feel free to submit your results to this prompt here: "Invalid Item" 

Quote:

All slang is a metaphor, and all metaphor is poetry. G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936), Defendant (1901)

Recommended Reading, Groups and Forums:

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A Poet's Tool Box  [E] Tools for the trade. by Red Writing Hood

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Grammar and Punctuation Problems?  [E] Message forum for WC grammar and punctuation problems. by Jessiebelle™

You are invited to submit suggestions to the Writers' Circle editors. To submit an item for consideration in the WC newsletter:

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WC Newsletter Feedback and Submissions  [E] WC newsletter submission, a cheer or jeer, or just want to join the group? Find it here! by Red Writing Hood

All comments about this and any WC newsletter are welcome!

Tell your friends about our newsletter! They can sign up through this link. Feel free to forward this newsletter to your friends.

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WC Newsletter Feedback and Submissions  [E] WC newsletter submission, a cheer or jeer, or just want to join the group? Find it here! by Red Writing Hood

Issue #114
2/20/2004
Edited by: Red Writing Hood