Author's note
Haikus are an ancient Japanese verse form. They are three lines long and should follow a syllable pattern of 5,7,5. A haiku should be visual and about nature. It is considered pure to include a word-play or pun. They should not rhyme.
The great Japanese master, Basho (1644-94), wrote in Japanese, so his haikus do not follow the rules when translated. He also shows us that a haiku does not always have to be visual or about nature. Here are two Basho Haikus.
"Moon-daubed bush-clover-
ssh, in next room
snoring prostitutes."
"Poet grieving over shivering
monkey, what of this child
cast out in autumn wind?"
Now, here are some of mine:
These follow the rules:
At the water's edge
tall amongst the grey green reeds
the heron reflects.
Fresh gourds and garlic
chillis and coriander
Heaven scent to Leeds.
My husband wrote this, next one
Cyclists calling out
to warn walkers lost in dreams,
win my no-bell prize.
These break one or two rules:
Crepescular views,
laburnum and lilac hues
yellowing the blues.
She fought big business
by reading library books.
She showed them who's boss.
(Written 27 May 2003)
Gillete Series Gel,
for clean skin, with tea tree oil.
In two-hundred grams.
This last one is a joke really. It was inspired by a can of shaving gel. I will add new Haikus as I write them.
© Copyright 2004 Mavis Moog (UN: mavis at Writing.Com).
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