Do You Haiku?

Anyone can do it, especially today

National Haiku Day was last month, but I missed it and today is 5/7, which numbers are the two syllabic patterns in a 3-line haiku of 5-7-5. So, any excuse to create some little poems and invite you to do the same.

This traditional Japanese art form is known for its simplicity, saying a lot with a few words. Sometimes the subject is very concrete, often based in themes from nature, but any poetry is a fun way to play with words using imagery and metaphor.

Here’s how it works: Don’t overthink it, but sit quietly for a few minutes, letting your mind wander, just noticing words and images that come to mind. As you notice those thoughts and ideas, begin to play with words and phrases, seeing if you can fit them into the 5-7-5 pattern of syllables (5 syllables on the first line, 7 syllables on the second line, 5 syllables on the third line). You don’t need to rhyme. I have three examples below that I just came up with, and I sometimes continue a thought on the next line, not constrained by keeping each line separately contained to tidy punctuation, which is called “enjambment.”

Think of this as a kind of creative puzzle. It’s fun to make something, and this is an easy way to do it. Share your creations with me, please!

Three 5/7 Haiku

Inspiration waits
To be found–tick, tock, tick, tock.
Time to start looking.

Weather changing, I
Am imperceptible as
I am changing too.

Another one gone
From the nest which I feathered
With care. Say goodbye.

One of my birds who has flown the nest, photographing cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., March 2009