Haiku

Just as a quick introduction, haiku is a poetry form which originated in Japan. Traditional Japanese haiku is composed of three lines with a total of only seventeen syllables: five in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third. There are other traditional elements of Japanese haiku, but I only make an effort to follow the form so I won't bother to mention them. =)

I've written quite a few of these. I think the size restriction on them is great fun. Please remember, haiku is a very short form, so if you don't like one of mine, don't worry, it will be over soon.

 

Meta Haiku
haiku about haiku

This is poetry?
No way.  It’s not long enough.
Haiku?  Gesundheit.

Five beats is not much
And seven’s not much more, so
Pontificate quick.

Haiku syntax made
Strange for making point in form.
(Whoops.  Five left over.)

 

Love Haiku
haiku about the ups and downs of love

I stick out my tongue To taste the air as you pass Yes, all men are snakes. My eyes undress you? My dear, I had not noticed You were wearing clothes. We are as likely As June snowstorms in Sac town. Still, I wear my coat. Snap. Click. Perfect fit. Jigsaw puzzle’s last piece placed. My arms around you. Her – Goddess.  Him – Toad. Don’t try to understand it Love’s funny like that. Bad optometrist! You’re correcting her vision. Love’s no longer blind. So here’s where we part. It was nice while it lasted. My eyes?  Just some dust. No star-crossed lovers, Our love was not mythic, But it sustained me. Long months have gone by Without sight or sound of you Yet, here is your scent. Hey, I thought of you Today while I was breathing (I think of you lots.) I have watched you now For four hundred eighteen days… Time to make my move. If you were to die And come back as a vampire Drinks would be on me

If I had a dime For each woman I’ve turned down I’d have thirty cents. All night she told me About guys she finds sexy. I think she likes me. “No romance,” you said And so I write you limericks Instead of sonnets Yes, time heals all wounds Except for a broken heart That takes time…and booze. I have a new found Sympathy for all puppets Since she jerked my strings *Anthropomorphism Gives human traits to beasts and Explains our affair. Now all other girls Will just make me think of you (Unless they’re real hot) You are delightful. You're magical to me and Someday I'll tell you. Whatever it takes I'll transform myself into Whatever she'll take No more fantasy. It is no more than it is And that isn’t much. When it comes to you I am nothing but giving. I just wish you’d take.

* Yes, I know, "Anthropomorphism" is too many syllables, but it's one word. Give me a break!

 

 

Other Haiku
haiku about other things...obviously

Tracing the patterns Old fingers on kitchen floor Man remembers child Stacks of yellow-gold leaves Need me to rearrange them I’ll be right back, boss. Microwave bell rings “End” flashes over and over Does it know something? Old men past perfect Grim glimpses of future tense Hard grammar lesson I bought a "nerd" suit. I got it for Halloween. No, this isn't it. Christmas time is here! A time for love and giving. Sooo, where's my present? I’m a cat, silly, Seventeen syllables can Never capture me.

“When Haiku Poets Fall Ill” I guzzle Nyquil To hide my pain and sorrow Life is *cough*  *wheeze* *gack!*     “Haiku for a High School Nerd (circa 1982)” His narrow shoulders Are sometimes just broad enough To hold his backpack

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