Traditional Haiku

Traditional Japanese Haiku demands a total of 17 syllables in lines of 5 – 7 – 5. That is a not a lot of words to play with. It must make more sense to compose and read Haiku in Japanese characters. While it is difficult to achieve the same effect (with a comparable economy of words) in English, it is not impossible. It is a worthy discipline as it focuses on simple words to evoke complex, often thought-provoking imagery.

Here are some Saturday afternoon (post-lunch) examples to peruse:

Make your haiku less
than seventeen syllables?
It will not be blessed.

I confused a pen
with penis and wrote in blood.
I am so ashamed.

Tranquil waters weep
for hidden dangers lurking.
Surface mirrors life.

Dog in manger cries,
springs with maniacal fury.
Frustration denied.

Itching nose demands
scratching with the proper hand.
Nothing satisfies.

The bell tolls for thee,
if you hear it all is well.
Silent eulogy.

Echoing heartbeats
defining tranquility.
Life's simple rythmn.