Poetry -Haiku

Poetry – The Haiku.

From – treehugger.com

Photo- tableatny/CC by 2.0

After reading some Haiku poetry in a writing magazine I thought I might have a go. The rules seem straight forward, or at least on my first attempts. Frustrated, I became distracted with some brief research on the subject. My brief notes are:

The origin of this form of poetry is attributed to the Japanese poet Matsuo Basho who lived during the 17^th century. (1644-1694).

The basic components of the poem are; its set length of three lines, key elements of time and nature in the content and with a finish on the last line with an important epiphany or turn, it does not have a title nor does it rhyme.

The poem is constructed with three lines and traditionally contains only seventeen syllables, although some Haiku writers apparently argue for a variation on the syllable count. Nevertheless, to remain true to the original form a Haiku is structured;

1^st Line – 5 syllables.

2^nd Line – 7 syllables.

3^rd Line – 5 syllables.

 

Here are some of my attempts:

******

Clear white winter moon

Shining through the ozone gap

Lonely polar bear.

****(Time-winter. Nature-moon)****

 

Snow-flakes softly fall

On lovers, who kiss farewell

Broken hearts forever.

****(Time-winter. Nature-snow)****

 

Earth’s stomach ruptures

World shaking with after thoughts

One-minute silence.

****(Time-seconds. Nature-an earthquake)****

 

Water is life’s thirst

And waves wash death on land

Old man floating free.

****(Time-Vulnerability of life. Nature Tsunami)****