Poetry In Good Form: HAIKU

 

by

 

Mona Hodgson

 

 

 

If we, poets, are stuck in a rut or feel stilted in our creative expression, it may be because we’re reluctant to try some new poetic dance steps. That’s one of the beauties of poetry—it’s not confined to one rhythm, to one beat, or to one foot-pattern. The poet has a plethora of models to choose from when she’s ready to put legs on her thoughts. Consider Haiku.

 

Haiku Is…

 

Haiku is a 16^th century Japanese form of poetry written in syllabic verse, rather than in metered verse. The traditional pattern consists of seventeen syllables in three lines. Five syllables in the first line. Seven syllables in the second line. And five syllables, again, in the third line. Basically, a haiku is a broad picture woven into three little lines. No titles are attached in traditional haiku, but, as in the following example, I title mine for easy identification.

 

Exercise in Thanksgiving

 

With sunlit push-ups

patio lizards give thanks

for warm summer rays. MH

 

As you can see, word economy is vital. The 17-syllable format leaves no space for wordy commentary or sloppy word choices. The form requires specificity in word choice, consequently the poet learns to pick and choose words like a gourmet chef selects his spices. The haiku poet must develop the discipline of writing tight. The best haiku penetrates to the heart of its theme in a sudden epiphany demanding  an emotional response in the reader.

 

In true Japanese form, the imagery in haiku comes from nature and must contain the name of or reference to a season as in my poem, Exercise in Thanksgiving. This tradition requires the poet to pay attention; observe and absorb life around them.

 

Your Turn      

 

If you’re not sure where to start, take your poetry notebook on an excursion—you choose the place.

 

Examine the terrain, birds, animals, insects, people, litter, graffiti, foliage…. Remembering that you’re going to write a tight word picture, think specific details as you record your impressions. Include any ideas, concepts, or comparisons that occur to you.

Here’s the list of images and descriptions I noted during a Winter walk around my block in the shadow of Mingus Mountain in central Arizona.

 

Winter

Black mountain

White snow

Contrast

Cone

Cupcake                                                                                 

 

After your excursion, match the images you gathered on your outing. Add any new impressions, images, and concepts. For instance, I made the comparison of snow to frosting. Then arrange several of these image-groupings into three-line units. With some revision and maybe a little reorganization, you’ll have a haiku. This process resulted in my haiku, Winter Dessert.

 

Frosted mountains sit   

like chocolate cupcakes for   

our winter dessert. MH

 

Devotional Haiku

 

While traditional haiku brings little gems from the Orient, devotional haiku can carry truths gleaned from God’s entire Kingdom. Devotional haiku reaches through and, perhaps, beyond nature to delve into the nature of its Creator. Your haiku can sketch simple lines of scenes—fragile or majestic—that point subtly and quietly to the Creator.

 

Restoration

 

Mender of broken

wings position my grounded

spirit for above. MH

 

Read your Bible with new vigor, and a pen and pad. You’ll find many verses and chapters lend themselves to devotional haiku. Here’s one of mine based on I Corinthians 10:16-17.

 

Communion

 

Bread and Wine, broken

and poured out, Jesus calls us

all to feast on Him. MH

 

 

Stanzas

 

Not only can you find poetic topics in the Bible, but you can combine truth from nature with spiritual truth. We can do this figuratively as in Restoration or literally as I did in the following haiku sequence. 

 

Updraft

 

Superficial masks

shed, caterpillars explore

their dormant airfoils.

 

In triumphant flight

color-splashed butterflies soar

on brisk hatching winds.

 

Lord, help me shed my

masks of pretense, embrace growth,

and glide in your breath. MH    

 

The first two stanzas relate to nature and the third one addresses the spiritual relationship or comparison.

 

Haiku offers endless creative possibilities and a fun course on writing succinctly. Enjoy!

 

 

NOTES:

 

Exercise in Thanksgiving was first published in Inklings, 1994.

 

Winter Dessert was first published in Trails ‘N’ Treasures, 1999.

 

Restoration was first published in Christian Living, 1996.

 

Updraft was first published in Bible Advocate, 1996.