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I subscribe to a different approach to Haikus, partially it comes from Haiku Handbook: How to Write, Share, and Teach Haiku -- by William J. Higginson. I go for a more minimal syllable count, less than 5/7/5. I ignore punctuation. I'm willing to take both physical images and internal states as valid for observation. Less traditionally, I'm willing to bend line's sylable counts sometimes -as long as the total is under 12. Changes in styles reflect, my opinions on forms at that time. | |
| I'd also like to try to revive the Tanka among those of my friends that like haiku, and occasionally write them. Some of those friends were inspired to try their hand at haiku in part by reading Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. Cf., Cryptonimicon FAQ. Although some others have been inspired to write Japanese poetry for other reasons, including capturing and maintaining a sense of wonder, a mental stance of awareness of the here, and now- approaching a western interpretation of Zen/Chan. . | ||
| All poetry on this page is Copyright 2004, Curtis O'Neal | ||
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Some Haikus: No one said they were great, just what I see. |
Paul's Haiku | 10-14-05, Tanka for Shandor | 10-15-05 |
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Grandfather lies cold, His shell left behind stone still, Memories fill me. Images: ball, walks, mushrooms, How-di ma'm, learning, stories. |
Sky blue patches hang, behind Indigo clouds drap'd, Thick darkeness breaks, dawn. |
09-26-2005 | 10-3-2005 |
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Dark clouds form a roof Tilted slash across white sky A moment, rain-drops |
mullberry clouds lit pink, underside fades to grey, lonesome radio |
| 08-29-2005 | 08-30-2005 |
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Clouds blend -whose softness Defies words, lay in golden Splendor. Rose Sunset. |
Fog. Katrina comes. Experience flows jambled, Syllables shape thoughts. |
| 08-23-2005 | 08-25-2005 |
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Grey cloud bellies hang, Pale sky pushes them along, Mind is not empty. |
Trapp'd by fast traffic, Stuck in stopped left lane see- Rainbow in side mirror. |
| 05-6-2005a | 05-6-2005b |
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Magenta tree seen, Sparks thoughts of prayer-as-action, Desire to chop wood. |
E-talks with old friend Recalls yester-person-hood Blending was/will-be* Note: was/will-be is a verb form used in Asimov's movie "Light Years." It is used by a prescient race of mutants for things/events that come in circles or seem to repeat themselves to complete themselves. |
| 5/02/2005 | 4/28/2005 |
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Stark magenta blooms Tree lounges across work route Beauty engages |
with-out pink sunshine grim pain grips heart eyes tear brim squinting at nothing |
| 2/3/2005 | 4-24-05 |
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Inside, grey sky cold - Needle-fine rain, obscures sight. Outside: blowing flakes. |
Pink tulip-tree blooms snow piled on each driven to- fall by slushy wind. |
| 11-5-04 Rte 90 | 10-28-04 |
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Driving past bare trees Chill sky, large grey clouds in rows Frame: trees, cars, fall grass |
Falling from bright trees Against wet black trunks -blue sky Yellow leaves rock-fall |
| 11-9-04 | 11-10-04A |
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Happy moment gone Strong willed child doesn't get way Screams the whole ride home |
Tension wells in throat Juggling past-due bills, timing Against deposits |
| 11-9-04 | 11-11-04 |
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Purple grey white clouds, surprising. Noticed through thoughts, in morning rush hour |
Historical news. Arafat died. World holds breathe. Will peace start, or burn? |
| 11-20-04 | 12-10-04b |
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Brilliant red tree, Surounded by bare black trunks, Standing in green grass Quad. |
Waiting at blank screen, Norton Antivirus says, "Tampered." Will it start? |
| 10/29/04 | 06/17-04 |
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Fog supports trees sunlight slants over bricks, roofs Cars wind on park road |
So sweet block garden On well meaning tractor treads Your end creeps closer |
| 5-26-04 | 05/26-04b? |
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Dust graphitti On a truck says :-) Makes me smile |
Dead white seagull lies In road twisted, turns out its A lost Teddy bear |
| 04-16-03c | 04-16-03b |
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Infant son bounces, In bungie jumpin' thingie- In self-wonder coos |
Infant son gnaws on, Daddy's finger, rubs tongue along, His nail, whorls- rapt |
| 04-16-03d | 03-25-03 |
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Purchasing training Expense accounts reconciled Head pounds, brain itches |
Long Auburn Hair’d Girl Long Auburn Stalks in Field Spring’s Green, Surise’s Gold |
| 3/17/2003a | 3/17/2003b |
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Students come out to sun, Gasping earthworms after rain, Plish goes the sun block |
Walking to the beat, Rap pours from frat’s stereo, Spring sun shines from cars |
| 07/28/02 | 03/27/02 |
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a startling sound my own laugh long since last heard |
Bright! snow blind, Eire's "North Coast," Gets reprieve. |
| 03/10?/02 | 01-15-02 |
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Red leaf buds, Crushed under foot, Spring snow surrounds |
Bad grade in old class, Will not stop my new movement, Autumn Chill in Janu’ry |
| 01-07-02 | 10-25-01b |
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Shoulder aches, Snowflakes grip eyelashes, Wind-made tears |
Wind blows in my face Tickles across my scalp, chill Co-eds walk to class |
| 11-15-01 | 11-16-01A |
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Plants leaning Captured dried cold Autumn block garden |
Waiting in motion Relief an unknown distance Tension as endless |
11-16-01B | 11-14-01 Tenka |
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Helping Phds Presenting work on child care County listens |
A slip of the tongue Saying just the wrong thing Tearing eyes can't breathe Why can't I just listen When she speaks her heart again? |
| 10/05/01 for 10/04 C | 10/3/01 4:00:12 PM |
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Walking in sunlight Rubbing yellow leaves on chin A cat nuzzling, God |
Sniffing at my desk Preparing for class's test Its been three years, tense |
| 10-24-01 | 10-16-01 |
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Dead dog in gutter White flea collar, tags shining A friend chasing rot |
Rainbow in dark rain Sunrise marvel during war Awestruck: God or Sci’nce? |
| 10-15-01 | 10-10-01 |
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Sunflowers in cold Bending strong in autumn winds Office-house looms squat |
Looking forward to…? Planning life/enjoying now- What is life about? |