Wednesday, February 11, 2009

A Few Haiku for You!

"A haiku is the expression of a temporary enlightenment, in which we see into the life of things."
~ R. H. Blyth

"Haiku are short, unrhymed poems that describe a special moment in nature as it has been perceived by the poet and which pertain in some way to the human experience." ~Jeanne Emrich

"Poetry is an orphan of silence. The words never quite equal the experience behind them. "~ Charles Simic


Today I offer for your enjoyment a few of my Haiku poems. I am still struggling with the Haiku class that I am taking on-line. Some of you may remember the class that I thought I'd whip out in a couple of weeks. I have finished a bunch of other classes and still I am trying to whip out this class. Who would have ever known a poem that appears so simple would have so many rules. Just about the time I think I have one of the rules figured out they throw another one at me. Then I break that one and a few more. I have finally finished with 12 of the 17 classes. I have learned how to set up a haiku using several different techniques. I have learned about the difference between traditional and contemporary haiku. I did finally finish the class on sudden awareness. I thought I'd never get that right. I think it was the hardest class so far.

I have learned so much. I have broken all of the rules. I have to write and re-write a dozen times for some of these three line poems. I have tried to forget about all the rules I learned in school since none of those apply any more. I have wanted to slap my own hands because my mind says use capitals and the new rules say ~ Not in Haiku! I guess you could say that I was wrong about whipping this class out in a couple of weeks. But at least I am proud that It hasn't whipped me YET! I have wanted to quit. I have threatened my computer that I was going to quit. I told Dave that the teacher hated me and I was going to quit. I even told the teacher I might have to quit~ He completely ignored that remark as if I hadn't even said it. He even told me that I was close but not close enough ~ please re-write!

I love Haiku. I love the "ah ha" Moment that makes my little three lined poem a haiku! I love the idea of sharing an image in less than seventeen words. My next class deals with the shape of Haiku. I guess this will be another new rule. Or maybe another technique that I haven't tried yet. I haven't looked the assignment over completely. I was so thrilled that I only had to do one re-write on the last class that I am still celebrating. I was even more thrilled when the teacher told me I had come a long way! He even said he like the Haiku about the fiddler sleeping. ~ Finally I made him say "ah ha!" ~ I am glad I haven't quit the class. I promised myself today that I was a stubborn proud woman and that I will finish this class. Shoot; I might even whip out what's left of it in a couple of weeks now.... But I will finish it even if it takes me till next year this time or longer.

Please enjoy my Haiku today! Try to see something beautiful or ironic in Nature today! Try to find an "Ah Ha" Moment of your own! Have a wonderful day!

Patsy




Fishing

tattered cattail tufts
sway in a chilly breeze~
we fish for supper


Written By: Patricia Sawyer
1-25-2009


Lazy Musician

Easter Sunday
in a tide pool conch~
a fiddler sleeps

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
2-9-2009



After the Storm

afternoon storm~
at the bottom of the falls
a basket of single flip flops

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
2-9-2009


Falling Flight

three black crows
sip from a wild cherry tree~
a drunken fall

Written By: Patricia Sawyer
8-20-2008

8 comments:

Big Time said...

Hey Patsy,

I like them but I don't always understand them. I am glad you are taking these classes and explaining things here. I have even learned a few things because of it. Thanks. I love you. Reuben

Anonymous said...

love the haikus. keep em coming!

Geri O'Hara said...

I love the imagery and the amostphere that you invoked in your Haiku...(loved Lazy musician) Keep up the good EXCELLENT work thanks for sharing

Pblacksaw said...

Big time~ Sometimes they have to be thought about before you have that ah ha Moment.. But I am glad you enjoy my writing. Love you!

Artist victoria o'neill~ Thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed your visit! Please visit me again!

Geri Ohara~ Thanks for stopping by. I liked that one too.. I actually brought that fiddler home and watched him sleep for a full month before I decided to return him to a tide pool.. As soon as he hit familiar sand he scurried away. and went under some big rocks.. never to be captured by me again! Please visit me again.

I hope all have a fantastic Valentines Day!
Patsy

Anonymous said...

Just so you know - haikus are always 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables on the second line, and 5 syllables on the third line. This seems to be a steadfast rule. But I like your imagery.

Pblacksaw said...

Anon~ Those were the old rules.. That is one of the rules I have had to forget. They now say use as few syllables as possible. I write some with the old rule of 5-7-5 too though. These were all wrote for the class I'm taking and they say less than 17 all together.. and the teacher hates the 5-7-5 rule.. But thanks for stopping by today!
Patsy

Camella Black said...

loved them... as for the rules, the art of Japannese Haiku still follows the rules, though they don't always stick to the 5-7-5; however American poets and others are now venturing into new ground... you go girl!

Angela said...

These are wonderful. I especially like the last one! Thanks for sharing your hard work:)