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"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
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
