[1]
Fuzzy stellar cloud
Glowing red as blooming rose.
Birthplace of new stars!
[2]
He lifts sharp eyes. “Look!
It will shortly impact earth!”
Burning asteroid!
[3]
Comet’s long white tail
Streaks brilliant through nighttime skies.
Star magnificent!
[4]
Moved a foot of snow,
Cut through heavy solid ice:
Quiet fish world, peace.
[5]
Scooped a foot of snow,
Cut through heavy solid ice:
Quiet world below!
[6]
Heavy snow removed,
Winter’s frozen lake cut through reveals
Deep within, fishes’ wonderland of peace.
What is a Haiku? (pronounced: HI-koo)(same spelling singular or plural) It is a very short poem originating in Japan. It traditionally has seventeen syllables arranged in three lines, with the first having five syllables, the second seven, and the third five. One poet defines haiku as first flash, second recognition, third afterthought, or in a second definition: two polarized thoughts fused by a flash of recognition. The haiku employs highly stimulating comparisons, often on the theme of nature or the seasons, and concludes with sudden illumination (“ah-ha”).
There are numerous American variations of the Japanese version. For example, the first and third lines can rhyme as in #5 above; the (5-7-5) syllable arrangement can be (2-6-2), (3-8-3), (6-2-4) or whatever. Some poets use more syllables and more lines, and some write haiku in sequence; which is to say that once you know the rules feel free to break them in creative poetry.
Notice that in the above haiku #1, #2 and #3 are on different subjects on the theme of astronomy, all metered (5-7-5) and unrhymed. Notice also that #4, #5 and #6 are all about a frozen lake, with #4 unrhymed and metered (5-7-5), #5 rhymed and metered (5-7-5), and #6 free verse and unmetered (5-9-10).
(March 1997)