Some Haiku

By Margie Moore

[Margie sent haiku and senryu to her friends for Christmas. Below is a selection from them. We have also included the explanation of these poetic forms, which she wrote for her friends. - Rosemary (Facilitator)]

My Christmas gift to you is this smattering of mixed haiku & senryu – uncommon poetry styles – which originated in Japan but are blossoming in the English-speaking world, too. They look simple, but are harder to write than you realise until you have a go.

The focus of most English adaptations of haiku is on syllable counts: specifically, 5 syllables in the first line; 7 in the second and 5 again, in the third line.

The main objective is to show something important in a simple way, evocatively and without too much detail.

That is to say, the whole meaning that’s conveyed will be something greater than just the three small lines each poem fills.

Another way of explaining these styles of poetry is to say “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”. You might simply say that the aim is to “show and not tell”.

Some poetry along these lines rhymes, but many – including my own – don’t.

The main difference between haiku & senryu – as I understand it – is that haiku speaks mainly about the writer in relation to the outer world.

Traditionally – but not exclusively – haiku is written about something a particular season evokes in the writer.

Senryu, on the other hand, connects with the writer’s inner or intrapersonal world.

The poems may, or may not, be titled. Here goes!


SEASONAL HAIKU

SUMMER

Arnhem Land

Stunning clouds gather
Restless, listless, comfort-less
Fabulous downpour!


AUTUMN

I come upon them
Down every street I wander
Delightful colour


I no longer need
An evening rug to keep me warm
Anticipation


WINTER

…in Canberra

Thin white covering
Crisp crackles under foot steps
Hot chocolate heaven!


Comfort food is good
- hang the extra weight put on -
I must be warmer!


SPRING

Gardening

Hopefully watching
Rejoicing eventually
At the small green things


The Sea

As my bones thaw out
My restless body, again
Yearns to float in Her


Soft caressing, as
You gently carry me
I love you, ocean


Moths

They fly in frenzy
On their rapturous journey
To their bright heaven


MISCELLANEOUS [not seasonal]:

Anniversary

On a sunny day
It’s raining inside my skin
As grief permeates


As I miss you again
I buy this treat you favoured
It tastes sweet and sad


Desert

Hating the Dark Night
Surprised by bloom in desert
Suddenly hopeful


Disability 1

Interrogation!
Pretend it’s not there, my chair
We’ve only just met


Disability 2

Pretend it’s not there,
My chair, and I won’t quiz
you, about your health


Dusk

Drawing my curtain
Sudden eyeball with gecko
Wonderful wildlife!


Grief

Still numb with sorrow
Shall I then play sad music
to hasten healing?


Haiku

Some folk can’t see it –
how three lines can excite us
Sometimes less is more


Loving Differently Now

Incrementally
Learning to stop loving you
What a waste it is


Love springs eternal
Despite many betrayals
Even so, good bye


A Result of Chronic Pain

Abundant time now,
Learning to be a “human
be-ing’” not do-ing


Photography

Oh, that’s riveting!
Click – the moment is frozen
My heart is singing


Sparky 1
[Sparky is my friend’s cat]

Soft paw pats my cheek
Loving purring in my ear
A new day is here


Sparky 2

Completely mute
Yet you speak so eloquently,
beloved feline


Snorkelling

Translucent swimmer
I watch you through my goggles
Tiny jelly-fish


Last, but not least, this is not haiku or senryu but I’ve got a bit of space and I like this little poem of mine, so here goes:


Re-creation

If I could form myself a form
a fish I’d be
No gravity, free


All these haiku are © M A Moore 2007.