Western Haiku Thread

[Buffalo Head '75]

my love of haikus is great. In the Western tradition - try writing your own.

basically you just need three lines. because english and japanese don't really match syllable wise, you may forgoe the 17 syllable rule.

I will start us off. Hope others will join. Try to be spontaneous. Kinda like the random thoughts thread.

haikus often involve the season or something of nature or both.

but seriously, western-style, whatever you want. Basho won't mind. He's dead.

[Buffalo Head '75]

cold tiles chill feet
refreshing spring evening
benzos calm me

alright - let's see what you can come up with!

[Buffalo Head '75]

the thread is wildly popular I see.

ok, I will have another go.

creaking metal bridge
Merrimack River rages
sculls speed by

[Buffalo Head '75]

mouse clicks
-- words typed
the forum lives

[Buffalo Head '75]

tension builds
hide under desk
work sucks

[Buffalo Head '75]

crickets chirp
-- dead thread
boring haiku

[Buffalo Head '75]

open earth
mourners bow heads
casket lowers

[PEACE FROG]

Horn blows
Car swerves past
middle finger

[PEACE FROG]

beer bottles
she's with me
last call

[PEACE FROG]

Homemade package
Free lip balm
Tikki Butts

[Buffalo Head '75]

hey - that wasn't half bad.

I think we are both doing senya (or something like that)
but whatever. We have some serious Eastern flair going here.

come on people... write something.

P. Frog and I can't carry the poetry thread alone.

write some poetry or perhaps some prose.

write something stupid, write something loose
write something that rhymes, write something not worth a dime.

Just friggin' write something.

[PEACE FROG]

Busily sweeps
Modest neat appearance
Honored Grandma

[Buffalo Head '75]

Gaston's on
lurking threads
start writing

[PEACE FROG]

Mean Boss
Company going under
crappy job

[Buffalo Head '75]

payday
survived this work week
box up my stuff

[Buffalo Head '75]

fresh cut grass
spittin' sunflower seeds
playball!

[hedgewitch]

Sunday morning
Sun shining
I am smiling

[Hippie Staff]

dead gopher
shrill morning screams
bad cat

[Buffalo Head '75]

some of these are threatening to be decent haikus with a little pop.

nervous hands
retype words of love
cyber romance

rain
flooding storm drains
cleansing my thoughts

[PEACE FROG]

Safeway merlot
neighbors hot wife
BBQ tri-tip

[PEACE FROG]

Watchful sees eyeful
Capri pants Dye job cleavage
small talk smiling lips

[PEACE FROG]

Pleasant Valley mind
I'm tore up from the floor up
Spring noon, sweet red wine

[PEACE FROG]

Dad, laid back, calm cool
Mom's reformed success story
Daddy's secret stash...

[hedgewitch]

Cup of tea
Joy to me
On a Monday morning

[Buffalo Head '75]

warm cider
old electric stove
grandma's house

[Buffalo Head '75]

Here is Kerouac's description of what he feels the Western Haiku should be comprised of.... it's from one of his books and then someone else's website.

"The "haiku" was invented and developed over hundreds of years in Japan to be a complete poem in seventeen syllables and to pack in a whole vision of life in three short lines. A "Western Haiku" need not concern itself with the seventeen syllables since Western languages cannot adapt themselves to the fluid syllabic Japanese. I propose that the "Western Haiku" simply say a lot in three short lines in any Western language. Above all, a Haiku must be very simple and free of all poetic trickery and make a little picture and yet be as airy and graceful as a Vivaldi Pastorella."

[PEACE FROG]

5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables
Thats what the haiku website said. :)

[LIBRA]

dirty bird tastes so sweet
Swollen beaks sneak a peak
eyes may roam uuh ohh

[PEACE FROG]

^ saucey ;)

[LIBRA]

disgruntled employee
hates to work for free
oh the drama it will be

sorry I know its not supposed to rhythm but thats harder then I thought it would be,lol

[hedgewitch]

5 syllables
7 syllables
5 syllables
Thats what the haiku website said. :)


I thought that was your Haiku.....

:hippie:

[Buffalo Head '75]

5-7-5 is more geared towards onji than english.

3-5-3 is a lot closer to the Japanese tradition. But if you read Basho you will see all kinds of variations.

Libra - we will take rhyming... I am just glad to see people writing.

bruins
stalk sockeye grounds
blood red waterfall

[Buffalo Head '75]

I thought that was your Haiku.....

:hippie:that was excellent! Touche

[Buffalo Head '75]

orange glow
fades into river
sailor's delight

halogens
buzz house windows
speeding cars trapped

[LIBRA]

work thats never done
piles upon piles
its only just begun

[PEACE FROG]

Chance at redemption
Over medicated rant
Angry at myself

[PEACE FROG]

Confined to wheelchair
Eight surgeries before five
Running in my dreams

[PEACE FROG]

Compost leaves manure
Commutes baby sits grownups
Modern frontier mom

[LIBRA]

perfect ;)


morning sunshines on
regardless of the clouds
mind is free, open ahh.

[Buffalo Head '75]

ok, further haiku explanation reveals that you are supposed to be in the present revealing just a snap shot of an event.

but these are pretty good so just do what you want.

:)

calendar
filled with deadlines
that I won't meet.

[LIBRA]

thats what I did!!! super!!

[Buffalo Head '75]

^yours was a very good example!

[PEACE FROG]

Morning news with dad
Boy studies dad's expressions
Boy learns compassion




My son watches my face as I drive. We listen to news on public radio. This morning they are talking about people starving in Egypt, the war and Mr. Carters visit to Israel. He sees the gambit of emotions displayed on my face as I sigh, wince, sneer and sometimes tear up. I can feel his eyes, he used to say, "whats wrong dad"? Nowadays he knows what's wrong, I still feel him watching me but he looks concerned as well. I love this boy.

[Buffalo Head '75]

car ride
bond between father and son
public radio

[LIBRA]

raising sons
no better way
good men to be

[Buffalo Head '75]

Son questions father
whether just men fight in war
both sit in silence

[PEACE FROG]

OOOH Andy this is good^

[PEACE FROG]

Trying on suits
nothing seems to fit
Looking for God

[Buffalo Head '75]

^not bad yourself!

I think we are finally getting the hang of this thing. when I wrote that haiku it felt inspired.

[hedgewitch]

haiku..... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiku)

[PEACE FROG]

So what doth thou sayest witch? 2, 5 and 2 or 5, 7 and 5 what do you like best? I am so having a blast either way!!! :D ;)

[hedgewitch]

Either way I reckon froggy - I was a bit confuzzled over the "proper" way of writing Haiku's....but who cares. I'll be un-proper if everone else will.
:D

[Buffalo Head '75]

a lot of people today omit the seasonal word, and their should be a pause after the 1st or 2nd line although thankfully that usually comes naturally anyways.

there is an american haiku society that defines haiku but why bother?

the spirit of the haiku is what is important.

[LIBRA]

I like unproper :D And it likes me,lol

[PEACE FROG]

I-I-I don't want any problem with the American Haiku Society.... ;)


Banging on the door
Should have haiku'd other way
Haiku Gestapo


5
7
5

[Buffalo Head '75]

I-I-I don't want any problem with the American Haiku Society.... ;)


Banging on the door
Should have haiku'd other way
Haiku Gestapo


5
7
5
I hear they have whips and chains... but then again, if your into whips and chains I say go

3
6
5

[PEACE FROG]

Early spring road trip
D'harma bum in a sedan
Realizing his dreams

[PEACE FROG]

Mama's wild Jeep ride
Eyebrows flap, baby giggles
Mama loves that boy.

[Buffalo Head '75]

Early spring road trip
D'harma bum in a sedan
Realizing his dreams
Hey! It's a hatchback. :)

orange sun rises
boiling Merrimack River
over the bridge I go.

I am out of here tomorrow morning peeps! Car is somewhat packed.

[Buffalo Head '75]

Meg the Keg
inebriated hippy
dreaming of websites

[PEACE FROG]

Tires squeal, busted glass
Free fall, wet is my forehead
Hope someone finds me

[Buffalo Head '75]

I am lost
freedom overtakes me
unnamed destination

Super 8
looking forward to
stale donuts and coffee

I gotta finda a supahmahket. I could use some snack food. I am out of funyuns and this is getting critical. Still have the 3 gallons of water I packed though.

[PEACE FROG]

Scared to leave the house
Third day in my underwear
Pop tarts and Oprah

[Buffalo Head '75]

stink eminates
from down below
kenmore calls me

[LIBRA]

eew^ LOL

[PEACE FROG]

The change that's needed
Charismatic crusader
unelectable

[LIBRA]

Stale coffee after taste
gotta have it cant complain
buzz around the office ya

[PEACE FROG]

Cling to your firearms
Trust in GOD pass the ammo
Cling to religion

[Hippie Staff]

Trying to do five
But you all require seven
My head spins twice. Ouch.

[PEACE FROG]

Abducted tourist
Andy meets Buffalo Bob
Lotion on its skin

[PEACE FROG]

Can't say what I think
What I am really feeling
In the house of God

[Buffalo Head '75]

soft mattress
relaxes body
overdue sleep

[PEACE FROG]

Brave the wilderness
Exploration adventure
Tent in my back yard

Direction unknown
Cautious steps seeking to find
The way, truth and life

[LIBRA]

heart hurts all the time

too sensitive for mankind

wont ever change nope

[Buffalo Head '75]

vagabond-
wanders past
the Mexican border

brown leaves
fill the empty space
of shallow graves

dust bunnies
overrun the tiled
bathroom floor

[PEACE FROG]

Really good job, both of you. Glad you started this thread Andrew.

[PEACE FROG]

Bouquet of roses
Co-workers green with envy
Tall walking mom smiles

[LIBRA]

Awww thats great Ed, I bet you made her day :D You did send flowers right.....:bud:


Did you see the dream thread? lol

[Buffalo Head '75]

Really good job, both of you. Glad you started this thread Andrew.thank you sir.
I really believe that art in all forms is a universal language. I thought it might bring out some creativity and if nothing else would be good to get some people out and writing.

the hippy community is nothing without art. that has always been a staple of it and it always should be.

[Buffalo Head '75]

does god own
- this house
or do the faithful?

[LIBRA]

sweet country breeezes
small porches full of flowers
the music soaks me


dirty feet seeds sown
sweat poured rush of excitement
mother earth and I

[NCW_Woodnymph]

Oh, Libra I love those! So perfect for spring. :D

:hippie:

[Buffalo Head '75]

Come on Candice... join in.

Libra, that second one was really cool. I dig that.

The last line especially.

[LIBRA]

thanks :D those explained my day yesterday!

[Buffalo Head '75]

electric talk box
distortion overtakes senses
Hendrix wails on

[PEACE FROG]

Dirty butterflies
Working Gods best creation
Green touch loving hands

[LIBRA]

^ love it!!!!

[PEACE FROG]

Challenging past time
Thoughts into words made to fit
Haiku's with Andy

[Pedata]

Frogs creak at the rain
I cannot find my blender
What was the question?

[Buffalo Head '75]

reckless abandon
in under 2 minutes
rockaway beach

[NCW_Woodnymph]

Curious
Beautiful life lived well
Why so short?

:hippie:

[NCW_Woodnymph]

Dead children in China
Tears in the dishwater
Why God why?

[LIBRA]

Me too Woodnymph, I cried all morning watchin the news online. Only my tears were on my keyboard.

[Buffalo Head '75]

Dead children in China
Tears in the dishwater
Why God why?
hey, your good at this. although I am thinking that this was a good time to take a break from the news.

it is just so depressing.

[Buffalo Head '75]

who decides which
piece of wood gets split
by my axe?

[PEACE FROG]

Wow Andy that must've been some date. Was it the "easy lay" or a different gal?

[Buffalo Head '75]

Wow Andy that must've been some date. Was it the "easy lay" or a different gal?it's hard when your as cool as me, they are just all over you.

I believe the poem was referring to the randomness of the reaper.

[Hippie Staff]

This floor has cancer
and droopy flower bouquets
Upstairs newborns cry

[Pedata]

it's hard when your as cool as me, they are just all over you.

I believe the poem was referring to the randomness of the reaper.

I thought it showed the indecisiveness of a bored woodcutter.

[Buffalo Head '75]

I thought it showed the indecisiveness of a bored woodcutter.I think it speaks well to the lumberjack or beaver population as well.

[Buffalo Head '75]

This floor has cancer
and droopy flower bouquets
Upstairs newborns cry
Aw, Meggles... get yourself out of the hospital!

hypochondriac
paces the waiting room
diagnosing himself

[PEACE FROG]

A pretty blond smile
Red face sweat, hair tied top notch
moms break from her kids


Training back and forth
Children learn the ancient art
A journey begins


Determination
Proving they have what it takes
Bruises turn to character

[PEACE FROG]

Last tour, homeward bound
Saying goodbye to Baghdad
Stray shot changes plans


Going home afraid
Back to the world, scared, ashamed
The needle doesn't mind


Innocence for oil
My child's life redeemed at the pumps
Sport utility

[Buffalo Head '75]

media tuned out
outside world forgotten
anxiety subsides

I am done with the news. I have come to realize that my life only effects others in the manner in which I act. It has no direct effect on political policy, worldly events and so forth. If I act kind, someone will return that kindness and if that kindness spreads, it is my honest belief that politics of the day will be based on compassion.

Everything else is just hear-say and conjecture and pisses me off.

[Buffalo Head '75]

halfway house
wandering vagabond
canned brown bread

[PEACE FROG]

Sweetness drips my tongue
Mouth watering slides down my throat
Sweet clover honey

[PEACE FROG]

Sometimes three or four
Haiku writing discipline
Why can't you do it?

[Buffalo Head '75]

burning toast
fills kitchen with smoke
Saturday morning

[LIBRA]

burnt dandy coffee
makes my tongue cringe in fear
my mind is racing

bike rack not installed
into the wild we both go
we are going to freeze

new tent old gear
dog in back surrounded
the kid in front free

packed way too much food
overstuffed blankets galore
case of beer maybe need more

Have a wonderfull weekend everyone!!!!!:hb:

[puffinstuff]

I searched my screen name
and only this site came up
that was a bit odd

not very busy
but then never realy was
just a folk or two