Alright, so I recently took up writing haikus, as many of you know, and am having a fantastic time. I’ve posted one thus far, and have three others scheduled, and then this weeked?
Well, along with the other writing I’ll do, I plan to spend time reflecting upon new ideas for a few more haikus.
What am I learning? Good question. A lot actually. Let’s take a look.
Haikus
A haiku is a poem, which was created in Japan in the 9th century, that contains a 5-7-5 syllable sound pattern, which is elegant, beautiful, and challenging to craft. There are a few distinctions between traditional haikus, and more contemporary haikus.
For instance, in traditional haikus, there are some very explicit rules. Here is an example, taken from Your Dictionary.
There are only three lines, totaling 17 syllables.
The first line is 5 syllables.
The second line is 7 syllables.
The third line is 5 syllables like the first.
Punctuation and capitalization are up to the poet, and need not follow the rigid rules used in structuring sentences.
A haiku does not have to rhyme, in fact usually it does not rhyme at all.
As you conduct more research, however, you find that contemporary haikus are less strict, and can take on numerous forms, as you can see from the above example. It’s super interesting, and a lovely learning experience.
Tanka
There is also a poem called the tanka, created in Japan in the 7th century. Unlike the haiku, which is 17 syllables, the tanka is a 31 syllable poem, typically in the syllable sound pattern, 5-7-5-7-7.
Here is an example of a tanka poem.
八雲立つ 出雲八重垣 妻籠みに 八重垣作る その八重垣を
Layers of cloud in the sky I am here, ‘Izumo’ country to protect my sweet wife I will make layers of fences eight layered surrounding our home
Now, I am just taking up writing haikus, so tankas will have to wait, yet there are similarities between the two; and, in fact, a tanka (the 7-7 sound pattern) can be added to the haiku. It might, then, look something like this, using my first haiku as an example.
Slowly, the rain falls, we rejoice in the moment. And then it is gone. I await the next moment, frenzied feeling of delight.
Together we stand on the Tracks again, without noticing the Time it takes To meander into The rainfall of uncertainty, and, yes also possibilities That
Run together, just like the tracks up ahead Rife with news, and details of a new life, Radiating on the lines, you can almost feel them humming with Robust anticipation,
And, a sense of mystery Anew, and Altogether renewed, my friend, was it Always so clear, or is it merely because we Are beside each other again?
Inside I wonder, while outside there Is thunder, on the horizon of my mind, and I think about the possibilities, and get excited Intuitively knowing they outweigh the
Nebulous uncertainty, which comes Now and then, however Never fear, for we are together at last, on a line with No past, only a bright future up ahead, as we hold hands, and Notice the feelings we share, which are, and always will be our common thread.
In response to the WDYS #63 prompt from Keep it Alive, by Sadje.
Scintillating, as the Sun rise, and the Sparkle on a Sea crested wave of bliss
Is keeping things In perspective, a key Inside all things, my friend, as is the Inner-knowing, of the
Moonrise in the early dawn of Morning, as the shadows play hide and seek Magnificently with our genuine desire for More games to begin, and yet
Playing games, and becoming Perplexed, only causes more confusion, so Please consider the simplest form of Purchase between the two delivered to you, and
Love each for their unique gifts, as you Languish in the sea salted air, and Learn to tell the difference, a Legendary affair of marked resistance and acceptance, is
Ever Evolving, and Energizing, our Earthly Existence
Shadowlight Words 