Haiku

Last month a friend shared with me that she had been writing a Haiku every day. A Haiku is a 3-line, 17 syllable poem. The first line is 5 syllables, the second 7, and third 5. They are traditionally about nature. On the spur of the moment, I decided to do the same. We have since been sharing them with each other daily.

I write mine in a notebook, trying to leave in what I cross out and the multiple versions that lead to the final poem. I occasionally go back days later and revise again.

Almost one month into this experience I realize that these Haiku are a kind of journal and I have started to write little notes about specifically who or what inspired me. Sometimes I am inspired during the day and reach for my notebook right away. At other times I sit down to write and have to think about what happened that day that would make a good poem. The challenge is to express it all in the form of a Haiku. I must admit that even though it is often frustrating, I love the discipline of distilling what I saw or felt into 17 syllables.    

I have written thirty-one poem thus far, most about my winter in Florida.  

Tiny lizards dart

Heedlessly across my path

Iguanas lie still, waiting

Ugly wallpaper

Like nothing seen in nature

Outside my window

A burst of pale pink

Until the faded blooms drop

Now we wait again