Haiku dates back to 16th century Japan, though in the English-speaking world it has only been present for the last 130 years or so. It’s increasingly building up interest in the West, thus nowadays haiku is the most popular form of poetry on the web.
The traditional structure for a haiku poem consists of three lines, with five syllables for the first and third lines and seven syllables for the middle. Although using 5-7-5 is no longer considered to be the rule for haiku in English, it’s still often taught that way to children in school.
Here are some of my haiku poems:
I experiment
With elusive dream symbols
To compose poems
Amid Wind’s whispers,
Yellow sun smiles upon us.
Dark clouds float away . . .
My intuition
Is so familiar to me,
I gave her a name
A patch of blue
Adjacent to dark grey sky
The sun peeks through clouds
Thousands march to say
Majority’s not silent
About Women’s Rights
Nation divided
Majority’s strong feelings
Not to be ignored!
Life experience
Informs written expression;
Readers can relate.
Rather than dwell on
Opinions of anyone,
Search your heart for Truth
A happy gecko
Receives blessings of darshan
From Sathya Sai Baba
At Story Expo
Writers explore new concepts
Of ancient art form
Lack of exercise
On a regular basis
Goes straight to my thighs!
Rainbow of hope
Triumphs over tragedy
At 9-11 site
If perfectionist
Tendencies stifle artistry,
Get an editor
Prayer marathon:
Silent voices joined in one
Magnificent song!
Too much money spent
On self improvement and health
Is good investment
Overflowing hearts
Balanced by incredible
Minds–create magic
Coffee with my friends
Opens portal to greater
Creativity
Gratitude toward
My expanded family
Thank you Facebook friends!
Extend compassion
Extend generosity
Expand family
Friends and friends of friends
Are all in need of love that’s
Unconditional
The smell of rain
Seems hallucinatory
It has come and gone!
Golden pollen blows
Into all the air I breathe
No wonder I sneeze!
Plants naturally lean
Toward sun’s rays despite drought
And abundant heat
Entrepreneurship
Exploring hidden talents
Promotion of gifts
Happiness haiku
Joy is spread from me to you
Do you do haiku?
Plein air artistry
Catches sunlight’s impressions
Before darkness comes
Promiscuous Muse
Gives herself freely to all
Illusive to me
After three sets of
Fifteen reps on hip abductor,
Legs feel like jello!
On Mother’s Day, 2015, For Matilda Asaff Nader:
A virtual rose
In vivid memory of
Mom’s eternal love
Approximate rhymes
Close sound proximity
Is that poetry?
Birds whistle songs of
Spring heard by the naked ear
Cheerful, loud, and free
Sound proximity
Axle-grease and elbow time
Memories to find
Through the screen door
The view outside my window
Nature is calling
Truth in humor is
The first law of comedy
It’s absurd but true!
Running through meadows
My dream-self explores and plays
While the body sleeps
The poet emerges
From the depth of emotion:
Her natural state
Ode to Poetry:
I wonder in my Rhythm
What songs are in my
Soul, singing silently?
Waiting for these words:
“The dentist will see you now.”
I’d rather not hear.
How long will it last? Moist marine layer
Creates cool contrast to heat’s
Arid atmosphere
Dry plant needs pruning
Pink blossoms burned to copper
Release and let go
Mundane daily tasks
Stifle poet’s melody
Birds’ chirps continue
Transference of Blame: Scale must be broken
It registers gain of weight
Time for a new one
Swept the balcony
Accompanied by birdsong
Cheerful is the sound
I like haiku verse
Gives me time to think without
Taking from my purse
All work and no work-out:
Time to revisit the gym
Do stretches at home
One haiku a day . . .
Contemporary poets
Chase the blues away
Language arts tutor
Urges creative expression
From once silent voice
Fresh air, gentle breeze
A walk in my neighborhood
Exploring new ground
Green cactus plants look
the same until flowers bloom
different colors.
Poetry’s purpose:
Express and vent emotions
To share with others
Rampant random thoughts
Run amok while wandering;
Require reflection
Driving in the rain
Hearts sing for Mother Nature’s
Drenching driving rain
Birds of Paradise
Golden faces toward the sun
Sing their silent songs
No longer exists
Dad’s yummy candy kitchen
Just sweet memories
Quiet time alone
Rendezvous with ancient soul
View Love’s smiley face
The writer’s journey
Left brain, right brain ebb and flow
Energy creates
Leaves appear like lace
Silhouettes against the sky
At dusky twilight
Crisp leaves fall from trees
On parched, dry land to be crunched
And blown by hot breeze
Authors’ universe
Uplifting, encouraging
Reciprocal support
Summer Solstice Day
Old ending, new beginning
Future full of hope.
Beautiful flowers
Happy in their new abode
Bright yellow and pink.
Friend’s celebration
Live music, champagne and cake
Partying tonight!
Incredible dads
And father figures everywhere
Happy Father’s Day!
New growth adds to old
Fresh feel and color uplift
My cactus garden
Superstitious day?
Happy Friday the Thirteenth
Greetings of good luck!
California drought
Citizens, help save water:
Shower with a friend.
“A New Wind is Blowing”
Gusty winds invite
trees to dance to new tempo
in Nature’s disco
Outside my window
Yard crew meets wind’s challenge of
Man against Nature
Winds cause hell on wheels
Cars rock and roll on freeways
Three days in a row
Evidence of Spring
In East Texas Neighborhoods
Dogwoods in full bloom
Texas camellias
At Aunt D’s old residence
Reach toward the sky
Impulsivity
Felt by creative artists
Can be a good thing
The writer’s process
Intimate and revealing
Personal and pure
Accentuate Love
Facilitate well being
It’s for you to choose
Soft pastel colors
Electrified with brightness
Make life colorful
Punctuate passion
Enunciate emotion
Paint pictures with words!
I bask in brilliance
When self-esteem is high
Courage calls my name
Inspiration nods
And just as quickly nods off
Awaken dear Muse
Everywhere I turn
I see reminders of You
Sathya Sai Baba
Rest in reverie
Breathe in sweet essence of hope
Rise up in wisdom
You better not stand
In the way of poetry
Ride like a fast train
Plants need to be pruned
Cut away dry, dead foliage
Make way for new growth
“Unexpected Therapy”
Generosity:
Discount on massage session
Just when needed most
Morning gloom has cleared
The sun shines in sky of blue
Adorned by white clouds
It’s only a dream
Why am I working so hard?
Must awake to rest
Grey clouds offer hope
Of wet, drought drenching raindrops
Falling on parched soil
Between laundry loads
I weave poetic silk threads
Within world wide web
“My Weekend”
Highlights in my hair
Part of lighten up weekend
Taking time for self
“Synchronicity”
Olympic skaters
Show strength and technique in pairs
Elegance on ice
Be your own best friend
Mindful of self-talk and thoughts
Practice love of self
Relaxation time
Hot tub soothes body and soul
Outdoor reverie
Worries causing stress
Too many tugs on my time
Must eat more pasta!
Today’s journal page:
Some friends hard to understand
Love them anyway.
Meditative muse
Whispers from the depths of soul
Speaks with still, small voice
Walk in gratitude
Release all that hinders joy
Appreciate life
Lebanese Kibbee
Introduced to my new friend
Now friends for life!
Poetic License
Given with Love from Dream Muse
Expanded heart-mind
“2014”
Happy New Moon Year
New beginnings and Choices
Embracing it all
Eating black eyed peas
Ole Southern superstition
Good luck all year long
“Wisdom Speaks”
Resistance to change
Causes disease and sadness
Yet change continues…
Exuberance spreads
Joy and purpose to others
Do a happy dance
Winter Solstice rites
Honor tradition and life
With food and ritual
La Luna smiles
As Mother Earth awakens
To new beginning
In and out of rain
Don’t want to go out again
Cozy warm at home
Opportunity
Brings new challenges and angst
Remember to breathe
Quick oatmeal cookies
A popular Christmas treat
Mother’s recipe
Breathtaking beauty
Autumn air feels crisp and clear
Sunshine follows rain
Grief comes suddenly
In unpredictable waves
Pain is eased with love
Recording artists
Are extremely hard workers
We listen with ease.
Wearing business hat
Producing songs for contest
Bucket list budget
Ring around the moon
Predicts the coming of rain
Full moon smiles tonight
Love for friend extends
Far across miles when sorrow’s
Time has come again.
Love for friend extends
Far across miles when sorrow
Rears its ugly head
In the driver’s seat
Going too fast for comfort
Through unknown terrain
PLR retreat
Alternate realities
Support seamless Truth
Retro Mercury
Communication snafus
Not gonna stop me!
Orange cones everywhere!
Cars are ants crawling uphill
One inch per minute
Man on balcony
Unexpected roof repairs
Endless hammering
Mosaic skyscape:
Patches of blue mingle with
Multicolored clouds
Rain came overnight
The sun is shining again
Freshness in the air
Random kindness acts
Becoming more prevalent
Show up in world news
New adolescent
Neither a boy nor a man
His birthday today
In celebration
With good cheer, laughter and friends
Make new memories
“Walking Meditation”
A gentle breeze blows
Peace with every step I take
A new flower blooms
My mind is at ease
I become the gentle breeze
Hope is in the air
The Soul searches to
Express in dissertation
That which Must be said
Walking with peace signs
Passersby honk and wave
It’s all about LOVE.
Penelope has
A perky pink parasol
With power to fly
Writing down my dreams
Takes discipline plus desire
For self-awareness
“Insomnia”
Writer’s group last night
Mind filled with inspiration
Night owl wide awake
Cleansing and purging
Release what no longer serves
Make way for the new
Family ties call
In vivid dream images
Pay attention now!
Hear the people speak
With voices to be honored
Democracy’s rule!
Before this contest
I had no Facebook presence
Now, I’m addicted
HOPE’S AUDACITY
May it live forevermore
Bring an end to war.
“Poem for family”
When Adalyn needed prayer
Friends and family were right there
And God heard us
New Hope joined with me
In spiritual community
And God heard us
With love in our hearts
We each play our parts,
God always hears us
“The Red Bus” (from dream images)
Red bus filled with friends
From my place of origin
All calling my name
Play Compassion Games
Survival of the kindest
Winners everyone
Love is the answer
Churches and communities
Lending hands and hearts
Poetic license
Permission to play with words
Just for fun–haiku.
Bare feet love soft sand
Wind likes to mess up our hair
Friends enjoy beach time
Warm sand and cool surf
Tickle toes at Laguna
Wild waves ebb and flow
Group meditation
Sit quietly with others
Pray for Mother Earth
Summer heat wave melts
Chocolate bars in cupboard
It’s time for ice cream!
You must write haiku
When Nature stirs emotions
To poetic flow
Pink buds turning red
Nature’s humming bird feeder
Tasty cactus plant
Cactus plant in bloom
Stretching up toward blue sky
Rich pink buds bring joy
Gluten free delight
I’ll take chocolate day or night
Helps me think and write
“Rose”
Nothing ever lost
Eternal ebb and flow is
The rhythm of life
“Waiting”
Sitting in the wind
In the window of time
Nothing on my mind
“Dream Haiku”
Behind a counter
Seeming poised and complacent
Stands a lonely friend
Behind a counter
Standing with an illusion
Crying out for love
An awkward moment
A counter creates blocks to
Communication
Things are not as real
As appearances would show
Behind the counter
A friend reaches out
To express her loneliness
In a way that’s safe