Tuesday 3 January 2012

Relaxing with Haiku


Like the Japanese Macaque (Snow Monkey) in the Photo above, I have just spent a morning relaxing. Unfortunately I do not have a thermal spring to hand, so I spent my relaxation time sitting in a warm bed writing Haiku.

I feel sure that the traditionalist might complain that they do not all contain a ‘Kigo’ (season) word, or that the themes are not all natural, or some such.

Having read around the subject recently I have learned that modern Haiku are increasingly unlikely to follow the tradition of taking nature as their subject, but the use of juxtaposition continues to be honored.

The style I am using is the British style of 3 lines with 5, 7 and 5 syllables respectively.

I find writing Haiku a very relaxing way of passing time, and an extremely useful tool in my pain management tool box. The rigid structure seems to aid my writing when I am having a flare up or a setback and it also seems to divert my attention away from some of my discomfort.

The fact that I have managed to write about twenty Haiku since New Year’s Eve is testament to the fact that I have not been feeling that great since last Friday, having reflected on this I realized that during the Christmas rush, which I had planned well ahead, I had not taken the time to produce a proper pacing plan for the week surrounding New Year, hence my ninth Haiku.

I hope that you enjoy reading these Haiku and that 2012 has started well for you.

New Year

The rush is over,
It’s back to the old routine,
A stone heavier.

Christmas Toys

The toys lie scattered,
Children play excitedly,
With the toys’ boxes.

Gales

The South Westerly
Tears at the massive oak tree,
I watch from inside.

New Year Resolutions

They lie in tatters,
The New Year Resolutions;
Just a ‘to-do’ list

Half Full

Vicious wind roars past,
Rain falls horizontally.
Sun shines above clouds.

The Cat

Curled up in a ball,
Soft purr invites you to stroke,
Claws sink into hand.

The Dog

Lies at master’s feet,
Car passes house in street,
Master bowled over.

Turkey

Christmas leftovers,
served curried, fried, boiled and cold.
Kids search dump for scraps.

New Year Flare Up

I’m back in my bed.
Pacing New Year went to pot.
Forgot to plan it.

John Carré Buchanan
10 January 2012

6 comments:

  1. Haikus are fun, are they not?!
    I particularly like the sting in the tail of 'Turkey' - very thought-provoking.
    I think they are really good, John. Thank you!

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  2. Eileen, Thank you for your comment, I do enjoy writing Haiku and i am always pleased when someone enjoys the cut at the end. I hope you have a great 2012.

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  3. These are amazingly wonderful! I'm wishing you a happy new year :)

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  4. Angela, Thank you so much for your kind comment. it is very much appreciated. I hope you have a great 2012 yourself :-)

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  5. Beautiful short poetry; loved the way you've started each one and ended in three short lines. Most of all i liked the one you wrote for Half full.

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  6. Elvirah, Thank you for your comment, I am delighted that you enjoyed these haiku poems, I have found writing them very rewarding.

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I really appreciate constructive feedback. If you are able to comment it would be most grateful.