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
