Whenever I want to zone out or form a perspective on something, I turn to haiku writing as a form of therapy. It is a form of disciplined thought that destresses me completely, and works my grey cells and I derive a lot of pleasure & philosophy out of this creative process.
Inspired by Basho, the Edo Japanese poet who wrote haikus under the bamboo groves in ancient Kyoto, I find this poetry form of zen-ness and crisp lines both challenging and calming.
Haikus can be written in 5-7-5, or 3-5-3 syllable form
Here are the thirty I wrote recently while on a holiday in the Land of the Rising Sun. Many were inspired by real-life experiences and a couple were helped by my children!
Japan is magic
Where vending machines are wives
Serving you miso(hot soup)
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The crane, the turtle-
Symbols of longevity
Greet us in our room
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Nothing like service
The unique Japanese way
His/hers-everything
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Hotel Okura
Where hospitality reigns
The Japanese way
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Beneath the neon
Metropolis of vastness
Lies an old zen tree
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Face, like nice presents
Must be impressively seen
There's no other way
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Agony on loo
Gentle squirts of warmth or strong
Jets of cold? For bum.
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Cherry blossom cake
For my dear tamadochi
Have fun being ten
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A big white island
Lies in a blanket of snow
Snow angels are born
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My first white birthday
Oodles of snow fun and love
Of simplicity
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So Narnia it is
Of quiet composed beauty
Icy barren trees
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In the fleeting snow,
I see love, light & laughter
Which I hold inside
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Snowflakes in my tongue
Cold magic that melts quickly
As soon as it comes
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Skis off, onsen calls
The hot and cold purifies
The much-maligned soul
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It’s the change of scene
That’s necessary for peace
In stillness we sit
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The wind in your face
As the chairlift blazes forth
Agape, in awe, wow!
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Skiing gently down
Is poetry in motion
The quiet astounds
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Add San to your name
Makes you feel special, innit?
Japanese for you!
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Sake and sushi
Sibilantly harmonious
Heaven in your mouth
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Onsen here we come
Steaming waters just for you
Your skin is refreshed
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In the stark whiteness
Of the winter wilderness
My soul awakens
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The snow queen stares out
Of her palatial white screen
Her subjects await
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White is purity
In bright, peaceful solitude
Of still icicles
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Powder at your feet
Kingdom of white wonderment
Please wear your helmet
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In midst of chaos
Of polyester wool haze
A maple leaf flies
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Snow is Japanese
Silent, stoic and gentle
Impassively so
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Snow falls like soft rain
Framing nature's wondrous stage
Poetry in snow
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I ski on white ice
Reflecting on time gone by
Jolting me to now
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Barren stark cold trees
Clump together in the snow
Do they need some fleece?
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Haiku is spare verse
Depending on state of mind.
What is your haiku?
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-R
January 2013
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