A single haiku floats through an empty mind once, yet will it linger?

Haiku time. Now that we have discussed Economy of Language a bit, I feel ready to embrace haikus. We must first define haikus and overcome some misconceptions about them.

What people seem to know about haikus: They have 17 syllables, 5 one line, 7 the second line, 5 the third line. I'm about to drop some knowledge.

Haikus are almost always about nature. At least originally. They are less so nowadays, but that was their original purpose. They also contain a juxtaposition. Something unexpected, ironic, or contrary will occur in the span of the haiku. This moment is called the kireji. (Mean, "the cutting.") Finally, haikus have 17 on. An on is more of a measure of sound in Japanese and is often translated as the word "syllable." For example, on in Japanese contains two characters in hiragana, o and n. Haiku contains three. Ha - i - ku. It would take three characters of hiragana to write the word "haiku." For example, here is a haiku from the master, Basho, translated word for word:

old pond . . .
a frog leaps in
water’s sound

But that is not 17 syllables, but it is 17 on in Japanese. Here it is when a translator "fixes it:"

at the age old pond
a frog leaps into water
a deep resonance

Not the exact thing, but very similar. So you learned the difference between on and syllable. Learn something new everyday.

However, let us look at this haiku for its parts. It is about nature. The kireji is either when the frog jumps in or when there is a sound. I would say it is the when the frog jumps. We can get there through Feel First. Let us linger on each line. Read haikus slowly. Super slow.

old pond ...

I am envisioning something tranquil. Something still. Something old, fragile, perhaps even overrun with animals or bugs near the water. A thriving or dying ecosystem.

a frog leaps in

Now I have a lot of action. The spring like nature of frog legs means there is a lot of energy going on. He bends his little frog knees, squats lower, and is then propelled quickly into the air, high into the air, legs dangling, little frog arms extended, and then a noisy, messy splash. All this is said without being said. In fact, the lack of words lends to the tranquility.

water's sound

Here is our sonic portion. Water droplets splashing. Ripples. Rings spreading out and fading. All the energy is being dispersed and fading away. It lingers for a moment, but it will pass.

All of that is happening in these tiny words. So let us look at some more haikus. Feel First, suck out the emotion and meaning of each word before you move on to another line.

From Basho:

From time to time
The clouds give rest
To the moon-beholders.

From Kato Shuson:

I kill an ant
and realize my three children
have been watching.

From Me:

I Read Psalm 5 While It Rains

My wife's cries at night
Are our bitter offering
These arms cannot hold


Until next week, enjoy nature, enjoy simple sentences and short phrases.
Rock out,
Rory