AFTER THE SNOWFALL HAIKU

Snowfall Cape, Jamestown, NC

Flowers bow secure,

Under a snowy white cape,

Dreaming of Spring’s warmth.

 

MINDFULNESS HAIKU

First Light, Jamestown, NC

 MINDFULNESS HAIKU

Awake at first light.

Can I keep this calm moment?

That will be my choice.

CHRISTMAS HAIKU

Moonlight over Jamestown. NC

CHRISTMAS HAIKU 🌟

When will love arrive?

The Bethlehem Inn is full.

But love enters in.

LUNAR HALO HAIKU

Lunar Halo, Internet Domain

The lunar halo,

Symbolizes divine life,

The light of the world. 

Life tests aren't meant to expose our weaknesses, but to reveal our strengths.

Emerging from one of life's "crucible moments" doesn't mean we are healed, but we will be different, and that's OK. 

A lunar halo in the night sky is life's way of acknowledging this and giving us a beautiful sign as we journey on.

 

SNOW GAZER HAIKU

Snow Gazer, Jamestown, NC

Snow flaking off clouds,

Silently drifting below,

Onto peaceful grounds.

 

EXERCISE HAIKU

 EXERCISE HAIKU

Cycle, weights, sweat, sweat.

Always good to see the gym,

In rear view mirror.

MOUNTAIN SONG HAIKU

Blue Ridge Mountains, NC

High country mountains,

like sunny, sandy beaches,

offer solitude,

from worldly noise and chaos.

Driving to the top,

lazy clouds float in blue skies,

and the crisp fresh air,

awakens hidden senses.

Hiking mountain trails,

provides a glimpse of God’s view,

while swaying grasses,

conceal soothing songs of praise.

The insect chorus,

sings as one in harmony,

amid soft breezes,

another simple pleasure.

MEDITATION HAIKU

Serene Sunrise, Blue Ridge Mountains, NC

Breathing in, I see,
creation’s stardust in me.
Breathing out, I smile.

Breathing in, I see,
the light of the world in me.
Breathing out, I smile.

Breathing in, I see,
all my ancestors in me.
Breathing out, I smile.

Breathing in, I see,
I am always transforming.
Breathing out, I smile.

Breathing in, I see,
there is no death and no fear.
Breathing out, I smile.

Breathing in, I see,
all the wonders of this life.
Breathing out, I smile.

FLAWED BEAUTY HAIKU

Broken Shell, Wrightsville Beach, NC

The sun awakens,
but is still not visible,
on the horizon.

Sojourners shelling,
as the eastern sky glows red,
and the tide recedes.

Shore birds chase the waves,
foraging in the sea foam,
as shells are exposed.

Lone footprints ahead,
leaving the tossed and broken,
gathering whole shells.

As I walk behind,
searching for imperfection,
gathering flawed shells.

REVERENT ROSES HAIKU

Hellebore, Jamestown, NC

Winter is waning,
when Lenten Roses appear,
reverently bowed.

February sun,
and blustery March wind gusts,
shake stalks heavenward.

Colorful flowers,
emerge from the center roots,
amid forest floors.

Lenten Hellebores,
sprouted from a young girl’s tears,
as a gift for Christ.

VEIL OF GRACE HAIKU

White Shadows, Jamestown, NC

The veil of nightfall,
casts its net of dark shadows,
over the still land.

Woodland creatures pause,
and settle down for the night,
as daylight recedes.

White azaleas,
slowly cover their faces,
with the veil of grace.

WRITING HAIKU

Sunrise Spirit, Kiawah Island, SC

Haiku has its origins in thirteenth-century Japan as the opening to a longer oral poem. It was shortened seven centuries later to the traditional three-line poem with a 5/7/5 syllable count. Mini-haiku uses a 3/5/3 syllable count and some use only one or two words per line. However, the rules couldn’t apply to translations in foreign languages where the metrical syllables could not be retained leading to an evolution of more creative applications.

Enlightenment and illumination are often expressed. Haiku emphasizes simplicity and directness of expression from nature, but not always. The focus can be on a brief fleeting moment in time that evokes a sensory response to convey a feeling or image. It’s been noted that the secret to writing great haiku is to be observant and appreciative of your surroundings. If you observe something that prompts you to say “Look at that”, the experience is probably suitable for a haiku. The Japanese go for “ginkgo walks” to seek inspiration in their natural rural or even urban environments.

I find that haiku of four or more lines which are sometimes known as haiqua seem to follow more traditional lines of poetic expression without the restriction of applying only words that rhyme. Adverbs are optional and it’s OK to continue a phrase or thought on the following line. I like the 5/7/5 use of syllables per line and so I also expanded them to 5/7/5/7 for many of my haiku’s. The traditional Japanese haiku are written in a single vertical line. Each completed line prompts the next stream of consciousness. And good haiku engages the reader to join in the experience. Try it!

SUNRISE SPIRIT HAIKU
Walking to the beach,
at the first sign of daylight,
the wood access bridge,
glistened in the morning dew.

As light pierced darkness,
an ethereal figure,
stood still and alert,
as I quietly approached.

This regal egret,
had slept in the green lagoon,
and was awakened,
by my presence this new day.

Our kindred spirits,
joined that magical moment,
and walked together,
within a rainbow’s shadow.

HARBINGERS HAIKU

Harbingers of Spring, Jamestown, NC

HARBINGERS HAIKU

The season of Lent,
heralds the approaching spring,
as shade loving blooms,
decorate the forest floor.

MONET SUNRISE HAIKU

Monet Sunrise, Jamestown, NC

MONET SUNRISE HAIKU

The great Creator,
swiftly moves the morning clouds,
and deftly colors,
the morning sky and water.

WINTER SUNSET HAIKU

Fading warm sunbeams,
drift over the horizon,
as translucent ice,
acquiesces to water.

SHATTERED SPIRITS HAIKU

Shattered Window, Greensboro, NC

Dark shattered spirits,
like broken window fissures,
with missing pieces,
can all be restored by love.
.

LAST ROSE HAIKU

Burst of Glory, Jamestown, NC

Fall is vanishing,
As nature braces itself.
Receding sunbeams,
Betray the ominous storm.

The last rose of fall,
Unfurls with a burst of life.
Defiant and proud,
Beaming glorious splendor.

This tender fragrance,
Fills the cold air with sweetness.
Leaving memories,
Of brighter days in the sun.

ALL HALLOWS EVE HAIKU

Spirits Rising, Greensboro, NC

Cooling air descends,
On low lying warm waters.
A golden sunbeam,
Reveals the stirring dancers.

Vapor spirits rise,
Gliding on placid waters.
Translucent beings,
Silently dance unrehearsed.

HAIKU STORM

Summer Storm, Jamestown, NC

Quickening south winds,
stir Thunder Being Nation,
and begin to sail.

Vapor droplets join,
rise on warming air currents,
and gain momentum.

Sky sculptures are formed,
spontaneously expand,
and block out the sun.

Fire spears strike the earth,
war drums shatter the silence,
and sheets of rain fall.

Double rainbows glow,
gurgling stream voices respond,
and chant Hey-A-Hey.

Tender shoots of grass,
turn their faces to the sun,
and the sky shines blue.

MELONCOLY HAIKU

Window Pane Rain Drops, Chicago, Il
Two Rain Drops, Jamestown, NC

Listening to the Stan Getz cut of “Spring Can Really Hang you Up the Most” while April rain drops on the window pane complete the perfect expression of melancholy.

Window pane rain drops,
and meloncoly sax notes,
hang you up the most.