Monday, October 30, 2006
Haiku Poems - Learn How to Write Them!
Writing haiku poems needn't be difficult. Things have changed a lot since the days of the Japanese masters. For one, modern haiku poems no longer have to adhere to the 5-7-5 syllable rule.
Instead, we now have something called fragment/phrase theory where we look at haiku in a new way. For example, take a look at this haiku poem from the authors "Bird Haiku:"
Cold gray sky --
crows gather
under the pine
Notice the syllable count. It's not 5-7-5 yet this haiku poem retains the all important haiku sensibility. That is, it focuses on nature and expresses a present moment event in very few words.
Click here to read more!
Instead, we now have something called fragment/phrase theory where we look at haiku in a new way. For example, take a look at this haiku poem from the authors "Bird Haiku:"
Cold gray sky --
crows gather
under the pine
Notice the syllable count. It's not 5-7-5 yet this haiku poem retains the all important haiku sensibility. That is, it focuses on nature and expresses a present moment event in very few words.
Click here to read more!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
New Haiku Newsletter: "Wisteria Gazette!"
Do you like haiku? Ever think about writing some haiku poetry of your own? If so, you'll love this new haiku newsletter! Written by poet/author Edward Weiss, the Wisteria Gazette arrives in your inbox every Monday offering tips, perpective, and solutions for creating your own beautiful haiku poems!
Click here for more information and to join!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Haiku - A Short Poem About a Present Moment
There are many definitions about what haiku poetry is or isn't. One definition I think we can all agree upon is that haiku is a short (very short) poem about something taking place in the "now." And, as this present moment is described, we come away with what I like to call a residue of feeling. For instance, look at this haiku from the author's bird haiku:
Summer rain --
a blackbird sings
sporadically
This haiku takes place in the present. Action is communicated by the present tense verb "sings." And by using this kind of descriptive phrase, we get a sense of standing above it all. Of looking at the scene as an impartial observer. Click here to read the rest of this article!
Summer rain --
a blackbird sings
sporadically
This haiku takes place in the present. Action is communicated by the present tense verb "sings." And by using this kind of descriptive phrase, we get a sense of standing above it all. Of looking at the scene as an impartial observer. Click here to read the rest of this article!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Recommended Reading - Sincerity and the Future of Haiku
Those of you who know me and have read some of my articles know that I'm a huge Bruce Ross fan. Not for what he writes on the subject of haiku (although that's good too) but because I love his haiku. This essay written in 2001 is as relevant today as it was 5 years ago.
Click here to read Sincerity and the Future of Haiku. P.S. You'll have to scroll down a little to get to the essay.
Click here to read Sincerity and the Future of Haiku. P.S. You'll have to scroll down a little to get to the essay.
Monday, October 16, 2006
New Bird Species - New Bird Haiku!
Can you believe it? A new bird species was discovered! This isn't just a sub-species. It's a brand new bird! Amazing.
When I think about the bio-diversity on this planet, it blows my mind. So many beautiful and curious animals. And so oblvious (for the most part) to us humans.
Seeing this beautiful bird one wonders how it has kept hidden all this time. Well for one thing, it was discovered in a remote mountain region of Columbia. They say new species are found at least twice a year. Fantastic!
Mountain stillness --
a yariguies brush finch
makes an appearance
Bird Haiku in the News!
My new book "Bird Haiku" is out and while it didn't stop the presses, it did pick up a little notice. And why not? It is news to birding fans and haiku fans. Click here to read "Poetry in Flight."
Thursday, October 12, 2006
New Haiku Podcast - Tidal Channel
You know, when I first started these haiku podcasts, I wondered just how interesting a short 3 line poem would be to listeners.
Now that I've gotten good feedback. I'll continue to add haiku podcasts on a regular basis.
The latest is from Martin Cohen titled "Tidal Channel." Listen now at http://haikupodcasts.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Recommended Haiku Website
It's acutally a blog. And it's called Masago-no-haiku. No, I don't know what it means but the author of this haiku blog Vaughn Seward writes a haiku a day! Talk about having a way to write everyday. I've been looking at this blog for some time now and it doesn't appear that Vaughn's missed a day yet. Worth checking out!
Visit http://masago-no-haiku.blogspot.com/
Visit http://masago-no-haiku.blogspot.com/
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Wisteria Press Releases Bird Haiku!
It's out! If you like wild birds (and who doesn't?) you're going to love this collection of haiku poems by Edward Weiss. Robins, crows, toucans... they're all there for you to read about. Click here for more details and to buy! Just $11.95 and ships FREE in the U.S!
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Trying to Write Haiku
Many of my contemporary haiku poets like to create what is known as an "aha" moment for their readers. That is, they want you to guess a little at their meaning. And while I've read some of these haiku and enjoyed them, they're not my cup of tea.
I'm more interested in what I like to call an "ah" moment. I don't want to surprise the reader or make them think. After all, it's just a 3 line poem. I want to give readers a snapshot... a picture if you will of a place and let their imaginations take over from there. For instance, I've recently written this haiku:
Hot afternoon --
a hippo slowly
submerges
There's nothing "aha" about this little poem. No. It's just there for you to see. When I read this I imagine a scene. I can see this great beast go underwater and it gives me pleasure. And why is it going underwater? Because it's hot out! Simple and Zen like.
I'm more interested in what I like to call an "ah" moment. I don't want to surprise the reader or make them think. After all, it's just a 3 line poem. I want to give readers a snapshot... a picture if you will of a place and let their imaginations take over from there. For instance, I've recently written this haiku:
Hot afternoon --
a hippo slowly
submerges
There's nothing "aha" about this little poem. No. It's just there for you to see. When I read this I imagine a scene. I can see this great beast go underwater and it gives me pleasure. And why is it going underwater? Because it's hot out! Simple and Zen like.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Haiku Format and Why It's So Effective
The little haiku poem has remained relatively unchanged through the centuries. Why? Because haiku poets understand that the haiku format of 3 lines works! We now have 1 line haiku and 2 line haiku, but it's really the 3-line haiku format that makes a haiku poem zing!
For instance, take a look at this haiku poem by the author:
Hot afternoon --
the hippo slowly
submerges
Here we have a 3 line haiku. This is the traditional format used by the majority of haiku poets. But why is it so effective? Click here to read more!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Haiku Musings Gets Indexed by DMOZ!
Those of you who know about getting listed on search engines (Google in particular) know about DMOZ. It's the human edited directory that's notorioulsy hard to get into. I just found a link to Haiku Musings, along with a link to my website Wisteria Press included in their personal haiku websites section. Exciting! Well, maybe not to you but it means a lot for those of us who rely on getting listed in Google.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Free Haiku Poems for Your Cut and Paste Pleasure
So, you're looking for free haiku poems? Not much is free today. Even poetry. Fortunately, you've found this article. I've written many haiku poems for publication. I've also written a few books. Here, for your viewing and cut and paste pleasure, are some of my free ones. Use them as you will.
Free Haiku Poem #1
December rain --
nesting in the tree cavity
a screech owl
I particularly like this haiku. Here you have rain. You have winter weather. And you have this very cute screech owl hiding away in a tree cavity.
Click here to read more!
Free Haiku Poem #1
December rain --
nesting in the tree cavity
a screech owl
I particularly like this haiku. Here you have rain. You have winter weather. And you have this very cute screech owl hiding away in a tree cavity.
Click here to read more!
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