Haiku Musings

Haiku and New Age Piano? Yes!

2008-02-14T14:51:00.000-08:00

I've been playing piano for a long while now. I love the piano and music. But I have other interests as well. One of them is Haiku.

I love this form of poetry for its directness and fresh appeal. I've even written 2 little volumes of poetry.

Recently, I wrote a report titled: "How to Write Haiku!" It outlines the modern approach to haiku poetry which lets go of the traditional 5-7-5 syllable count.

A lot of my haiku peers don't get how haiku can be anything other than 5-7-5. But today's haiku poet's have been writing without a strict syllable count for a long while now.

Anyway, find the free report at http://www.wisteriapress.com

Haiku Report by Wisteria Press: How To Write Haiku!

2008-02-13T20:20:00.000-08:00

Well, I just put together a few of my essays on haiku writing. It's a report I'm giving away free over at http://wisteriapress.com

Following the trend of modern haiku, the report focuses on fragment and phrase theory and illustrates some new perspectives on writing haiku.

By the way, did I mention it was free and available now at http://wisteriapress.com

Oh yeah, I did. Go get it!

The Haiku Sensibility - What's Happened To It?

2006-11-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

You know, I look around at my fellow haiku poets websites and I see a lot of haiku that really misses the point of haiku. What I mean is the subject of many contemporary haiku focuses on people and events. But I'm missing something. I'm missing the wabi/sabi aspect that I feel is important to the art form.

For example, take a look at this haiku by one of my favorite poets Bruce Ross:

spring wind --
a sparrow pecks
in the dust

What I like about this haiku is its simplicity. It doesn't try to be sophisticated and its subject matter is also simple. Plus it has that undefinable quality - that air of indifference that allows you to see the impermanence of things.

Haiku Class and Learning Haiku Online

2006-11-13T18:22:00.000-08:00

Some people just learn better in a class environment. When it comes to learning haiku, taking a haiku class may be a great way to learn how to write this shortest of poems.

But what if you can't make it to class? Now there's another way to learn and that's online! For instance, if you were to take a haiku class online you might be exposed to a 4-week course where you get all your information and instruction from email or from a website. In the case of my own haiku class or workshop, all you need to learn the art of haiku is available online.

Here's a breakdown of what an online haiku class might look like: Click here to read more!

Haiku Workshop Scheduled for January!

2006-11-07T17:21:00.000-08:00

I just finalized the date of our online haiku workshop. It begins January 5, 2007! If you're interested in learning how to write haiku, this is a great place to start. Click here for more information and to sign up!

Senryu and Haiku - What's the Difference?

2006-11-06T14:08:00.000-08:00

Many people who write haiku think they are creating haiku when in fact, they are making senryu. What's senryu you ask? It's exactly like haiku except its subject matter has to do with anything besides nature. Mostly, it has to do with what goes on in the human realm. Here's an example of a senryu:

Spring morning --
a strand of her hair
between the kiss

At first glance, this seems to be a haiku poem. It looks like haiku and has something to do with nature (spring morning) but the main subject of this senryu is about two people kissing. It has nothing to with something occurring strictly in nature. Here's another example:

Click here to read more!

Haiku Poems - Learn How to Write Them!

2006-10-30T13:42:00.000-08:00

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!

New Haiku Newsletter: "Wisteria Gazette!"

2006-10-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

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!

Haiku - A Short Poem About a Present Moment

2006-10-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

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!

New Bird Species - New Bird Haiku!

2006-10-16T22:00:00.000-07:00

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!

2006-10-16T09:16:00.001-07:00

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."

New Haiku Podcast - Tidal Channel

2006-10-12T12:27:00.000-07:00

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/

Recommended Haiku Website

2006-10-10T20:06:00.000-07:00

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/

Wisteria Press Releases Bird Haiku!

2006-10-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

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!

Trying to Write Haiku

2006-10-07T12:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Haiku Format and Why It's So Effective

2006-10-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

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!

Haiku Musings Gets Indexed by DMOZ!

2006-10-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

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.

Free Haiku Poems for Your Cut and Paste Pleasure

2006-10-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

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!

Recommended Web Site - Haiku Hut!

2006-09-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

Haiku Hut is a forum where you can get feedback and critiques on your haiku.

There are many nice people who will help you and educate you on the seemingly endless ways to go about writing a haiku poem!

Click here to visit Haiku Hut. You have to register to post and read the forums.

Haiku Podcasts? Yes!

2006-09-28T10:51:00.000-07:00

Even the world's shortest poems deserve to be heard! Introducing Wisteria Press's new haiku podcasts! Now you can listen to haiku on your iPod, Mp3 player or right here on the internet! To download, just right-click and select "save target as." Choose a file name and that's that! Or click the link and listen online.

If you'd like to be a part of our haiku podcasts, simply email your haiku to us along with your name, email address, and brief bio. We'll record it and put it up here!

Haiku Podcast #1 - December TwilightI
n this premier podcast, Edward reads one of his haiku poems from the book "Seashore Haiku." (Mp3 file - 1.08 MB)

Haiku Podcast #2 - March Wind
Here, Edward reads a haiku from his upcoming book "Bird Haiku." Enjoy! (Mp3 file - 1.31 MB)

Haiku and the AHA Moment

2006-09-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

When writing haiku, many poets submit you must have what is called an "aha" moment. This occurs primarily because of something called juxtaposition. For example, take a look at this haiku by the Japanese master Basho:

Not one traveler
braves this road -
autumn night

It consists of 3 lines. The first 2 lines describe something specific. In this case, it's describing something that is not taking place, i.e. no people on a road. In line 3 we have the setting "autumn night." The aha moment occurs when we read the haiku as a whole and go back and forth between lines 1 and 2 and line 3. This juxtaposition causes one, hopefully, to...

Click here to read more!

Should Haiku Be Cute or Funny?

2006-09-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a lot of what is called "modern" haiku lately. And I have to say that much of it fails to move me. Not that I intend to cry or sob over 3 lines of poetry, but for some reason, many new haiku poets just don't have or understand the haiku sensibility.

To me, haiku is about the beauty of nature and this beauty's impermanance. Personally, this is the kind of haiku I'd like to see more of. Your thoughts?

New Haiku Podcast Seeks Submissions

2006-09-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

I've started a new haiku podcast over at http://www.wisteriapress.com/haiku_podcasts.html If you have any haiku you'd like to see featured here, just visit the above link for details.

I've also posted the first haiku to the podcast. The cool thing about podcasts using Mp3 is that you can download them and upload right to iPod or Mp3 player. When I was growing up in the early 70's and heard that the information age was coming, I had no idea I'd be a part of it. Fantastic!

Japanese Haiku and Western Haiku - Can They Get Along?

2006-09-15T16:01:00.000-07:00

You know, I've read many poems by the Japanese haiku masters. Some I like, but most I don't. Why? Because I just can't completely relate to their aesthetic. Sure, nature is nature throughout the world. It's just their way of writing about it that doesn't do it for me. For instance, look at this haiku poem by the Japanese haiku master Basho:

Don't imitate me;
it's as boring
as the two halves of a melon.

Now this haiku isn't bad. And I'm not saying that Japanese haiku is bad. It's just different. And this difference has to do with culture. Perhaps if I lived in Japan for 10 years, I'd understand the many hidden meaning in many of their haiku poet's work. In fact, the Japanese have hundreds of words to describe the nuance in seasonal change. We here in the west don't. We're more straightforward and in my mind, even more zen like. For example, look at this poem by Canadian haiku poet Bruce Ross:

winter stillness...
on a high branch the crow
opens and closes its beak

Notice how direct this is. And simple too! There are no hidden meanings or allusions to something other than what this haiku portrays which is a crow performing a simple act of moving its beak. The real beauty of this particular poem is the contrast between "winter stillness" and lines 2 and 3. Using juxtaposition, we get a sense of "nothing special" happening here. Yet it is exactly this sense of nothing special that produces that beautiful Zen-like effect!

Japanese haiku also have this quality and I suppose it's just a matter of taste. The west has learned much from the Japanese haiku poet and has developed its own unique way of expression.

Learn Haiku the Easy Way!

2006-09-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

So, you want to learn haiku. It's no surprise. Many people are attracted to this elegant and economical poetry form. In just a few words, an entire scene is captured.

To learn haiku, you need to forget about what you've heard regarding writing it. The notorious 5-7-5-syllable rule no longer applies to modern haiku poetry. This is a good thing for it frees you up to focus on expressing yourself without worrying if your syllables fit a predefined pattern.

The most important thing you need to know about learning how to write haiku is... Click here to read the rest of this article!

Haiku Rules - It's OK to Break a Few!

2006-09-08T12:22:00.000-07:00

Rules are a good thing. They keep us focused and help us understand how to do something. When it comes to haiku rules however, some things are less than useful.

Take the 5-7-5-syllable rule for instance. A nice rule that dictates the form of the poem. Five syllables for line 1, seven for line 2 and five again for line 3. It's been used for many, many years to generate fine haiku poems. But this haiku rule in particular has given way to what is called "free form" haiku.

Free form haiku still uses the 3-line format (for the most part) but instead of the strict adherence to 5-7-5, we have...

Click here to read more!

Why I Dislike Most Modern Haiku

2006-09-05T17:56:00.000-07:00

Ok. Here it is. I don't like most of what I read as modern haiku. Why? Because it really isn't haiku at all! It's something called senryu. Senryu uses haiku form and format but instead of using nature as subject, takes the human drama instead. You know, everthing that happens to us.

I dont' know about you but I've about had it with human drama. That's what drew me to haiku in the first place. Here was a poetry of elegant simplicity where I could turn and escape from the world for a while. Now we have poets who just don't seem to get the "haiku mindset" which, in my mind at least, explores the miracle of the natural world. Instead we get clever little poems about something happening in our world.

There's nothing wrong per se with senryu. Except that I really don't like it that much.

How Daily Haiku Can Make Your Life Easier

2006-09-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

So you're off to work. A million things to think about. Deadlines and your boss are at your throat and you wonder why you even got out of bed. At least you have daily haiku!

Daily haiku is a new service presented by Wisteria Press, a small haiku press located in San Diego. For those of you who don't know, haiku is an age-old Japanese poetry form that uses just a few words to capture the beauty of nature. While the 5-7-5 syllable rules may or may not be followed by modern haiku poets, the poem's form itself really hasn't changed.

Click here to read more!

Nature Poems and Haiku - a Perfect Match!

2006-08-31T13:40:00.000-07:00

Ah poetry and nature. Two things that naturally go togther. But if you're looking for nature poems that really get it so to speak, you should look into haiku. Why? Because haiku is especially suited for describing nature. For example, take a look at these two nature poems by the author:

Nature Poem #1

egrets move
through the marsh...
morning clouds

Here we have "egrets" as our subject. A beautiful bird that most people either have seen in a picture or are familiar with. In just 7 words a picture is created. And not just any picture but a complete scene! First we have the phase "egrets move through the marsh." Nothing special in itself. But, when we combine this with the fragment "morning clouds," we get a picture of place and time - a sense of something happening.

Click here to read more!

Free Daily Haiku Service by Wisteria Press

2006-08-29T14:30:00.000-07:00

Love haiku? You're going to like this new service! Sign up now and get fresh haiku in your inbox every morning! Develped by author and publisher Edward A. Weiss, the daily haiku poems arrive via tex messages so you can even get them on your mobile phone! To sign up, just go to http://wisteriapress.com

Seashore Haiku - Poetry and Nature Combined

2006-08-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Haiku is a centuries old Japanese form of poetry that uses just a few words to capture the essence of its subject. Woods, forests, and oceans have been topics traditionally used by haiku poets and for good reason - they are all inspiring natural phenomena.

Seashore haiku combine both the love of the ocean and haiku's inherent ability to portray nature subjects. For example, take a look at this seashore haiku by the author...

Click here to read more!

Haiku Examples and the 5-7-5 Syllable Rule

2006-08-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

Most people understand what haiku is. And most will tell you that a true haiku poem must have a certain pattern of syllables and lines. For example, the first line will get 5 syllables, the second 7, and the third 5 again. This is all well and good but it's not necessary at all! In fact, most modern haiku in the western world no longer adhere to this structure. I for one think that's a good thing! Let's look at some haiku examples to see why.

Haiku Example #1:

steady spring rain --
a tree takes shape
at dawn

The above haiku poem is from one of my favorite poets, Bruce Ross. Notice that the 5-7-5 rule does not apply here. Also notice that the poem is still a haiku. Why?

Click here to read the rest of this article!

Publish Your Haiku Poems the Easy Way!

2006-08-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

So, you want to publish your haiku poems. But you think it's not worth the time or effort. If I hadn't published my own successful book of poems, I'd say you were right. But by actually doing it myself I've learned a lot. Let me share with you what I did.

First, of course, I finished writing the poetry. I write haiku so my task is a lot easier than most, but that shouldn't deter you either way. I wrote at least 5 poems a day (usually a lot more) and I finished an entire book in less than a month! That's from not having anything, to having a finished book in hand.

Click here to read more!

Haiku Poetry and the Concept of Wabi/Sabi

2006-08-11T00:33:00.000-07:00

It may sound like a tasty sushi dish, but the concept of wabi/sabi is a Japanese idea that literally means "sweet sadness." It's a feeling one may have when winter is approaching and you notice the change in nature's cycles. It's a feeling of impermanence that surrounds all living things on this planet. Nothing lasts and this idea finds its expression well in haiku poetry. For instance, look at this haiku poem by Bruce Ross:

winter sun...
the pigeons foot crackles
a dry leaf

The first line suggests the time of year and the general ambiance of the day. It is wintertime and as we all know, the sun's position and relative affect on the earth is quite different during this season.

Click here to read more!

Haiku by Basho - It Ain't that Good

2006-08-07T20:26:00.000-07:00

I really get turned off when people refer to the "great masters" of anything. As if one could call someone a master of anything that has to with poetry or any art. In art, you either like something or you don't. Period.

Basho is the Japanese poet who is credited for coming up with the haiku genre. And if you're read any of his poems, you may have come to the same conclusion as me which is that you just don't like it that much.
For example take this poem by "the master:"

Lead my pony
across this wide moor
to where the cuckoo sings

As far as haiku goes, it's OK. But I just don't get the wow factor so many people attribute to him. Am I wrong?

Free Report: "How to Write Haiku!"

2006-08-05T18:56:00.000-07:00

You love the idea of writing your own haiku but you don't know where to begin. Not a problem. Get Wisteria Press's new report and you'll understand the underlying principles behind modern haiku poetry!

Click here to access your free report. This is a PDF file. You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the file. Don't forget to sign up for our free daily haiku! Just enter your email address in the box to your right and you'll get it!

Poetry Contests and How to Win Them

2006-08-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

Poetry Contests have sprung up like wildfire around the internet. And why not? It's a fun way to test your skill at poetry writing.

There are poetry contests that are judged by a few people at a time. They assign the poem points. The poem with the most points wins. Seems simple enough and it's a good strategy.

What they don't tell you is what they're looking for. Let's face it. Poetry contests are biased. And that's a matter of fact. After all, you're being judged by people predisposed to a certain way of writing. If they like it, it passes the test. If not, it's put away and quickly forgotten.

Click here to read the rest of this article!

New Book Now Available!

2006-07-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

My new book "Seashore Haiku" is out and is available for purchase. If you like the sea and haiku, you're going to love this collection of haiku poems!

Why I'm Not a Big Fan of Senryu

2006-07-22T18:16:00.000-07:00

Senryu is basically a poem that uses haiku form to talk about things and events in the human world. Whereas haiku focuses on nature, senryu looks at us.

Now, one of the reasons I like haiku is that it gives me a chance to escape from the world of people. I like people, but I also like getting away from them and just experiencing nature. Haiku allow me to do this. Afterall, the human drama just gets tiring after a while. I'd rather spend my time contemplating the beauty of nature than discuss grandma's penchant for jewelry or some other inane topic.

The Joy of Haiku

2006-07-16T12:53:00.000-07:00

Just 3 lines are all it takes to be transported to a world of beauty and delight. No other poem can do this but the haiku! The joy of haiku comes from the fact that in just a few seconds, we can be taken away to where the poet has envisioned.

The first part of haiku poetry usually includes a fragment to set the scene or mood. Then the poem is finished with a descriptive phrase. But what is it about this poetry that moves us? It's the juxtaposition between fragment and phrase that creates the poetic effect.

For example, if we take a fragment like "spring morning," this in and of itself really doesn't do much for us. But, if we add a descriptive phrase like...

Click here to read more!