Haiku-Ellipses...POETRY...Invitation...Response....

Introduction:

How is the poetry of haiku related to the idea of ellipses?

The Americanized haiku of 3 lines with 5-7-5 syllables in each line is a modification of the Japanese nature haiku. My style of haiku retains the 3 lines with 5-7-5 syllables but the content is not limited to nature...the haiku can be ANYTHING. 

The ellipses in grammar refers to a continuation of thought, a progression in time that does not specify the precise content. In this blog, the haiku serves as an invitation for you to respond, whatever form that may take, a thought, emotion, idea, symbol, something you want to draw, write, share, do.

Ideally this response would also be shared in the comment section of the blog, as a continuation of the ellipses, inviting me to read and respond...a mini dialogue.

A Good Haiku:

A "good haiku" should set the scene in the first line, establishing a context.

The second line should link to the first and develop a direction of feeling/thought, leading the reader to expect something.

The third line of the haiku should break the frame/expectation and surprise the reader with an insight, ideally, this experience is akin to a mini-enlightenment, a ray of light.

Background:

I first read about haikus about 25 years ago in a private library at the Well Retreat Center in the Isle of Wright county in Virginia. I was so impressed with the book of haikus, that i copied several of them into my journal, and have reviewed them multiple times over the years. Every time, they seem fresh and insightful. 

I've dabbled in creating my own haikus in my journal over the years. They most often evolve after a long writing session, emoting, problem solving, or just recording the highlights of the day. The haiku helps me capture a present moment in life, thought/feelings, something beautiful, meaningful, insightful, something that i now want to share with others. 

Since then i've read more books on haiku, but have not changed the basic form: 3 lines, 5-7-5, with a surprise ending. Now, often after journal writing, i'll draw something that wants to emerge from inside, ranging from a doodle to a mandala, and THEN the desire to write a haiku will emerge, and is most often connection to the journal writing and artwork. Accordingly, some of these haikus will also have artwork.

Format: 

Name: 

A word or phrase that describes the haiku will be the name of the post.

Haiku:

The haiku of 3 lines will follow--i recommend reading the first line and pausing to imagine, then reading the second line and watch how your image morphs, finally reading the third line, the image may change again, or it may disappear and reappear as something else...whatever happens is fine, just notice, be present to the gift before you.

Explanation:

Next, i will describe my experience of the haiku and what it means to me.

Art:

Sometimes i will follow the haiku explantion with an image i drew and a brief explanation of the image.

Sum:

The name, haiku, explanation, and art will be one page per haiku post.

Spiritual Practice:

The haikus are meant to serve as "seed mantras." As a spiritual practice, you might write down the one of the haikus that resonate with you on a 3 x 3 sticky notepad and carry it with you in your pocket for a day, looking at it when the spirit moves you...

If the haiku speaks to you, consider carrying it around for a few more days before moving on to another. Enjoy each haiku for as long as it speaks to you. 

One can chain the sicky notes together with a piece of clear tape and put it up in a place that one frequents, like in the bathroom near the light switch, or in the bedroom near a dresser. This serves as a kind of anaconda snake of haiku seed mantras, reminding us of the things we hold dear.  

You may have a different way you like to engage with the haikus...please share in the comments. Some people like to read the haiku out loud, and enjoy them in the moment, then let them go. Some like to read a haiku and meditate on it, then journal about it. Other use haikus to create an intention for the day. Maybe the haikus will inspire you to write your own haikus...if you do, i invite you to share them...There are many ways to use haikus in service of a spiritual practice. 

Practice:

Writing haikus is a spiritual practice for me, a way to release what is growing/brewing inside me, a kind of little birth, something that wants to take form in the universe...so i offer them as gifts for whoever has eyes/ears to see/read...may they bring you enjoyment, insight, comfort, peace, and love.

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