Former Member Posted July 3, 2015 Posted July 3, 2015 (edited) . Poetry Prompt 11 – Haiku #2 Let's Write an Issa-style Haiku! We have studied Tanka, and Basho-style Haiku, so now we can move on to the other great master of Japanese Haiku, Issa Kobayashi.[1] While in Tanka the poet can have free range to explore the subjective with words like "I" and "me," Basho's Haiku strives to be totally objective and simply paint a scene with words. His Haiku assume the reader will feel the same emotions the poet did from simply reading the scene. Issa approached it from a different perspective. His Haiku are almost a perfect blend of detached witness speaking from an "I" POV, while focusing on showing (and not telling) the reader about an event. Here's an example: The dog's kindness shows as he moves aside for me on this path of snow. Or, here's another wintry one: Hey, it's in his look, that guy right in front of me, right down to his chill. Now for some background: born in 1763, and trained firmly in the Basho tradition of poetry, he wrote more than 20,000 Haiku but only a few hundred Tanka.[2] When he was 52 years old, he decided to start writing a poetic journal, whereby he would chronicle a year of his life. He called it Oraga haru, or My Springtime.[3] His wife had borne him a daughter recently, and their child turned two years old as he began this project. He dedicated his newfound joy in living to the fact that she brought hope and a fresh outlook to his existence. It proved tragic, because as he was writing this work, his daughter contracted smallpox and died. Issa recorded it all – his happiness, his despair, his grief, and finally, his determination that a higher purpose exists. Oraga haru became a landmark when he published, and it's arguably one of the greatest poetic works you'll be able to find. Do check it out in Hamill's translation. So, intimacy reigns in Issa's Haiku. He does not shy away from being a poet telling his side of things, as long as he keeps it simple, and adheres to the basic requirements of the Haiku as a form. Those are, the inclusion of a seasonal word – like 'snow,' and 'chill' in the examples above – and a structure of three lines arranged in syllables of 5-7-5. The question is, how does he do his magic? Answer: I do not know. It's just one of those things that works or fails to work, so I can simply give you more examples to see how he balanced the objective with the subjective. The great lord is now from his horse dismounting like cherry blossoms fall. --- You butterfly, fly – I see already on me too much earth-bound earth. --- At mid-summer's height, my umbrella disappeared; hard-core thief, perhaps? --- There are moonlit flowers, forty-nine years' worth of them, beneath whom I've walked. --- Perfect form, oh, snail, bit by bit, unflagged you climb Mount Fuji's great heights. --- Old dog lying there ear on the ground as if to hear Worm's lullaby. And his most famous poem, the one for the loss of his daughter: Tsuyu no yo wa tsuyu no yo nagara sarinagara The way of the dew, the dew's way of departing, brings and takes so much. The Prompt: write one or more Haiku based on an animal observation. This can be an inspirational moment, like a snail climbing a mountain, or a peaceful moment, like a dog napping on the grass. Just anything you see from the animal kingdom that makes you pause and reflect. Keep a seasonal word, and maintain three lines of 5-7-5 syllables. ------------------------------------------------ [1] In Japan, he's simply known as Issa, which is highly unusual. For in Europe, many important people, like Michelangelo and Galileo, are remembered by their first names; in Japan that's almost unheard of. I would speculate it's the intimacy of his poetry that makes people feel close to him; close enough to simply think of him as "Issa." [2] See: The Spring of My Life by Sam Hamill, Boston 1997. [3] Oftentimes the simplest things are the most difficult to translate. Case in point, the word oraga is a masculine form of 'my,' but it carries a certain, forced crudeness to it. It's a spoken work, the kind you're likely to hear in informal settings, like a bar, and its inclusion in the title of a collection of poems must have shocked early readers. I almost toy with the idea that the accurate rendering in English for this book is My Damn Spring. _ Edited February 2, 2023 by AC Benus 3
J.HunterDunn Posted July 5, 2015 Posted July 5, 2015 Here is one about the smallest bird in our garden. He is singing his lungs out while I write this: wren, so small a bird the volume of his spring song makes me feel smaller 3 1
Former Member Posted July 5, 2015 Author Posted July 5, 2015 Here is one about the smallest bird in our garden. He is singing his lungs out while I write this: wren, so small a bird the volume of his spring song makes me feel smaller I think it's great; I also think it's a very much an Issa-style haiku! The contrast between great and small, lofty and personal very much appealed to him. Please continue - and thank you for adding this one here
Puppilull Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 Poetry in a foreign language... Like jumping out of a plane without a parachute. But here goes. A scene from the lake this morning. A pair of geese fly Wing to wing in harmony In the gentle mist 4 1
Dolores Esteban Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 On my way to work today: Dancing butterfly Fleeting wonder of nature To an open eye 1
J.HunterDunn Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 Glad to find another free fall jumper, Puppilull. Having spent many holidays in your beautiful country (the Jutland part of it) with early morning walks alongside one of the fjords, I can easily visualize your geese flying through the mist. 2
Popular Post Headstall Posted July 6, 2015 Popular Post Posted July 6, 2015 (edited) I didn't know the amount of syllables mattered... so it's 5-7-5? Horsefly starts its dive Tail swishes in defiance Begins a dark dance Edited July 6, 2015 by Headstall 6
Puppilull Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 Horsefly diving Tail swishing Begins a dance Inspiration feeds inspiration! Here's another! Flood of poetry Filling every corner here With inspiration 4
Former Member Posted July 6, 2015 Author Posted July 6, 2015 I didn't know the amount of syllables mattered... so it's 5-7-5? Yes, Gary
Popular Post dughlas Posted July 6, 2015 Popular Post Posted July 6, 2015 Dirt under my nails, young ferns potted together, small lush oasis . 6 1
Former Member Posted July 6, 2015 Author Posted July 6, 2015 Dirt under my nails, young ferns potted together, small lush oasis . HEY! Thank you for adding this! I appreciate it
Site Administrator Valkyrie Posted July 6, 2015 Site Administrator Posted July 6, 2015 Darn...I'm out of 'likes' for the day or I would have 'liked' all the contributions. Here's a couple I came up with: Purring bundle lies In a puddle of sunlight. Exhale the day’s cares. Reflected sunspot. Furry warrior strikes quick. Peacefulness returns. 5
Headstall Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 Darn...I'm out of 'likes' for the day or I would have 'liked' all the contributions. Here's a couple I came up with: Purring bundle lies In a puddle of sunlight. Exhale the day’s cares. Reflected sunspot. Furry warrior strikes quick. Peacefulness returns. No likes, but love these! 1
Site Administrator Valkyrie Posted July 6, 2015 Site Administrator Posted July 6, 2015 No likes, but love these! Thanks, Gary. 1
Headstall Posted July 6, 2015 Posted July 6, 2015 Dirt under my nails, young ferns potted together, small lush oasis . That's our Dugh... this better not be the last one... all your status updates are poetic, beautifully so 1
LitLover Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 Dirt under my nails, young ferns potted together, small lush oasis . Out of likes...but I love this and I am so proud of you!!! 1
dughlas Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 That's our Dugh... this better not be the last one... all your status updates are poetic, beautifully so Out of likes...but I love this and I am so proud of you!!! Thanks. 1
dughlas Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) Another before bed ... Swoop, swerve, Swifts, flying … black ‘n tan blur, pup gives chase, dog pursues, birds flee. Well, I thought it was just one ... Cherries ripe, sugar sweet … simmer, simmer, cook it slow, ruby hued new jam. Edited July 7, 2015 by dughlas 4 1
ColumbusGuy Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) Black marks forming words, Give thoughts life both sweet and tart, Feelings stir anew. Edited July 7, 2015 by ColumbusGuy 5
Headstall Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) Hummingbird hovers Iridescence on display Pollinates once more Edited July 7, 2015 by Headstall 1
Headstall Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 Rubs head against me Searches for the carrot treat Munches her success 1 1
dughlas Posted July 7, 2015 Posted July 7, 2015 (edited) Drowsing ball of fur, buzzing buzzing, pup lifts head, remembers past sting. Edited July 7, 2015 by dughlas 5
Puppilull Posted July 8, 2015 Posted July 8, 2015 It did turn into a flood of haikus! So great! Maybe I should try one more myself... Tapping summer rain Outside wet but still the fly Taps glass for freedom 4
Headstall Posted July 8, 2015 Posted July 8, 2015 Bereft at goodbye Wagging tail forever still Bark no longer heard 5
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now