Discussion:
Haiku
(too old to reply)
Blue Sow
2007-05-18 12:12:29 UTC
Permalink
This was my first attempt at the form.
My primary objective was to observe 'the rules'.


Captain Spoon looked out.
She saw the snow on the ground
and she turned away.


Perhaps someone would like to post a 'better' example.
--
Blue Sow
Skipper
2007-05-18 16:03:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by Blue Sow
This was my first attempt at the form.
My primary objective was to observe 'the rules'.
Captain Spoon looked out.
She saw the snow on the ground
and she turned away.
Perhaps someone would like to post a 'better' example.
http://www.hsa-haiku.org/HSA_Definitions_2004.html

Definition: A haiku is a short poem that uses imagistic language to
convey the essence of an experience of nature or the season intuitively
linked to the human condition.

Notes: Most haiku in English consist of three unrhymed lines of
seventeen or fewer syllables, with the middle line longest, though
today's poets use a variety of line lengths and arrangements. In
Japanese a typical haiku has seventeen "sounds" (on) arranged five,
seven, and five. (Some translators of Japanese poetry have noted that
about twelve syllables in English approximates the duration of
seventeen Japanese on.) Traditional Japanese haiku include a "season
word" (kigo), a word or phrase that helps identify the season of the
experience recorded in the poem, and a "cutting word" (kireji), a sort
of spoken punctuation that marks a pause or gives emphasis to one part
of the poem. In English, season words are sometimes omitted, but the
original focus on experience captured in clear images continues. The
most common technique is juxtaposing two images or ideas (Japanese
rensô). Punctuation, space, a line-break, or a grammatical break may
substitute for a cutting word. Most haiku have no titles, and metaphors
and similes are commonly avoided. (Haiku do sometimes have brief
prefatory notes, usually specifying the setting or similar facts;
metaphors and similes in the simple sense of these terms do sometimes
occur, but not frequently. A discussion of what might be called "deep
metaphor" or symbolism in haiku is beyond the range of a definition.
Various kinds of "pseudohaiku" have also arisen in recent years; see
the Notes to "senryu", below, for a brief discussion.)


Afternoon in autumn
Winding lifting leaves, one floats free
Spirit tells this is a special life
Blue Sow
2007-05-18 16:53:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
This was my first attempt at the form.
My primary objective was to observe 'the rules'.
Captain Spoon looked out.
She saw the snow on the ground
and she turned away.
Perhaps someone would like to post a 'better' example.
Afternoon in autumn
Winding lifting leaves, one floats free
Spirit tells this is a special life
Is that your own?
--
Blue Sow
Skipper
2007-05-18 22:35:47 UTC
Permalink
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
This was my first attempt at the form.
My primary objective was to observe 'the rules'.
Captain Spoon looked out.
She saw the snow on the ground
and she turned away.
Perhaps someone would like to post a 'better' example.
Afternoon in autumn
Winding lifting leaves, one floats free
Spirit tells this is a special life
Is that your own?
Yep, just made 'er up.
Blue Sow
2007-05-18 23:07:37 UTC
Permalink
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Afternoon in autumn
Winding lifting leaves, one floats free
Spirit tells this is a special life
Is that your own?
Yep, just made 'er up.
So, any more for
any more, now a thread be
started up at last
--
Blue Sow
Skipper
2007-05-19 03:46:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Afternoon in autumn
Winding lifting leaves, one floats free
Spirit tells this is a special life
Is that your own?
Yep, just made 'er up.
So, any more for
any more, now a thread be
started up at last
Blue sow feeling like a flower
Misunderstood by one not knowing the name
Blooms in spring verging on summer
Blue Sow
2007-05-19 09:16:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Afternoon in autumn
Winding lifting leaves, one floats free
Spirit tells this is a special life
Is that your own?
Yep, just made 'er up.
So, any more for
any more, now a thread be
started up at last
Blue sow feeling like a flower
Misunderstood by one not knowing the name
Blooms in spring verging on summer
I have to wait until July for them here, usually.
But in a similar vein ...


Skipper flutters by
Placing poems here and there
Sunlit sea sparkles.


(I had the choice of the butterfly or a 'captain', no doubt among others.)
--
Blue Sow
aka Blue Sow-thistle
Skipper
2007-05-19 17:46:33 UTC
Permalink
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Afternoon in autumn
Winding lifting leaves, one floats free
Spirit tells this is a special life
Is that your own?
Yep, just made 'er up.
So, any more for
any more, now a thread be
started up at last
Blue sow feeling like a flower
Misunderstood by one not knowing the name
Blooms in spring verging on summer
I have to wait until July for them here, usually.
But in a similar vein ...
Skipper flutters by
Placing poems here and there
Sunlit sea sparkles.
(I had the choice of the butterfly or a 'captain', no doubt among others.)
Why do you have to wait for July for them, because that's when blue
sow-thistles bloom? ;-)
FCS
2007-05-20 21:05:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Afternoon in autumn
Winding lifting leaves, one floats free
Spirit tells this is a special life
Is that your own?
Yep, just made 'er up.
So, any more for
any more, now a thread be
started up at last
Blue sow feeling like a flower
Misunderstood by one not knowing the name
Blooms in spring verging on summer
I have to wait until July for them here, usually.
But in a similar vein ...
Skipper flutters by
Placing poems here and there
Sunlit sea sparkles.
(I had the choice of the butterfly or a 'captain', no doubt among others.)
--
Blue Sow
aka Blue Sow-thistle- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
Sticky summer sweet
salad rustles, leaves spring forth
hurdling clocks, to wit

* NB I am correct in thinking that
although haiku can be stand-alone
they can also be run into sets of
stanzae, e.g., ABAB/CDCD/CBCB/ADAD
to form "complete" poems, yes?

G DAEB

COPYRIGHT (C) 2007 SIPSTON
--
JF
2007-05-21 04:07:35 UTC
Permalink
X-No-Archive: yes
Post by FCS
Sticky summer sweet
salad rustles, leaves spring forth
hurdling clocks, to wit
* NB I am correct in thinking that
although haiku can be stand-alone
they can also be run into sets of
stanzae, e.g., ABAB/CDCD/CBCB/ADAD
to form "complete" poems, yes?
G DAEB
You never feed me.
Perhaps I'll sleep on yourface.
That will sure show you.

You must scratch me there!
Yes, above my tail!
Behold, elevator butt.

The rule for today
Touch my tail, I shred yourhand.
New rule tomorrow.

In deep sleep hear sound
Cat vomit, hairball somewhere
Will find in morning.

Grace personified.
I leap into the window.
I meant to do that.

Blur of motion, then
silence, me, a paper bag.
What is so funny?

The mighty hunter
Returns with gifts of plumpbirds
Your foot just squashed one.

You're always typing.
Well, let's see you ignore my
sitting on your hands.

My small cardboard box.
You cannot see me if I
can just hide my head.

Terrible battle.
I fought for hours. Come and see!
What's a draft novel?

Kitty likes plastic
Confuses for litter box
Don't leave tarp around

Small brave carnivores
Kill pine cones and mosquitoes
Fear vacuum cleaners

I want to be close to you.
Can I fit my head
Inside your armpit?

Wanna go outside.
Oh, shit! Help! I got outside!
Let me back inside!

Oh no! Big One
has been trapped by newspaper!
Cat to the rescue!

Humans are so strange.
Mine lies still in bed, then screams
My claws are not that sharp.

Cats meow out of angst
"Thumbs! If only we had thumbs!
We could break so much!"

Litter box not here
You must have moved it again
I'll crap in the sink

The Big Ones snore now
Every room is dark and cold
Time for "Cup Hockey"

We're almost equals
I purr to show I love you
Want to smell my butt?
--
James Follett. Novelist (Callsign G1LXP)
Skipper
2007-05-21 07:35:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by JF
X-No-Archive: yes
Post by FCS
Sticky summer sweet
salad rustles, leaves spring forth
hurdling clocks, to wit
* NB I am correct in thinking that
although haiku can be stand-alone
they can also be run into sets of
stanzae, e.g., ABAB/CDCD/CBCB/ADAD
to form "complete" poems, yes?
G DAEB
You never feed me.
Perhaps I'll sleep on yourface.
That will sure show you.
You must scratch me there!
Yes, above my tail!
Behold, elevator butt.
The rule for today
Touch my tail, I shred yourhand.
New rule tomorrow.
In deep sleep hear sound
Cat vomit, hairball somewhere
Will find in morning.
Grace personified.
I leap into the window.
I meant to do that.
Blur of motion, then
silence, me, a paper bag.
What is so funny?
The mighty hunter
Returns with gifts of plumpbirds
Your foot just squashed one.
You're always typing.
Well, let's see you ignore my
sitting on your hands.
My small cardboard box.
You cannot see me if I
can just hide my head.
Terrible battle.
I fought for hours. Come and see!
What's a draft novel?
Kitty likes plastic
Confuses for litter box
Don't leave tarp around
Small brave carnivores
Kill pine cones and mosquitoes
Fear vacuum cleaners
I want to be close to you.
Can I fit my head
Inside your armpit?
Wanna go outside.
Oh, shit! Help! I got outside!
Let me back inside!
Oh no! Big One
has been trapped by newspaper!
Cat to the rescue!
Humans are so strange.
Mine lies still in bed, then screams
My claws are not that sharp.
Cats meow out of angst
"Thumbs! If only we had thumbs!
We could break so much!"
Litter box not here
You must have moved it again
I'll crap in the sink
The Big Ones snore now
Every room is dark and cold
Time for "Cup Hockey"
We're almost equals
I purr to show I love you
Want to smell my butt?
Gesundheit
FCS
2007-06-07 02:03:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by JF
X-No-Archive: yes
Post by FCS
Sticky summer sweet
salad rustles, leaves spring forth
hurdling clocks, to wit
* NB I am correct in thinking that
although haiku can be stand-alone
they can also be run into sets of
stanzae, e.g., ABAB/CDCD/CBCB/ADAD
to form "complete" poems, yes?
G DAEB
You never feed me.
Perhaps I'll sleep on yourface.
That will sure show you.
You must scratch me there!
Yes, above my tail!
Behold, elevator butt.
The rule for today
Touch my tail, I shred yourhand.
New rule tomorrow.
In deep sleep hear sound
Cat vomit, hairball somewhere
Will find in morning.
Grace personified.
I leap into the window.
I meant to do that.
Blur of motion, then
silence, me, a paper bag.
What is so funny?
The mighty hunter
Returns with gifts of plumpbirds
Your foot just squashed one.
You're always typing.
Well, let's see you ignore my
sitting on your hands.
My small cardboard box.
You cannot see me if I
can just hide my head.
Terrible battle.
I fought for hours. Come and see!
What's a draft novel?
Kitty likes plastic
Confuses for litter box
Don't leave tarp around
Small brave carnivores
Kill pine cones and mosquitoes
Fear vacuum cleaners
I want to be close to you.
Can I fit my head
Inside your armpit?
Wanna go outside.
Oh, shit! Help! I got outside!
Let me back inside!
Oh no! Big One
has been trapped by newspaper!
Cat to the rescue!
Humans are so strange.
Mine lies still in bed, then screams
My claws are not that sharp.
Cats meow out of angst
"Thumbs! If only we had thumbs!
We could break so much!"
Litter box not here
You must have moved it again
I'll crap in the sink
The Big Ones snore now
Every room is dark and cold
Time for "Cup Hockey"
We're almost equals
I purr to show I love you
Want to smell my butt?
Gesundheit- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
I didn't spot too many seasonal
references.
FCS
2007-06-07 02:04:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by JF
X-No-Archive: yes
Post by FCS
Sticky summer sweet
salad rustles, leaves spring forth
hurdling clocks, to wit
* NB I am correct in thinking that
although haiku can be stand-alone
they can also be run into sets of
stanzae, e.g., ABAB/CDCD/CBCB/ADAD
to form "complete" poems, yes?
G DAEB
You never feed me.
Perhaps I'll sleep on yourface.
That will sure show you.
You must scratch me there!
Yes, above my tail!
Behold, elevator butt.
The rule for today
Touch my tail, I shred yourhand.
New rule tomorrow.
In deep sleep hear sound
Cat vomit, hairball somewhere
Will find in morning.
Grace personified.
I leap into the window.
I meant to do that.
Blur of motion, then
silence, me, a paper bag.
What is so funny?
The mighty hunter
Returns with gifts of plumpbirds
Your foot just squashed one.
You're always typing.
Well, let's see you ignore my
sitting on your hands.
My small cardboard box.
You cannot see me if I
can just hide my head.
Terrible battle.
I fought for hours. Come and see!
What's a draft novel?
Kitty likes plastic
Confuses for litter box
Don't leave tarp around
Small brave carnivores
Kill pine cones and mosquitoes
Fear vacuum cleaners
I want to be close to you.
Can I fit my head
Inside your armpit?
Wanna go outside.
Oh, shit! Help! I got outside!
Let me back inside!
Oh no! Big One
has been trapped by newspaper!
Cat to the rescue!
Humans are so strange.
Mine lies still in bed, then screams
My claws are not that sharp.
Cats meow out of angst
"Thumbs! If only we had thumbs!
We could break so much!"
Litter box not here
You must have moved it again
I'll crap in the sink
The Big Ones snore now
Every room is dark and cold
Time for "Cup Hockey"
We're almost equals
I purr to show I love you
Want to smell my butt?
Gesundheit- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
I haven't seen too many of the
seasonal references that were
cited as integral to the haiku
form earlier.
Blue Sow
2007-05-21 08:19:59 UTC
Permalink
JF wrote:
[snip]


LOL

Perhaps a new furball thread ...


Have you tried Haiku?
--
Blue Sow
Skipper
2007-05-21 07:36:36 UTC
Permalink
Post by FCS
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Skipper
Afternoon in autumn
Winding lifting leaves, one floats free
Spirit tells this is a special life
Is that your own?
Yep, just made 'er up.
So, any more for
any more, now a thread be
started up at last
Blue sow feeling like a flower
Misunderstood by one not knowing the name
Blooms in spring verging on summer
I have to wait until July for them here, usually.
But in a similar vein ...
Skipper flutters by
Placing poems here and there
Sunlit sea sparkles.
(I had the choice of the butterfly or a 'captain', no doubt among others.)
--
Blue Sow
aka Blue Sow-thistle- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
Sticky summer sweet
salad rustles, leaves spring forth
hurdling clocks, to wit
* NB I am correct in thinking that
although haiku can be stand-alone
they can also be run into sets of
stanzae, e.g., ABAB/CDCD/CBCB/ADAD
to form "complete" poems, yes?
G DAEB
COPYRIGHT (C) 2007 SIPSTON
--
It's a 17-syllable thing with variations as I understand it. Check out
the Wikipedia definition. Also, you need the "season" or nature thing
in there somewhere.
Blue Sow
2007-05-21 08:18:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by FCS
Sticky summer sweet
salad rustles, leaves spring forth
hurdling clocks, to wit
* NB I am correct in thinking that
although haiku can be stand-alone
they can also be run into sets of
stanzae, e.g., ABAB/CDCD/CBCB/ADAD
to form "complete" poems, yes?
Three lines of seventeen syllables (5-7-5) *is* a complete poem.
It is not that they can stand alone, more that they do, that being the point of
the exercise.

Your question seems to suggest a rhyming pattern. Haiku does not rhyme in that
way (with rhyming end-of-line words). In-line rhyming may occur, as may
alliteration or terminal alliteration.

Joining them together to make more space in which to develop a theme defeats the
objective of condensing an experience, and its meaning, into seventeen syllables.
--
Blue Sow
Blue Sow
2007-05-21 08:22:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by Blue Sow
Post by FCS
Sticky summer sweet
salad rustles, leaves spring forth
hurdling clocks, to wit
* NB I am correct in thinking that
although haiku can be stand-alone
they can also be run into sets of
stanzae, e.g., ABAB/CDCD/CBCB/ADAD
to form "complete" poems, yes?
Three lines of seventeen syllables (5-7-5) *is* a complete poem.
It is not that they can stand alone, more that they do, that being the
point of the exercise.
Your question seems to suggest a rhyming pattern. Haiku does not rhyme
in that way (with rhyming end-of-line words). In-line rhyming may
occur, as may alliteration or terminal alliteration.
Joining them together to make more space in which to develop a theme
defeats the objective of condensing an experience, and its meaning, into
seventeen syllables.
And I forgot to mention, you seem to be asking about a four line rhyming scheme
which does not really work with three line poetry.
--
Blue Sow
FCS
2007-06-07 03:32:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by Blue Sow
Post by Blue Sow
Post by FCS
Sticky summer sweet
salad rustles, leaves spring forth
hurdling clocks, to wit
* NB I am correct in thinking that
although haiku can be stand-alone
they can also be run into sets of
stanzae, e.g., ABAB/CDCD/CBCB/ADAD
to form "complete" poems, yes?
Three lines of seventeen syllables (5-7-5) *is* a complete poem.
It is not that they can stand alone, more that they do, that being the
point of the exercise.
Your question seems to suggest a rhyming pattern. Haiku does not rhyme
in that way (with rhyming end-of-line words). In-line rhyming may
occur, as may alliteration or terminal alliteration.
Joining them together to make more space in which to develop a theme
defeats the objective of condensing an experience, and its meaning, into
seventeen syllables.
And I forgot to mention, you seem to be asking about a four line rhyming scheme
which does not really work with three line poetry.
--
Blue Sow- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
Thankyou. Point taken. Not quite sure
what it was I had in mind there, as I
look back--particularly the scheme of
a three line poem with couplets.

On the other hand I have read sets of
themed haiku before, and was somewhat
confused as I had taken it as a stand
alone form before seeing these.

As Shinto is quite concerned with the
veneration of one's ancestors and, to
a far lesser extent currently, royals
rather than bing focussed on deifying
planets or elemental forces I take it
it's a predominantly secular form. Is
there much in the way of tradition on
temporal factors would you know?

By this I mean I'm thinking can haiku
be equally applicable to reflecting a
life of partnership on an anniversary
as to capturing the tenor of a chorus
of insects in the evening? That where
the art comes in is in the distilling
into 17 syllables of a discrete theme
regardless of its duration?

As such one could haiku thunder, as a
meta-phenomenon, or haiku a summer in
which thunderstorms were prominent or
haiku a particular thunderstorm, even
haiku the stillness between a fork of
lightning and its particularly abrupt
thunderclap as a storm is overhead?

I'm thinking in terms of themes in UK
literature such as the "coming of age
narrative" but, also, with one eye on
the cultural absence of associations,
in Japanese culture, with "wussiness"
in poetry--quite a strong one here in
recent history.

It's not just that I'm thinking of. I
also have in mind that events which a
Euphratian partiarch, say, might view
as being within one lifetime's memory
- E.g. the "Hundred Years'" War - but
modern humans would be lacking in the
longevity for can be a "theme". There
were archers in Spring campaigns each
time hostilities escalated, IIRC, and
their tactics were unchanged year in,
and year out, which was distilled for
Churchill in his "V for Victory".

Or is it more to the point that haiku
should be, returning to thunderstorms
as above, not only the pause before a
particularly heavy static earthing in
one storm but also a pause from one I
remember from childhood and similarly
hint at the essences of perception of
all storms? Or is it more faithful to
simply work with one moment in one?

Excuse the delay-lay-lay-lay-lay-lay.

I decided I should get me some fresh,
at least to me, influences, seeing as
poetry was on the agenda and, only as
I awoke in the wee small hours with a
need to renew the library books I got
to do this from today did I recall it
is rather longer since I popped in to
see where things were at here than I,
strictly, meant to.

I was gladdened to learn haiku really
should be a stand-alone discipline as
I might have been tempted to spin out
in tedious and repetitive detail some
tiles, on a roof, on a house, down in
Rhymney just because I've never been.

I'm now sure I shall never need to.

high comb o'hiraeth
swabs lichen-eaten wallstones'
honey summer glow

G DAEB

PS. Er, it seems that google gateways
have been becoming increasingly flaky
for other UK posters a few months now
AFA USENET goes--another reason I was
not bounding straight back in so that
there was time for the glitches to be
sorting themselves out.

PPS. Hiraeth is a Welsh word I've now
seen, a few times, in some surprising
places, and which I gather is akin to
a kind of nostalgia-with-integrity. I
believe the literal interpretation is
"longing" and it's kind of in-between
"missing" something and "mourning" it
as far as intensity goes.

COPYRIGHT (C) 2007 SIPSTON
--
Blue Sow
2007-06-07 13:05:03 UTC
Permalink
Post by FCS
As Shinto is quite concerned with the
veneration of one's ancestors and, to
a far lesser extent currently, royals
rather than bing focussed on deifying
planets or elemental forces I take it
it's a predominantly secular form. Is
there much in the way of tradition on
temporal factors would you know?
I am not sure that I agree with your view of Shinto in terms of its focus. From
the viewpoint Shinto, distinguishing between the 'religious' and the 'secular'
as those terms are used in western culture is perhaps misleading.
If we use 'religion' to mean a system of spiritual beliefs, then it may be seen
that many religions do not include notions of deity and of those that do, most
would not limit themselves to less than several deities.

I would suggest that haiku takes a human spiritual experience which is related
in some way to the natural world and condenses it to the point where only the
essence of the experience remains.
Post by FCS
By this I mean I'm thinking can haiku
be equally applicable to reflecting a
life of partnership on an anniversary
as to capturing the tenor of a chorus
of insects in the evening? That where
the art comes in is in the distilling
into 17 syllables of a discrete theme
regardless of its duration?
The form has been used in many ways but capturing the essence of an experience
is the intention, while tradition requires a seasonal theme.
Post by FCS
high comb o'hiraeth
swabs lichen-eaten wallstones'
honey summer glow
G DAEB
PS. Er, it seems that google gateways
have been becoming increasingly flaky
for other UK posters a few months now
AFA USENET goes
I only use Google as an occasional search engine. For Usenet, I use a news reader.
Post by FCS
PPS. Hiraeth is a Welsh word I've now
seen, a few times, [...] I
believe the literal interpretation is
"longing" and it's kind of in-between
"missing" something and "mourning" it
as far as intensity goes.
BBC Wales suggests:
"Finding one's true spiritual home. If you ever do, you know the meaning of
hiraeth - there is no comparable word in English - it describes the feeling that
true 'home' feels like, wherever."


Given the above, it would seem a good 'topic' for Haiku.

The realisation that:
Home is not necessarily related to place of birth etc.;
Nationality has equally little to do with place of birth, nationality of one's
parents, or passports possessed;
Religion is not restricted by western concepts, is not dependent upon the
beliefs of parents, does not exclude atheism, and cannot be inherent at birth;
... That is 'coming of age', is it not?


Footnote: My spelling checking software wanted to replace 'hiraeth' with
'urethrae'. Surely that would be taking ...
--
Blue Sow
Skipper
2007-06-07 14:16:31 UTC
Permalink
Post by Blue Sow
I would suggest that haiku takes a human spiritual experience which is
related in some way to the natural world and condenses it to the point where only the
essence of the experience remains.
I, too, haiku
And you?
It's true?
Springtime!
FCS
2007-06-08 04:13:55 UTC
Permalink
Post by Blue Sow
Post by FCS
As Shinto is quite concerned with the
veneration of one's ancestors and, to
a far lesser extent currently, royals
rather than bing focussed on deifying
planets or elemental forces I take it
it's a predominantly secular form. Is
there much in the way of tradition on
temporal factors would you know?
I am not sure that I agree with your view of Shinto in terms of its focus. From
the viewpoint Shinto, distinguishing between the 'religious' and the 'secular'
as those terms are used in western culture is perhaps misleading.
If we use 'religion' to mean a system of spiritual beliefs, then it may be seen
that many religions do not include notions of deity and of those that do, most
would not limit themselves to less than several deities.
On the other hand, the Concise Oxford gives an
etymology of it being contracted from a "light
verse"--light, I presume, as in the sense of a
light relief, light lunch or light-heart, thus
not in the sense of luciferan or even hallowed

I suppose there's a light-spirit or lightness-
of-being to consider...
Post by Blue Sow
I would suggest that haiku takes a human spiritual experience which is related
in some way to the natural world and condenses it to the point where only the
essence of the experience remains.
Post by FCS
By this I mean I'm thinking can haiku
be equally applicable to reflecting a
life of partnership on an anniversary
as to capturing the tenor of a chorus
of insects in the evening? That where
the art comes in is in the distilling
into 17 syllables of a discrete theme
regardless of its duration?
The form has been used in many ways but capturing the essence of an experience
is the intention, while tradition requires a seasonal theme.
Post by FCS
high comb o'hiraeth
swabs lichen-eaten wallstones'
honey summer glow
G DAEB
PS. Er, it seems that google gateways
have been becoming increasingly flaky
for other UK posters a few months now
AFA USENET goes
I only use Google as an occasional search engine. For Usenet, I use a news reader.
Post by FCS
PPS. Hiraeth is a Welsh word I've now
seen, a few times, [...] I
believe the literal interpretation is
"longing" and it's kind of in-between
"missing" something and "mourning" it
as far as intensity goes.
"Finding one's true spiritual home. If you ever do, you know the meaning of
hiraeth - there is no comparable word in English - it describes the feeling that
true 'home' feels like, wherever."
Given the above, it would seem a good 'topic' for Haiku.
Home is not necessarily related to place of birth etc.;
Nationality has equally little to do with place of birth, nationality of one's
parents, or passports possessed;
Your information is more up-to-date than mine but
I gather it's a concept that's easier to grasp if
you are a Welsh speaker. Certainly, the anthology
of Anglo-Welsh poets I've been immersed in gives,
in many ways, a sense that the spiritual home can
only be in, er, Wales.

As I'd never read it before, and it's been in the
stocks here for, like, yonks, I was amazed at how
strongly some of the stuff I did 20 years back as
an adolescent echoed some of the themes in it.

None of those were haiku though.

Coming back to where "home" is I don't suppose it
would have been seen to behove the anthology if a
stream of Welsh poets were writing about how cool
life in LA, NY or Las Vegas is...

...perhaps Tom Jones might like to ponder whether
that's a gauntlet that might fit him?
Post by Blue Sow
Religion is not restricted by western concepts, is not dependent upon the
beliefs of parents, does not exclude atheism, and cannot be inherent at birth;
... That is 'coming of age', is it not?
I didn't think that was the point of, say,
"American Graffitti", which is a classic
"coming of age" movie. I'm struggling for
a British one. I guess that perhaps one or
other of the youth-soaps on C4/C5 family
of channels is roughly there. Hollyoaks
is a "coming of age" soap in many ways,
but the movie is one narrative whereas the
point of serials is ongoing development...
Post by Blue Sow
Footnote: My spelling checking software wanted to replace 'hiraeth' with
'urethrae'. Surely that would be taking ...
<grin>
Post by Blue Sow
--
Blue Sow
G DAEB

COPYRIGHT (C) 2007 SIPSTON
--
Blue Sow
2007-06-08 10:15:28 UTC
Permalink
Post by FCS
Post by Blue Sow
... That is 'coming of age', is it not?
I didn't think that was the point of, say,
"American Graffitti", which is a classic
"coming of age" movie. I'm struggling for
a British one. I guess that perhaps one or
other of the youth-soaps on C4/C5 family
of channels is roughly there. Hollyoaks
is a "coming of age" soap in many ways,
but the movie is one narrative whereas the
point of serials is ongoing development...
Not having seen the film you mention, I have no idea what the point of it may
have been, if indeed it had one.
Nor have I seen any 'soaps', Hollyoaks or otherwise, but I thought the point of
those programmes was that they had no point - televised Bills and Moan, or similar.

In any event, I was perhaps offering a view of what 'coming of age' should mean,
rather than applying it to something that everyone does almost always in an
uninteresting way. Using the definition I offered, you will note that not
everyone 'comes of age'.
--
Blue Sow
Loading...