Although the form constraints of haikus are specific and seemingly limiting, I find that haikus are often the most comforting type of poetry to write, especially when I don’t know what else to write. There are only 5-7-5 syllables per line, which challenges me to spend more time contemplating a concise and effective use of words, whereas often without such guidelines, writing poetry can feel like wandering through a forest without a map–not necessarily an unpleasant experience by any means, but the haiku’s structure acts like a compass; it points the direction, and I am free to be as creative as I’d like within those constraints.
In today’s post, I share with you a series of haikus which illustrate moments of everyday life–the lovely, the gross, and the honest; from the dilemma of figuring out what to wear to the telltale sound of a cat vomiting. I invite you to read these aloud, as they have been carefully contemplated based on sound, rhyme, flow, and meaning. Each haiku is intended to stand on its own. Enjoy!
Continue reading “Everyday Life Haikus”
Slanted Spines 