Haikuniverse

[MilesTRanter]

I saw this poem in my email today.

haiku by Caleb Murdock

Eating “forever
chemicals” isn’t making
me last forever.

[CalebPerry]

Thank you, Miles.

I came over here to make the announcement, but you beat me to it!

I am new to haiku.

[MilesTRanter]

Caleb, I love the dark humor in the poem, which, believe it or not, is actually a senryū.

Senryū (川柳) is a Japanese form of short poetry similar to haiku in construction: three lines with 17 morae (or on, often translated as syllables, but see the article on onji for distinctions). Senryū tend to be about human foibles while haiku tend to be about nature, and senryū are often cynical or darkly humorous while haiku are more serious. Unlike haiku, senryū do not include a kireji (cutting word), and do not generally include a kigo, or season word. —Wikipedia

[jisbell00]

Very nice!

Cheers,
John

[CalebPerry]

Miles, you can help me out here.

Instead of referring back to the original Japanese forms, what are the forms that English-speaking poets generally use, and how many syllables do they have?

Thank you.

[Macavity]

Like it Caleb. Darkly amusing as Martin says.

Bw

Phil

[MilesTRanter]

For Caleb:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haiku_in_English

[CalebPerry]

Miles, instead of referring me to Wikipedia, which I hate, why not just give me your opinion.

Is 5-7-5 syllables the standard haiku form, or is that just for senyu?

Thanks.

[Firebird]

Many congrats Celeb. I really like your haiku.

Cheers,

Tristan

[CalebPerry]

Thank you, Tristan!

But they didn't print the other one I included, which I thought was more profound:

The world is a pond,
but the pond has grown so large
everyone is lost.

[jisbell00]

I like them both.

Cheers,
John

[CalebPerry]

Thanks, John.

As I said in the thread about the Stars poem (which has been revised), I have your book now. However, I ordered four poetry books, and I'll be reading the one written by a friend before I read yours and Miles' books.