haiku-usa

A blog devoted mainly to haiku and senryu and to thoughts about, and inspired by, haiku and senryu.

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Location: New York, New York

Haiku is to poetry as espresso is to coffee.

Sunday, March 31, 2013

sunrise

Easter sunrise
the play of light 
on the ceiling

Happy Easter to those who observe it, and best of the day to all.

Friday, March 29, 2013

maiden aunt

my maiden aunt
the upright piano
no one ever played

This is the one that was published in A Hundred Gourds. The editor, Lorin  Ford, did not choose this one over the other;  this is the one I sent her.

I'll add a comment after I've given you a chance to make yours.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

grandmother's house

grandmother's house
the upright piano
no one ever played

A slightly different version of this (which I'll post in a little while) was published in A Hundred Gourds.

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

For Gillena

good news –
instead of snow cold rain
this night of spring

This grew out of my response to Gillena's comment on "past." (March 25)

Monday, March 25, 2013

past

past the equinox
but these old bones
say "winter"

Sunday, March 24, 2013

moving

moving day
I walk through
your echoes

First published in A Hundred Gourds

Friday, March 22, 2013

storm warning

storm warning
but who will warn
the daffodils

Posted as a comment at Jem's delightful blog March 6, 2013

Thursday, March 21, 2013

March 21: World Poetry Day

world poetry day
I try to tell
the wind

before & after

before & after
the vernal equinox
winter wind

Left,  just moments ago, as a comment on Polona's blog. I recently observed that Polona has quietly been taking her place among our finest haiku poets. Get to know her, if you haven't done so already.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

interstate

interstate
the vacancies
of winter rain

First published in A Hundred Gourds

Sunday, March 17, 2013

childhood

childhood home
not as tall as
I used to be

Left as a comment at John McDonald's blog. If you are not familiar with John's blog, check it out. John writes his haiku in both Scots and standard English.

Friday, March 15, 2013

wind and rain

I like this one by Frank Williams. You can access his blog by clicking on "Frank Williams" in the list to the left

bitter wind . . .
we take refuge
in a betting shop

I was motivated to this response, based on how things were with me 35+ years ago:

sudden rain
I look for a bar
to stay dry in

It's a special kind of pleasure when another poet's work inspires my own. 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

habemus papam

habemus papam
waiting for the smoke
to clear

3/13/13 7:42 AM EDT

the way
the wind blows
black smoke

Monday, March 11, 2013

laetare

Laetare Sunday
at the kiss of peace
I hug my wife

Laetare Sunday occurs halfway through Lent; it was observed yesterday, March 10. "Laetare" may be translated "Rejoice!" The kiss of peace is a point at which worshippers wish one another the peace of Christ. The "kiss" is usually a handshake or something of the sort. But those in more intimate relationships – married couples, family members, close friends, etc. – may actually kiss. 

I posted this yesterday as a comment at Gillena's blog.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

centuries

This morning at Monika's excellent blog, I came across this ku. It was in French, but I translated it into English, and, with Monika's permission, I share my translation of her poem with you

cardinals in Rome
their secret discussion
of transparency

The ku inspired a comment, which took the form of a monostich, or one-line poem – in this case, a senryu

the Church thinks in centuries not this one

Friday, March 08, 2013

between

between Popes
I look for my place
in the Missal

Missal: A book containing the texts used in the Catholic Mass throughout the year. Many Catholics "follow" the Mass in the missal, a practice going back to a time when the Mass was in Latin; by providing an English translation, the missal let us know where we were.

Thursday, March 07, 2013

don't blame me

March 7: Snow today and more snow on the way

don't blame me
says the groundhog –
it's climate change! 

Wednesday, March 06, 2013

winter heat

winter heat
pushing down
the covers

Shiki Kukai, February 2013; assigned topic "cover"

This is a ku about apartment living, especially where the thermostat is set by an external force, giving the residents no control over the heat levels in the apartment. Or, welcome to my world.

Sunday, March 03, 2013

figure skater

figure skater
the years of practice
in her smile

First published in A Hundred Gourds

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