Haiku poems were written by the Japanese in one line. In Japanese the poetic breaks were obvious. In English translations and in English Haiku, folding the poem as in origami into three lines is a way to highlight the structure. In olden times there was a Five-line poem in syllables of 5,7,5,7,7 called a Tanka. The Japanese, being sociable, when travelling would split the poem into three measures (a Haiku) as an abbreviation, and write it say, on a card on the inn wall. This was an invite to all other travellers and viewers who came by to contribute to the work of art, by adding on an ending of the last two lines, making 5 measures in all. Like sharing food or conversation, sharing tea or calligraphy together. In this way poet and audience shared a work of art together, even if they never met, even if they were parted not only by distance, but by the time of many years. Due to language differences, English is not as concise as Japanese. Therefore, whenever choosing to also restrict text to a bare bones form (if possible), the English syllabic equivalent is generally suggested to be in lines of 7, 11, 7 syllables. However, the Japanese poets were not always interested in keeping to a highly restricted form, some experimented with freer forms away from a 5, 7, 5 syllable restriction. What is important is capturing the meaning in the Now, like a flower in your palm.
What to say
when meeting the Tiger...
The meeting is final. Stephen Cheney
Looking into the past,
Looking into the future...
Only in this present moment. Stephen Cheney
Now is the doorway to
Past and Future...
It’s alsoThe doorway to Now. Stephen Cheney
Our rafts
pass...
almost touching. Stephen Cheney
Tattered scarecrow!
The fingers of the wind...
so critical of your stitching. Stephen Cheney
© 2023 Stephen Cheney, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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