| is a centuries old Japanese form of poetry that uses | | | | to "footprints on the beach." |
| just a few words to capture the essence of its | | | | Haiku accomplishes this brilliantly! And in only a few |
| subject. Woods, forests, and oceans have been | | | | words. A remarkable match between economy and |
| topics traditionally used by haiku poets and for good | | | | meaning; just like nature itself! |
| reason - they are all inspiring natural phenomena. | | | | Here's another seashore haiku: |
| Seashore haiku combine both the love of the ocean | | | | Hot June day -- |
| and haiku's inherent ability to portray nature subjects. | | | | An otter |
| For example, take a look at this seashore haiku by | | | | Slips into the sea |
| the author: | | | | The thing about haiku is that if it's done right, it's |
| Early fall morning -- | | | | supposed to put you in a trance state. That is, the |
| Only footprints | | | | "aha" moment or "ah" moment as I like to call it |
| On the beach | | | | comes from the juxtaposition between line 1 and |
| Notice how the mood or ambiance of this poem is | | | | lines 2 and 3. This is not a koan (a question with no |
| set in the first line. Here we know the time of year it | | | | real answer) but a series of images that create a |
| is. We also know the time of day. Now, from this | | | | snapshot of a feeling or mood for the reader. |
| macro viewpoint comes something micro - something | | | | These brief poems are a perfect match for |
| in particular…the description of footprints on | | | | describing a nature scene. In fact, not may poetic |
| the beach. Together, this haiku poem creates | | | | forms can transport you so easily to a scene as |
| something called an absolute metaphor. We get a | | | | haiku can. With just a few choice words, you are |
| glimpse or feeling for the time of year, then we hone | | | | instantly transported away to a place of beauty and |
| in on something very specific. Read as a complete | | | | peace. |
| poem, the mind must make a leap from "fall morning" | | | | |