A December of Haiku

[Paulclem]

I was impressed earlier in the year by Aunt Shecky's poem a day for a month. I doubt I'd be able to attempt anything as ambitious as that. I did think I'd like to try a Haiku a day and so I've started it this month.

I will be sticking with the 3 line, 5-7-5 syllable structure. I will not be limiting them to contemplations within a rural environment. I would like to include urban Haiku within the description, though this will depend upon how the writing goes.

Traditionally Haiku focus upon observations of nature which reflect some spiritual contemplation, and, whilst this would be fine, I think an urban aspect is acceptable and relevant for a city dweller such as myself.

I have been practising writing Haiku through November with a view to completing 31 in a series. I am hoping that;
the winter environment
frost and snow
the cold and rain
Christmas and the New Year
And, throughout all the topics, people and the human condition
will prove to be fruitful topics for this short poem form.

I've done four already for December, which I will post now, and then I'll continue to post one a day until Decembr 31st.



December 1st 2012

My mind is roving.
Today can I even think
one meaningful thing?


2nd December 2012

A cough in the night.
Dog in the frosty garden.
Grass brittle as sticks.



3rd of December 2012

Memory bouquets
tied to lamposts. The city
bedecked in flowers.



4th December 2012

The edges of this
crystal night are sharp and cold
as Orion's knife.

[cacian]

Paulclem these are lovely haikus.

The 3rd of December one is especially poignant.

[Paulclem]

Thank you Cacian.

[Paulclem]

5th December 2012

Beard trimmings sprinkle
the sink like the hours we waste
living in mirrors.

[Paulclem]

December 6th 2012

In this Arctic wind
I may inhale Russian breath,
Or a polar bear's.

[Jassy Melson]

All of these are excellent. I especially like 4th December. I think it's the most descriptive and "sharp." It also has a sound to it that is almost a rhyming sound.

[Paulclem]

Thanks Jassy.

[Paulclem]

7th December 2012

Seagulls shun the trees
but roost on roofs to face the
storms from our house-cliffs.

[Calidore]

From the first week, I think I like the 6th the best so far.

Great project; looking forward to the rest.

[Paulclem]

Thanks mate.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

A Haiku Advents calender.
Something to look forward to each day in December.
I'll second Calidore on the 6th.

[Pete Ak]

Excellent - especially appreciate the one pointing out the time we waste 'living in mirrors'.

[Paulclem]

Thanks Gilliatt and Pete.

[Paulclem]

8th December 2012

The corner house has
a blow up santa which gives
an airy allure.

[Paulclem]

9th December 2012

These collected things
will be useful when I have
to jog my old thoughts.

[YesNo]

I liked the one for today. Each one makes sense. It's an interesting project.

[Paulclem]

Thanks YesNo.

I'm finding the process interesting; a little bit of pressure to come up with something each day, and how the poems come about is interesting too. Sometimes it's a line that comes during an activity, such as December 5th's about beard trimmings. In others it takes a few drafts to come up with a final - for now - form. This was the case with December 4th's about Orion. I know Jassy liked this one, but I think it's the weakest in the sense that it doesn't say or imply very much.

It is only three lines, and so it doesn't take up much time, but it's the saying, or trying to say, something significant that is difficult. I don't think I've achieved that with all of them so far. I am enjoying it though, and thanks for the feedback.

[qimissung]

Writing a really good haiku is actually quite hard, as you've pointed out, Paul. I am always disappointed in the ones that I write. Keeping them short, yet pointed, or as you say, significant is so difficult!

I love your project. I thought Aunt Shecky did a amazing job, and I am enjoying yours, too. It's such a wonderful challenge, and keeps a writer on his/her toes!You chose an interesting time of year for this, also. I think I particularly like the 4th and 6th best also. I know you don't think you said much on the 4th one, but the imagery is so vivid!

[Paulclem]

Thanks Qimi. It is fun.

[Paulclem]

10th December 2012

The old guy over
the street has his Christmas lights
up like they used to.

[Paulclem]

11th December 2012

Like silken night, black
cat slips before my cycle.
I hope he's lucky.

[Jassy Melson]

I think trying to write an effective haiku is more difficult than trying to write an effective sonnet or villanelle, or any of the other form poems. One has only three lines to say something meaningful and effective.

[Anton Hermes]

Oh, Hidy the Clown?
Asked a thin girl with long hair
It's one of his best

[hillwalker]

Haven't we moved on from Hidy already, Anton?

There's such a thing as flogging a dead horse, but you're flogging the entire stable.

H

[Anton Hermes]

How long will floggers
Delight in their floggery?
Too long, way too long

[hillwalker]

Just noticed that your 'user title' can be rearranged to read Irate Turtle.
Is there a hidden message here?

H

[Anton Hermes]

Well, yours is an anagram for BITE JADED MOM.

Frankly, I prefer yours.

[hillwalker]

I do as well :D

Thanks

H

[Paulclem]

I think trying to write an effective haiku is more difficult than trying to write an effective sonnet or villanelle, or any of the other form poems. One has only three lines to say something meaningful and effective.

I would disagree. I chose the Haiku form because it doesn't take too long to craft once you've got something in mind. With a sonnet or villanelle, the idea has to be consistently sutained in a satsfactory combination of form and idea.I think I'd struggle to write a form like that every day, though the idea does interest me. I'm not saying I'm entirely satisfied with the Haiku I've done so far - far from it - but to post every day a longer form poem that also worked well would be difficult for me, even if I wasn't working! Aunties efforts earlier in the year were all the more creditable for the range she showed. I find I have to spend a bit of time wandering around and musing to be able to write any poetry at all.

[Paulclem]

!2th December 2012

It's a foggy day.
The spire disappears into
ineffable mist.

[Jassy Melson]

I would disagree. I chose the Haiku form because it doesn't take too long to craft once you've got something in mind. With a sonnet or villanelle, the idea has to be consistently sutained in a satsfactory combination of form and idea.I think I'd struggle to write a form like that every day, though the idea does interest me. I'm not saying I'm entirely satisfied with the Haiku I've done so far - far from it - but to post every day a longer form poem that also worked well would be difficult for me, even if I wasn't working! Aunties efforts earlier in the year were all the more creditable for the range she showed. I find I have to spend a bit of time wandering around and musing to be able to write any poetry at all.

After thinking about what you posted, I disagree with what I posted and now agree with you.

[Paulclem]

After thinking about what you posted, I disagree with what I posted and now agree with you.

Ok mate. It's only my opinion though.

[Paulclem]

13th December 2012

Outside the rough pub
the swaying old men sing whilst
inside the young sneer.

[Paulclem]

14th December 2012

Killing time in the
cafe. Waiting for the hands
to start life again.

[Paulclem]

15th December 2012

At last the bus comes.
I can put away the mind
jealous of all cars.

[Paulclem]

16th December 2012

The shoppers in town
bear busy witness to their
Santa traditions.

[YesNo]

Half way there.

This one reminds me that I still have three Christmas cards to send out and some boxes of candy to purchase preferably before the 25th.

[Paulclem]

It's good to be useful. : )

I've got some to do too.

[Paulclem]

17th December 2012

The green is empty
but my mind populates it
with all my chatter.

[Paulclem]

18th December 2012

I take out rubbish.
There are three bins, but there's none
for my mental crap.

[tailor STATELY]

17th December 2012

The green is empty
but my mind populates it
with all my chatter.

This is my favorite to date.

Not a fan of making an Haiku, or any poem for that matter, a run-on sentence... but I plead guilty of doing so, at times, also.

Congratulations on your endeavor.

Ta ! (short for tarradiddle),
tailor STATELY

[Bar22do]

This is a challenge! Auntie IS a real inspiration...

I enjoy reading your haiku whenever I have some spare time to look at PP pages!

The one I'd choose for now is

These collected things
will be useful when I have
to jog my old thoughts.

but there are more of course. And I'll return to this thread. In the meantime, listen to this, so beautiful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WpPBym_n2Y

My best wishes for the New Year!

[Paulclem]

Thanks very much for your comments Tailor and Bar22do.:D

[Paulclem]

19th December 2012

A small city. Three
hundred thousand people here.
My many neighbours.

[munchou]

15th made me smile :D
I like your haiku, some are very well thought and quite funny !

However when I count the syllables I sometimes don't see how you chose to do it, without considering the fact if we think about morae, it's becoming a nightmare.

[Paulclem]

Thanks Munchou.

I use the 5-7-5 syllable structure. It perhaps doesn't account for accent and pronunciation sometimes. I have to fiddle with the syntax a bit, but hopefully it makes sense.

[Paulclem]

20th December 2012

My mind and body
has changed. The photos prove it.
So, beneath. what lies?

[Paulclem]

21st of December 2012

From the rain wet streets
schoolkids flood onto the bus.
The adults drip off.

[Paulclem]

22nd December 2012

After the haircut,
on checking my self image,
I find I'm years out.

[Bar22do]

I love your last (Dec 22) a lot!!! especially because you achieved here that first and third stanza can be read together and make sense.

[qimissung]

I like the 21st of December, although I was disappointed that you didn't write about surviving the Apocalypse (I kid).

We adults are drips.

[Paulclem]

Thanks Bar22do. I'm writing them day by day, and so I'm not making an effort to link them. Perhaps any themes reflect my mood. I might do that with further ones i write after this month.

[Paulclem]

I like the 21st of December, although I was disappointed that you didn't write about surviving the Apocalypse (I kid).

We adults are drips.

I still could. I'm writing them the day before and posting in the morning, so there's still time for a bit of Mayan inspiration. It's been very wet here though, so it's looking like it might be about the rain again. I like to be cheery.

[Paulclem]

23rd December 2012

Rain drives people in -
homes, cafes - composing songs,
poems, long grumbles.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

You're almost there.
Here's to rain and a possible white Christmas.
As dry as it's been here, would you believe that the first decent chance of precip in the forecast is for Christmas day?!
Supposed to start off as rain and then transition to snow later in the day.
I'll have the Bing waiting in the wing.

[Paulclem]

There's nothing like a white Christmas. I hope it comes along.

[Paulclem]

24th December 2012

Rainy Christmas Eve.
The sparkling festive lights dance
in puddle splashes.

[Paulclem]

25th December 2012

That face of Christmas-
dual personality Scrooge -
is always in us.

[caddy_caddy]

Haiku is amazing. I wrote some pieces in Arabic under its influence years ago . What I know is that it's one image compressed in a few lines. But u're here using a strict number of syllables in every line. I wrote some which are rhymed , too . Could we call them Haiku then ?
Allow me to give u one " translated "
A coffin is closed
an eyelid is closed
a bird has fallen
a bird has flown
time has begun.

[Paulclem]

Hi Caddy. There are various definitions of Haiku. Mine don't qualify for certain definitions due to the subject matter and traditional structure which requires a time/ season indicated, a natural setting and a reflection. I've gone with the 5-7-5 structure, but not the constraints of subject due to my urban setting. On that basis yours doesn't either, but it does not detract from the impact of your piece. I really like it. I doesn't need a poetic classification does it?

[Paulclem]

26th December 2012

Santa, Santa, San-
ta, Santa, Santa, Santa,
Boxing Day, Who? Where?

[caddy_caddy]

Hi Caddy. There are various definitions of Haiku. Mine don't qualify for certain definitions due to the subject matter and traditional structure which requires a time/ season indicated, a natural setting and a reflection. I've gone with the 5-7-5 structure, but not the constraints of subject due to my urban setting. On that basis yours doesn't either, but it does not detract from the impact of your piece. I really like it. I doesn't need a poetic classification does it?

yeh , but in my mind I thought it was Haiku cz I wrote them under its influence by using a form I don't usually use in writing.
It was completely a new experience to me.

[Paulclem]

I see. It does raise the question of how far we can push forms before they no longer are in that type. I've stuck to the syllable count as it gives a structure without dictating the subject matter. If I'd done it the other way round, i don't think I could have called them Haiku. It would be like alterin the number of lines or varying the length of line of sonnets. At some point they cease to be sonnets, whereas you wouldn't need to follow the Shakespearian format which devlops a logic through it to claim it to be a sonnet.

On the other hand, no one would object to you referring to your poem as a haiku, and I can see how the content relates.

[Bar22do]

Bravo Paul, you keep the promise! I like your December 25th a lot. And in general, what a beautiful idea! And your commitment is exemplary! It encourages even me (!!!) to get organised... Looking for more and regretting the end of the month is knocking at the door...

[Paulclem]

27th December

This year shop windows
are quickly cleared of Christmas.
Ready for the sales?

[Paulclem]

Bravo Paul, you keep the promise! I like your December 25th a lot. And in general, what a beautiful idea! And your commitment is exemplary! It encourages even me (!!!) to get organised... Looking for more and regretting the end of the month is knocking at the door...

Thanks Bar22do. I am enjoying it. Committing myself has made sure I try to devote a bit of time to it each day. I practised over November too.

[qimissung]

Oh, I love the one for the 24th, but they are all charming, which also has a touch of nature in it, too, Paul. Is it my imagination, or are they getting better as you go along?

[Paulclem]

Hi Qimi - I don't know if they are. This end of December is a little easier to write with the Christmas focus. Perhaps that's it. Thanks though.

[Paulclem]

28th December 2012

The dream of Christmas -
the snow, the feast, the goodwill -
is alive somewhere.

[Paulclem]

29th December 2012

The seagull snowstorm
wheels and screeches round his head,
as he scatters bread.

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

Nice one, that 29th.
Almost there.

[Paulclem]

Nice one, that 29th.
Almost there.

Thanks Gilliatt.

Thoe are the very same seagulls that gather on the field in bad weather that I was talking about - was it last year? - on the cold ale thread. :lol:

[Gilliatt Gurgle]

...Thoe are the very same seagulls that gather on the field in bad weather that I was talking about - was it last year? - on the cold ale thread. :lol:

Leave it to me, the Cold Ale archivist.
It was presented by Prendrelemick and then featured in last year's Christmas play script, (Thomas O'Malley's part).
See the bolded part below:

Thomas O’Malley-

"I come from a Roma search’n
Fur a fair Kilkenny brawl
Upon this allotment I’m lurch’n,
launch’n fur balls stuck in me craw……GG

…So tell me…

Is that old Brummie weather-lore?
When gulls do croi above the green,
A frost will next be seen.
When they return unto the cowst,
Cast your clout or yow will rowst"……….P

[Paulclem]

Now I remember - how could I forget? Fantastic stuff.

[Paulclem]

30th December 2012

The luxury cakes
by the cafe queue will eat
my screaming wallet.

[qimissung]

I hope you and your wallet ate some. Sounds yummy!

[Paulclem]

No - they are tempting, but I had crisps. (Chips). It was easier to have crisps with all the choc and cake that been around recently.

[Paulclem]

31st December 2012

New Year's Eve has come.
I may remember this night,
but what of the year?

[Calidore]

Congratulations on finishing the project! I still like the one from the 6th the best--a big idea nicely tucked in a small package.

[Paulclem]

Thanks Calidore. I did enjoy making the time for a bit of reflection. I would like to try another challenge - purely because it gives me a motivation to write something each day. I might get a bit better if I do.

Thanks for all your comments and support. :smile5:

[YesNo]

I just read through the full month of haiku. I enjoyed reading them all.

Congratulations and happy new year!

[qimissung]

I just read through them all. So many good ones-all of them are good but some strike you more than others. December is such a cozy time of year, this was a good month for your project. Have you thought of printing up a copy or two to keep?

[Bar22do]

Paulclem, a happy new year to you (and to all, of course!) - I love the wit of dec 30th!
I had an immense pleasure discovering your unfolding haiku month! Loved your initiative and its contents. My warmest renewed congratulations!

[Paulclem]

I just read through the full month of haiku. I enjoyed reading them all.

Congratulations and happy new year!

Thanks YesNo. :smile5:


I just read through them all. So many good ones-all of them are good but some strike you more than others. December is such a cozy time of year, this was a good month for your project. Have you thought of printing up a copy or two to keep?

Yes - doing it day-by-day presents a challenge. I'd decided to only choose from ones I'd written the day before, or that morning, - and in most cases this was how it turned out. I'd be more choosy in what I put up as some days were more productive than others.

I've got them all on my backup hard drive along with the practice ones I'd done through November. I wanted to see if I could maintain it for a month before I tried it. I managed 36 or so in November, so I felt reasonably confident. I had expected more changeable weather - snow, frost and fog, but these all came in November. All we had in December was wind and rain! Thank you for reading them and your positive comments.:smile5:


Paulclem, a happy new year to you (and to all, of course!) - I love the wit of dec 30th!
I had an immense pleasure discovering your unfolding haiku month! Loved your initiative and its contents. My warmest renewed congratulations!

Happy New Year to you too Bar22do, and thank you very much for your comments.

I'm intrigued by your name - Bardo is a Tibetan Buddhist term for the period between lives. Does it mean this for you? I also notice your avatar seems to be a tray of offerings with lamp. Is this so?

I'm thinking of trying a new challenge writing Tanka, which is not unlike Haiku. It is also a Japanese form, but has a 57577 syllable line structure. I'm going to practice again for the next month before I start it though. The reason is puely selfish, as I need to impose a kind of discipline on myself before I fritter away the days.

[qimissung]

Yes, I know whereof you speak. It's about time for me to impose some order on myself, too. Good luck. We'll keep an eye out.