A Haiku Anthology
What is a Haiku Poem?
Basic Definition
A haiku is a three-line poem where the first line has five syllables, the second has seven, and the third has five. The style originated in Japan, and while anything can be the subject, most traditional haiku are about nature or natural wonders.
Here’s a haiku:
"If you can’t pronounce
the word haiku, remember
big HIGH, little coo."
The word haiku is a shortened version of the Japanese phrase haikai no ku, which translates as “light verse.”
(source: Vocabulary.com)
Pond Life
1. Turtle lifts its head
To inhale a breath of air
Then dives back under.
2. On the lily pond
Dragonflies skim the water
Bullfrogs call a mate.
3. Sacred lotus bloom
Sitting silent in the pond
Your beauty worshipped.
4. Green frog in a pond
Sitting on a lily pad
Croaking in delight.
5. No ugly duckling
But just a beautiful swan
Gliding gracefully.
6. A pond attracts life
Frogs, turtles, bugs, and flowers
Each one has its place.
Praying For Rain
7. Is climate change real?
Causes much heated debate
Or is that cool maybe?
8. The sun is shining
There's not a cloud in the sky
The drought is too long.
9. Fires out of control
Destroying homes and wildlife
Let's all pray for rain.
10. Rain, rain hear our call
The land is parched and dying
Resurrection time.
11. Look up at the clouds
Floating white in the blue sky
Will they form rain drops?
12. A fresh breeze blows in
Signalling a storm's approach
We should take cover.
13. Waking up to rain
Tap tapping on the window
Makes my day happy.
14. The weather is hot
But it’s raining outside
Humid but welcome.
15. It’s raining again
Thunder and lightning
Storm before the calm.
16. After the rain ends
A rainbow may soon appear
Where’s the connection?
Bodies of Water
17. A small stream trickles
But as it travels it grows
Into a river.
18. The river is wide
Flowing and meandering
Through hills and valleys.
19. The river rages
Destroying all in its path
Flood waters, beware!
20. The sea is so vast
Connecting the continents
Ships sail across it.
21. Mighty waterfall
Nothing is more beautiful
Or more powerful
22. Give praise to the lakes
Water sport recreation
Fishing and boating.
23. A bear sits watching
The rivulet flowing by
Fish for lunch today.
24. Salmon swim upstream
Against the flowing current
Spawn, then die, the quest.
25. Water, all around
We need it for survival
And to keep us clean.
Questions & Answers
© 2020 John Hansen
Comments
AUTHORJason, thank you so much for your kind words. The haiku fever....haha...as long as it's not the Coronavirus.
Sensational haiku poetry John. I really thought you did a superb job. I enjoyed each and every one. Great combination of nature and the elements. I think in catching haiku fever after that "AH...AHHH...HAIKU! Two thumbs up!
- AUTHOR
Hi Li-Jen. Yes, I agree that haiku does seem to suit my poetic style because of its simplicity. It promotes clarity too. Thank you for reading.
Hi Jodah, I knew Haiku will suit the simple style you have used in your poems. Your poems make things simple by focusing on the present and seeing reality as it is. Thanks for sharing.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Devika. Where I live we have had sufficient rain to keep any fires away for the present time. There have still been a few burning elsewhere but not many.
Hi Jodah hope all is well with you and that fires are no longer a threat to you
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Thank you, Nithya. I am happy that you enjoyed these haiku. Hopefully all fires are out soon.
Beautifully expressed haiku. Enjoyed reading each one of them. I hope and pray for the raging fires in Australia to be put out totally.
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Flourish, you wrote haiku long before I did then. I only wrote my first a couple of years back., so I am happy that these turned out ok.
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Thank you so much Cheryl.
I remember writing these in third grade. I loved them then and do now as well. You did a fabulous job.
Beautiful expression of poetry
- AUTHOR
Hey Shauna, thanks for your continued support. It hasn’t rained for a few days now but it is overcast. Another heat wave is predicted for later in the week however which is a worry.
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Thank you, manatita. I tend to be writing about the things most on my mind at the present time. “I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain, I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end....”
Simply beautiful, John. I can tell each of these haiku came from your heart.
Are you still having rain?
Rain and fires .. better if you had the flames turning into rain. Most needed!!
Some exquisite pieces here bro.
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Liz, I guess practice makes perfect. I am getting better I think but will keep practicing. Thank you.
You have got the technique of composing a haiku down to a fine art in these beautiful verbal creations.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Peggy. It seems so much of my writing lately is focus on the fires and the desire for more rain. I appreciate your well wishes.
This is a serious collection of haiku poems. I am so very happy for you and others in Australia that rains have finally come. Of course, the fires are not yet extinguished, so I pray for more rain and the end to the fires.
- AUTHOR
Hi Diana. Thank you very much. Yes, safe here fortunately but many others have suffered. Take care.
- AUTHOR
Thank-oo Clive.
These are beautiful words, as well as the pictures. I hope you are out of reach from the fires. I am praying for all involved.
hi-coo....nice HiCoos John
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MizB, I am the same as you. I only discovered haiku at HubPages and at first it didn’t interest me. I thought I’d give it a go though and actually found it an interesting form to try and convey a scene or feeling in so few words. Thanks for your kind comment.
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Hey Ruby, glad this inspired you to revisit writing haiku. Please do, I’d love to read it.
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Thank you very much Alyssa. Unlike you, I only discovered haiku in the last few years. At first I thought it seemed too simple but I have become increasingly attracted to it. I found there is more to it than first appears.
This was a real treat, John. We didn't study haiku in high school or college, so my introduction to it was on this website. I didn't like it at first because most writers wrote so abstractly. But now I see that some poets can state a point with it.
This was a real treat. I loved your haiku anthology. I used to write haiku poetry. You inspired me to write another one.
I love Haiku poetry. It was always my favorite writing assignment in school. As always, your poetry is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this collection!
- AUTHOR
Hey Eric, glad you like this collection of haiku. Cheers.
- AUTHOR
I am sure you could write haiku just as well if not better Genna. I thank you though, and glad you got the “rainbow connection.”
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How could you tell Linda? Yes, you got it. My muse was in control. Thank you.
I am no evaluator of Haiku but I know what I like and I like this one. thanks.
Hi John...
I wish I could write Haiku so well. It's very challenging, but I love your flow of words...
One of my favs:
"After the rain ends
A rainbow may soon appear
Where’s the connection?"
I sense that your land has been crying for rain, for relief, and your Muse guided your words. Well done.
- AUTHOR
Thank you Ann. i guess I was just in a haiku kind of mood lol.
What a great selection, John!
In like them all but number 23 conjured up a good image!
Haikus are great for playing with words and they do certainly lend themselves to the subject of nature.
Have done a few myself but I have to be in the mood.
Thanks for the entertaining read.
Ann
- AUTHOR
Hey Lorna. It is great that these haiku managed to capture flow of water. Thank you so much for that generous comment.
Great examples of this style John and I particularly enjoyed "Bodies of Water" where you managed to create flow (not easy) in my mind. I like to capture images within poetry and your work achieved this for me. Excellent my friend.
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Yes, Bill, haiku is a good place to start. Thanks for reading and for the compliment
If I were to ever try poetry, I would begin with a haiku. It seems doable, even to me. It seems to flow from you like water in a stream....that's a compliment, by the way. :)
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Hi Devika, I'm so glad you enjoyed these haiku and especially number 13.
- AUTHOR
Thank you for checking these poems out MG. I hope you know a bit more about haiku now.
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Hello Pamela. Once I started writing the haiku I couldn't stop. It almost became addictive the 5-7-5 syllable structure. I appreciate your kind comment.
Hi Jodah my favorite is no.13. Your Haiku is easy to understand and just superb!
Nice poem. Didn't know much about Haiku poetry earlier
You sure wrote an impressive list of Haiku poetry. I enjoyed reading each one. Thanks for sharing such beautiful poetry.
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Hi Tiyasha. Thank you for checking these haiku out. I appreciate your generous comment.
Lovely, simply awesome. Picturesque, perfect symmetry and breaths of fresh air. My personal favourite, the salmon one. Thanks for sharing.
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