Haiku

Srigurubhyo namaha.

Apparently, a Haiku must have a word (or more) in it to specify the season it was written in! It could be the obvious words like spring,summer etc or it could be something that is a clear reference to the season like snow, golden leaves, etc. There are examples of even more oblique references to seasons with the use of specific moods etc. I never knew that. I have always fancied myself a Haiku poet! I often find myself thinking of my everyday activities and the numerous moods that life brings in the metre of Haiku's. Five, Seven, Five. Five, Seven, Five.

The familiar rhythm. The Haiku is like a lovers heartbeat. Odd yet strangely symmetrical. Unlike the ballads and epic poems which wax lyrical for eons on end, the Haiku is like a stolen kiss. Discreet and quick. It is as if the brevity of a Haiku is inversely proportional to the depth of its message. They manage to set the scene, introduce the characters, and get to the climax (or anticlimax, as the case may be) all within the allocated 17 syllable quota. Like short films or short stories that strangely manage to deliver a better resonance when compared to a novel or feature length film, the Haiku is a potent medium of communicating thought. It is no surprise that there exists a voluminous collection of Zen teachings and observations immortalised and passed on through Haiku's.

Another thing that I recently learnt about the Haiku is that it has to be clearly divided into two parts. Though there must also be a clear connection between the two distinct parts, as if the two parts are entwined in an embrace that lasts an eternity.

Keeping in mind these newly learned concepts that are fundamental to a 'proper' Haiku, a humble attempt by yours truly -

'' Cherry blossoms bloom.

Though the discontent and gloom-

leave for love, no room. ''