Breathe In: English Haiku

By C.A. Morningstarr

"Haiku" is a term, at times, [loosely] applied to any short, impressionistic poem, however there are certain characteristics commonly associated with the genre, such as having a strong focus on nature or the four seasons. While Japanese haiku are written in verses arranged in three lines using the 5-7-5 syllable rule, English haiku is still hoping to be defined as poetry that focuses on the subtlety of the effect, cultivated by the poet, while adhering to the accepted themes, such as the crush of autumn leaves underfoot, the stillness of falling snow, the soothing effect of a rivers' flow, the mountains solitary magnificence, the phases of the moon, the changing of seasons. Here the poet paints with a dry brush, hoping the reader might visualize the colors, moments, and moods for themselves. The gift to the reader would be one of either intensifying or exhausting the experience, without explaining or giving it away, thus allowing the reader their own interpretation. This may be in part due to the fact that Japanese and English expressions are not, in essence, always comparable. As a result, it is rare to find a poem as long as seventeen syllables in today's English-language haiku. As for me it is not my intent to dishonor the poetry that is Japanese haiku, nor my contemporaries' artistic styles, but instead create something I may call my own on this journey creating these haikus.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667893471

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Breathe In Copyright © 2022 by C.A. Morningstarr

1st edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied and critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests contact the author at [e-mail]

Printed in the USA

Print ISBN: 978-1-66786-755-7

eBook ISBN: 978-1-66786-756-4

Also by C.A. Morningstarr

Breathe Out

Repeat After Me

For Thomas, Emily, Paul, & Jordan

preface

For those of you unfamiliar with the style of poetry known as Haiku I offer you the formal definition, out of respect to my predecessors, and to you, the reader.

Haiku is a term, at times, [loosely] applied to any short, impressionistic poem, however there are certain characteristics that are commonly associated with the genre, such as having a strong focus on nature or the four seasons. The haiku often has a contemplative or wistful tone, and/or a vague briefness to the setting, that might inspire the poet. There should be little or no unnecessary words or fluff, one might say, although the poet is advised to avoid the use of metaphor and similes. Instead, the haiku should place the emphasis on