Why Haiku is versatile verse

In a world of noise and miscommunication, haiku draws poets and busy readers with a quick-sketch of memorable moments. Like senryu, the traditional version of this syllabic verse form contains seventeen syllables in three lines of 5/7/5 syllables, respectively.

Spring comes silently –
slow as a caterpillar,
quiet as an owl.

That said, poets presently writing in haiku or senryu often shorten the form, crafting mini-poems or micro-poetry to fit into the limited space provided on some social media sites.

When I’m gone
will you walk alone
in the rain?

Regardless of length, haiku traditionally draws attention to an unexpected, refreshing, or other remarkable moment in nature during a particular season, while senryu turns attention to some aspect of human nature. Either of these syllabic verse forms can also inspire and enlighten, making readers aware of something they might not otherwise notice.

How do I love thee?
Let me count Your ways of love
in waves of longing.

Occasionally, haiku leans toward humor, whereas senryu is apt to be philosophical, introspective, ironic, or even argumentative. But let’s not quibble for those distinctions do not always draw a definitive line.

Please do not hold my
haiku against me. Use my
villanelle instead.

If you want to try your poetic hand at writing syllabic verse, remember: An important factor in writing these and other types of poetry is to observe, experiment, and have fun! Play with words. Reconsider ideas.

Clocks do not tell time:
Their hands move in sign language,
sharing opinions.

In our Christian Poets & Writers group on Facebook, we often adopt the Haiku form in a focus on God. Here’s an example of what we call Highku.

Thunder and the still
small Voice! Who but God could be
both in all seasons?

Research and set a goal of learning more about the things you do not like and the things you do. For my book of syllabic verse, my goal has been to provide a variety of short poems with subjects you’ll most likely relate to and maybe even want to explore in your own experiences of Haiku Happening. If so, and if you enjoy the book enough to read it again and/or recommend it to a friend, I hope you’ll leave a starry review. Thanks and blessings!

Poems and post from Haiku Happening by Mary Harwell Sayler

Honoring God in mini-Verse

Our Father God fills the whole uni-Verse! So,  as we read God’s Word in the Bible, little glimpses of God’s actions and character frequently comes to us in mini-verse or poetic thought.

 Consider, for example, the biblical thoughts in this batch of mini-verse:

God’s Word spoke the world.
He said, “Let!” and it happened –
nothing left to chance.

…

Abba, Father, God
speak Your Word to our spirit.
“Let” Your mind fill ours.

…

Light comes in beauty –
sunrise, sunset, and the glow
of Christ within us.

Often, too, Bible verses lend themselves to haiku, senryu, or other forms of mini-verse. Consider, for example, these Bible-based poems:

Psalm 4:8

In peace I will lie
down and sleep for God alone
lets me safely rest.

Psalm 5:3

In the morning, Lord,
I will present my prayer.
Then I’ll be watching.

Psalm 93

God wears majesty
like a garment and strength like
a steel shield – stainless.

Psalm 96:12

Let the fields and all
that’s in them celebrate! Let
the trees sing for joy.

Psalm 103:1

Bless the Lord, my soul,
and all that is within me
bless His Holy Name.

Isaiah 40:26

Lift up high your eyes.
See Who created the stars!
God calls each by name.

Isaiah 40:8

Grass withers. Flowers
fade, but the Word of our God
remains forever.

John 1:14

God’s Word became One
Who dwelt among us – Jesus –
filled with grace and truth.

John 1:20

Behold God’s Son Who
takes away sin in the world.
Pray we all let Him!

Matthew 7:7

Ask with your lips. Seek
with your eyes. Knock, then listen.
Our senses find God!

©2023, poems, painting, & post by Mary Harwell Sayler

Haiku Happening

Everywhere I go,

something awakens me to

haiku happening.

[Note: The following post comes from the introduction to the new book of poetry, Haiku Happening.]

In a world of noise and miscommunication, haiku draws poets and busy readers with a quick-sketch of memorable moments. Like senryu, the traditional version of this syllabic verse form contains seventeen syllables in three lines of 5/7/5 syllables, respectively.

That said, poets presently writing in haiku or senryu often shorten the form, crafting mini-poems or micropoetry to fit into the limited space provided on some social media sites.

Regardless of length, haiku traditionally draws attention to an unexpected, refreshing, or other remarkable moment in nature during a particular season, while senryu turns attention to some aspect of human nature. Either of these syllabic verse forms can also inspire and enlighten, making readers aware of something they might not otherwise notice.

Occasionally, haiku leans toward humor, whereas senryu is apt to be philosophical, introspective, ironic, or even argumentative. But let’s not quibble for those distinctions do not always draw a definitive line.

If you want to try your poetic hand at writing syllabic verse, remember: An important factor in writing these and other types of poetry is to observe, experiment, and have fun! Play with words. Reconsider ideas. Research and set a goal of learning more about the things you do not like and the things you do.

For my new book, the goal has been to provide a variety of short poems with subjects you’ll likely relate to and maybe even want to explore in your own experiences of Haiku Happening. If so, and if you enjoy the book enough to read it again and/or recommend it to a friend, I hope you’ll leave a starry review.

Thanks and blessings.

Mary Harwell Sayler

(c)2023