I teach British literature to high school seniors. This past Wed. essays were due. Since day one, I warned them about cheating and plagiarism. “I will catch you.” Here is what occurred:
copy word for word for word
plagiarism
I did’t think you’d catch me.
What I learned from these poems: what is usually considered good writing for other types of poems may or may not apply to haiku. Alliteration provides an example. Generally, in poetry alliteration merits a plus. Not in haiku. Regardless, I decided to leave the alliteration in this poem. When I eliminated the alliteration, the effect I wanted disappeared.
red roan horse runs
rain roars
deep depression in mud
Generally, I teach senior English–British literature. However, one short class twice a week contains all freshmen. My assignment: teach them what they need to know to pass the state STAAR for ELA. This poem illustrates what occurred during the class this past week.
teaching freshmen English class
What is a pronoun?
they stare; no one knows.
After receiving positive feedback on the following three poems, I learned that two of them cannot be haiku. Why? They instruct, give directions. Such teaching is forbidden in haiku. Regardless, I decided to post them anyway. At least the Meditations will illustrate what not to do if you want to write real haiku.
Meditations
shut your eyes, be still
listen to the wind, rain, thunder
shut your eyes, be still
open your eyes, be still
watch coyote and bobcat climb
open yours eyes, be still
There are several other reasons why these two poems cannot be haiku–more than one image and a contrasting image in a single poem–forbidden. I knew there must be some reason I had never previously seriously attempted haiku. Too many rules.
This one, however, meets modern haiku standards or so I have been told. I will eventually get this. Learning, challenging oneself, remains a positive experience.
Night
big dipper illuminates
clouds race
darkness suddenly descends
Since I felt out of sync with writing and accomplishing little in that vein, I decided I needed a challenge. In spite of two published books, one instructive, non-fiction and the other a book of poems, I never attempted writing haiku. Even though I probably, due to teaching schedule among other activities like singing and horses, cannot write one haiku a day, I committed to writing seven a week. The first thing I noticed is the difficulty. Haiku poems may be short; however, getting them even close to “right” remains quite difficult, a real challenge. Here are the first three written this week:
milkweed rising to the sun
wait for monarchs
who never ever come
cirrocumulus clouds fly
across an azure sky
snowflakes and cottonballs
OPI Bogota Blackberry
on my freshly scrubbed feet
walks along in wonder
Travel the World 4 Less
A Glimpse into My Life & Passions
Ceto-Magoism, the Whale-guided Way of WE in S/HE
Exploring the F-word in religion at the intersection of scholarship, activism, and community.
ANCESTRAL FOOD. HERBAL WISDOM. MAGICAL COOKERY. SEASONAL CELEBRATION.
inesemjphotography
politics, engineering, parenting, relevant things over coffee.
Food is the best expression of every emotion. Explore through my reviews, recipes, events and more.
Smile! A Site for Friends Wherever You Are!
inspiring personal growth through poetry and writing
Combining atheism with whimsy. This is a Fair and Balanced blog based on opinion unencumbered by fact.
Odds and ends ~ My Life
Original poetry, commentary, and fiction. All copyrights reserved.
bripike@gmail.com
A wildlife filmmaker in Africa
A Geeky Feminist's Musings On Pop Culture
"5 minute walks"
writingontherim 