Haiku - Charles Henderson's Blog

About Charles Henderson

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Never would I have thought I would start writing at 73 years of age. I have thoroughly enjoyed my voyage into the written spirituality of poetry and am thankful for the opportunity. In my seven years here I have met many new and wonderful persons. Having them accept me as a friend has been a moving experience.

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Haiku

Blog Posted:12/21/2015 9:08:00 PM

Folks you know how I beat a dead horse. So, here we go agoin. In regards: haiku- - - the central core I would say (in agreement with prominant Haiku author, Higginson), is the season word. Even in American culture the heart of the poem is still wrapped in the season. Regardless of all else you take out because of the way the preponderence of haiku writers, write, in order to be haiku it MUST contain seasonal reference. Otherwise, at best it is a senryu. Now, I know that looking at the past two years worth of haiku, which I have written; if you find a season word it probably is there by accident. Oh, I know you say "but I am writing modern haiku". No kidding. I do not care what kind of haiku you write, if it does not contain a season reference, word, connotation, or device, then you are wasting as much time on the soup as I have. It simply is not haiku. Oh, I have enjoyed writing all of that Senryu claiming it to be haiku. And to tell the truth I don't know when or where I went wrong, got lost, or declined in regimen or attitude. I'm making no excuses. But, for me and my pen, hopefully, (there I said it) hopefully, I will start including a seasonal reference and to make it official I will add a short blurb at the bottom of the poem stating the season word and the season it connotates. If I forget or transgress, please write and ask me to change my form to "senryu" instead of haiku. But then if my form is serious instead of flippant, it will not fit a senryu. Oh, well, we just have to learn to do it right.

first morning sun

brightly on my pillow ...

old bones ache

First morning is seasonal reference for "New Years". (according to Higginson)

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Susan
Gentry

Date: 12/22/2015 10:03:00 PM

I'm guilty of calling 5-7-5 haiku, especially if nature is in it, present day things are in, etc. I've changed all my "Haiku" to "I Don't Know" unless it has been published as "Haiku" in print. Anything published as 3 line I've changed to "free verse". l never meant to offend or pretend to be writing just anything and calling it haiku. I'll abide by whatever is decided as "haiku" on this site. I appreciate all who have read and encouraged, corrected, suggested. Meant a lot to me.

Susan Gentry
Date: 1/12/2016 1:14:00 AM

Thank you. I have sent you a few. I do know that the syllable count does not make a poem haiku... as the rest of my sentence explained. I just saw your reply here so sorry so late responding.

Charles Henderson
Date: 12/22/2015 10:41:00 PM

Susan, 5 7 5 is a form of haiku, But that is not why the poem is Haiku. Leave your poetry as it is and revisit from time to time. Eventually all will work out. You will learn change and incorporate into your poetry as you revisit it. After all it is yours. My email is cghenderso@msn.com and I would be delighted to have your haiku sent to me for critque. send two or three at a time and let's discuss.

Charles
Henderson

Date: 12/22/2015 11:33:00 AM

I feel the preponderenc of haiku offerings are not modern haiku, or even haiku. One can never get away from juxtaposition and a seasonal reference and call the poem other than a senryu, if it happens to be flppant enough. if not it may be even bad senryu, and can only be called three line poetry. I have no problems with three line poetry. Just do not like to see it labled as something it is not. Anyone may find the norms of haiku on any of a number of good sites.

Charmaine
Chircop

Date: 12/22/2015 8:46:00 AM

Lovely haiku Charles.Merry Christmas !!!

Charles Henderson
Date: 12/22/2015 8:58:00 AM

Back at you my friend and many more.

Cyndi
Macmillan

Date: 12/22/2015 6:39:00 AM

Merry Christmas, Charles. I don't think there is more than two people on Soup who wish to write traditional haiku. Most folks here, on Soup, enjoy contemporary haiku--both writing it and reading it. However, it is good that the traditional form has its defendants and teachers. :) Nice to see you. Cyndi

Charles Henderson
Date: 12/22/2015 8:36:00 AM

Cyndi, so good to see you. Have missed your instructive voice and encouragement.

Charles
Henderson

Date: 12/21/2015 11:19:00 PM

Oh, and when I said "we" I was thinking of me. I can only speak for myself.

Charles Henderson
Date: 12/21/2015 11:31:00 PM

There are also plenty of one and two line haiku but they don't move me as well as the three line. I don't care where the cut is as long as it can give me that surprise.

Skat A
Date: 12/21/2015 11:19:00 PM

Andrea corrected my thinking early today. By calling them 3 lines :)

Skat
A

Date: 12/21/2015 9:17:00 PM

We are having fun, That is all Charles. nice to see you here. Merry Christmas ;)

Skat A
Date: 12/21/2015 11:18:00 PM

Thank you, Charles.

Charles Henderson
Date: 12/21/2015 11:14:00 PM

Merry Christmas to you too. I referred to the right way here when there really is no right way, only the average of the way all of us write as a group. The more who write similarly the more concrete the form is for that short while.So no, I do not believe in a single right way or wrong way as long as most of the people who write haiku like it and are willing to call it haiku.

Charles Henderson
Date: 12/21/2015 10:58:00 PM

Am all for the fun part, but is nothing wrong with learning the right way while having fun. Right!! Besides you have all that natural talent, which a lot of us do not have. Thanks fo the comment. Haiku--my passion.

Skat A
Date: 12/21/2015 9:18:00 PM

Love the haiku you have on your blog

Eve
Roper

Date: 12/21/2015 9:15:00 PM

Very good! I know the feeling :)

Charles Henderson
Date: 12/22/2015 9:01:00 AM

Thank you Eve. The Ropers are in my family tree. Good to meet you. Off top of head I want to say from Charles Roper.

My Past Blog Posts


My 129 mile walk down the Appalachian Trail Date Posted: 12/13/2018 1:56:00 PM
How to make copyright and other symbols on the computer. Date Posted: 2/20/2017 1:31:00 AM
Why Read Poetry Soup Poems Date Posted: 12/6/2016 10:22:00 PM
True Beauty Date Posted: 1/19/2016 6:48:00 PM
Objective and Subjective Haiku Date Posted: 1/13/2016 3:15:00 PM
new kiddie trick Date Posted: 1/8/2016 4:53:00 AM
A Neat Card Trick Date Posted: 12/22/2015 8:33:00 PM
Charles' Answer to the Riddle blog Date Posted: 12/22/2015 4:18:00 PM
A Riddle Date Posted: 12/22/2015 9:51:00 AM
Haiku Date Posted: 12/21/2015 9:08:00 PM
Expanding Deb's Blog Date Posted: 5/19/2014 11:44:00 PM
Possum Branch Road Date Posted: 3/31/2014 11:22:00 PM
Calling All, Want To Be, Haiku Writers Date Posted: 2/20/2014 3:46:00 PM
My Bear Story Retold Date Posted: 2/5/2014 2:35:00 PM
Poetry Soup Imbeded Ads Date Posted: 11/4/2013 7:31:00 PM
The Elusive Monoku Date Posted: 7/27/2013 11:20:00 PM
Computer Games Date Posted: 7/12/2013 9:08:00 AM
Contest Winners and Bear String Date Posted: 5/3/2013 11:47:00 PM
My Contest Date Posted: 5/2/2013 2:01:00 PM
The Bear III Date Posted: 4/1/2013 5:23:00 PM
Another Bear Story Date Posted: 3/31/2013 10:23:00 PM
The no contest Contest Date Posted: 3/30/2013 2:51:00 AM
Hanging Ten Date Posted: 3/22/2013 10:59:00 AM
Feedback Wanted Date Posted: 1/27/2013 1:06:00 PM
Wise Guys Date Posted: 1/22/2013 9:28:00 AM

My Recent Poems

Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
5/13/2020	Without Your Love	Rhyme	romantic,
4/14/2020	The Doldrums	Free verse	introspection,sound,uplif
4/14/2020	The Doldrums	Free verse	introspection,sound,uplif
4/14/2020	The Doldrums	Free verse	introspection,sound,uplif
2/25/2020	Observations	Rhyme	analogy,people,perspectiv
2/18/2020	Bora, Bora	Rhyme	12th grade,allusion,fun,p
2/13/2020	The Battle of Kings Mountain, Nc	Rhyme	america,patriotic,war,
2/12/2020	My Cat Number 2	Free verse	cat,friendship,pets,
10/7/2019	Stank Breath and Funky Shoes Blues	Rengay	funny,
4/25/2019	Noises	Haiku	dedication,emotions,
4/23/2019	The Cause	Rhyme	12th grade,encouraging,en
3/31/2019	The 1940's and 50's Movie, Radio and More	Prose	truth,world war ii,
3/31/2019	Fighting Chilblains	Rhyme	12th grade,allegory,analo
3/31/2019	Loyalty	Rhyme	allegory,analogy,characte
2/4/2019	My Coat of Many Colors	Rhyme	appreciation,love,
1/9/2019	Ad Hoc	Rhyme	inspirational,
1/4/2019	Reclamation of Number 21	Narrative	inspirational,
12/28/2018	Time	Free verse	allegory,analogy,
12/12/2018	The Core	Free verse	love,
10/23/2018	A Blue Moon Shining Light In Heaven My New Babe Our Cat Now With Her Kits	Tanka	appreciation,
10/1/2018	Love of the Subconscious Mind	Rhyme	lost love,love,
12/10/2017	New York	Haiku	analogy,
11/8/2017	Rising	Haiku	symbolism,
10/29/2017	Well, Here I Am, I Think	Free verse	allegory,
10/11/2017	Young of Mind and Heart	Rhyme	allegory,analogy,
8/27/2017	Yesterday's Pollen	Haiku	nature,
7/7/2017	A Vow	Rhyme	love,
6/17/2017	My Day	Haiku	anxiety,
6/15/2017	A Secret	Haiku	allegory,betrayal,conflic
6/15/2017	Deception	Haiku	betrayal,
6/9/2017	The Deep	Prose	adventure,inspiration,mys
6/4/2017	Metamorphosis	Haiku	beauty,nature,
5/9/2017	Wild Dreams	Tanka	dream,
3/6/2017	Massacre of Glencoe	Narrative	bereavement,
2/26/2017	The Culmination	Free verse	muse,
2/25/2017	Legacy	Tanka	allegory,
2/21/2017	Tribute To My Wife	Dramatic Monologue	devotion,love,
2/10/2017	In My Mind	Rhyme	allegory,character,emotio
2/4/2017	Snails	Haiku	nature,
2/2/2017	A Sunday Drive	Prose	life,
2/2/2017	Reheating	Haiku	life,
2/1/2017	Moments	Haiku	life,
1/23/2017	About Snails	Haiku	nature,
1/23/2017	All I Need- - -Is a Little Sunshine	Free verse	change,character,confiden
1/15/2017	Faith	Haiku	inspirational,
1/11/2017	The Angel's Tribute	Rhyme	tribute,
1/9/2017	Tall Pines	Haiku	nature,
1/9/2017	Lady Bugs	Haiku	nature,
1/8/2017	Deluge	Haiku	nature,
12/24/2016	Reflection	Rhyme	allegory,
12/8/2016	The Campout	Free verse	imagination,
12/7/2016	The Final Chapter	Tanka	angst,
12/4/2016	Aurora Borealis	Free verse	beauty,dedication,univers
11/22/2016	Futility	Free verse	allegory,
11/12/2016	Loneliness	Haiku	anxiety,
11/6/2016	The Keys To the Kingdom	Rhyme	faith,
10/30/2016	Aloneness	Haiku	appreciation,
10/30/2016	Mt Fuji	Haiku	philosophy,
9/7/2016	To My New Grands and Great Grands, Et Al	Free verse	love,
9/3/2016	The Blurb	Prose	angst,
9/2/2016	Izzy Baby	Prose	best friend,dedication,
8/28/2016	Zodiak	Rhyme	allegory,
8/28/2016	Mood Indigo Ii	Free verse	feelings,muse,sensual,
8/24/2016	The Celts	Free verse	love,
8/23/2016	Blank Eyes	Haiku	people,
8/23/2016	Standing Tall	Haiku	simile,
8/23/2016	Bent Limbs	Haiku	body,nature,sorrow,
8/8/2016	Keeping Time	Haiku	nature,
8/8/2016	A New Dawn	Haiku	nature,
8/8/2016	Education	Haiku	emotions,
8/8/2016	Equalizing	Haiku	appreciation,
8/8/2016	Freedom Is	Haiku	nature,
8/8/2016	Majestic	Haiku	beauty,
8/8/2016	The Girls From Worchester	Rhyme	environment,humor,
8/8/2016	Evening Mist	Haiku	nature,
8/8/2016	Quiet	Haiku	nature,
8/6/2016	Day Passes	Haiku	people,
8/5/2016	Morning Dew	Tanka	senses,
8/5/2016	Whispers	Haiku	child,
7/21/2016	Spring Rains	Tanka	life,
6/16/2016	Possum Branch Road	Narrative	humorous,
5/21/2016	Her Reply	Haiku	judgement,stress,
4/26/2016	Temptress	Free verse	allegory,
3/30/2016	The Old Man	Haiku	life,
3/30/2016	Aspiration	Haiku	life,
3/29/2016	Strong Grip	Haiku	nature,
3/24/2016	Tiny Fingers	Tanka	family,father,father son,
3/24/2016	My Child	Tanka	memory,
3/21/2016	On My Broom	Haiku	life,spring,
3/17/2016	In the Bath	Haiku	nature,
3/11/2016	A Mother's Breast	Haiku	mother,
2/19/2016	Into the New Wave	Free verse	love,
2/10/2016	Wild Grapes	Haiku	nature,
1/31/2016	Karma	Prose	life,
1/31/2016	A Day In the Life of An Old Man	Free verse	lonely,old,people,
1/27/2016	The Crossing	Free verse	destiny,old,
1/26/2016	The Grave	Tanka	death,
1/24/2016	The Shag	Rhyme	art,beach,birth,dance,mus
1/23/2016	Life's Changes	Senryu	life,
1/21/2016	The First Time	Haiku	beauty,

My Photos

ps_104.jpg

Fav Poems

PoemTitle	Form	Categories
Hard Times	Cowboy Poetry	cowboy-western,family,fun
Petal	Verse	love,
Violin	Personification	death,love,rose,
The Sowing	Free verse	devotion,
Disposable Wisdom	Rhyme	age,cat,endurance,life,wi
Footprints	Free verse	introspection,life,
Alabaster Night	Free verse	nature,planet,sea,
Forgotten Heroes of the Somme	Rhyme	brother,death,history,lif
Mona Lisa	Free verse	artme,
Love Beyond the Pale	Quatrain	abuse,devotion,lost love,
Humanity	Couplet	life,peoplechild,lost,chi
Hunting Sevens	Rhyme	funny
Frosted Panes - Re-Post	Quatrain	girl,life,me,sea,time,win
When Madness Rides On Moonlight	Sestina	god,life,
-unlatched-	Rhyme	childhood,family,mother,s
Missing Mother	Verse	depression,devotion,me,mi
Her Silent Seams	Free verse	words,
Wet But Wiser	Quatrain	adventure,funny,pets,
Love Passing By	Rhyme	love,love,pride,
- My Dreams -	Verse	dream,faith,hope,love,
A Police Man's Grave	Epitaph	death,funny,
Long Goodbyes	Sonnet	faith,happiness,holiday,n
Hear Oh L-Rd	Kyrielle	faith,family,happiness,un
Haiku 20	Haiku	introspection,nature,
Light a Candle	Verse	faith,history,
Spring Showers	Free verse	nature,rain,rain,

Fav Poets

Poet	Country
Debbie Guzzi	United States	Read
Dakarai Cobb	United States	Read
Cyndi Macmillan	Canada	Read
Tracy Edwards	Australia	Read
Skat A	United States	Read
Leroy Max	United States	Read
Carolyn Devonshire	United States	Read
Charles Henderson	United States	Read
Carol Sunshine Brown	United States	Read
Kathryn Collins	United States	Read
Leon Enriquez	Singapore	Read
Susan Gentry	United States	Read
Constance La France	Canada	Read
Amy Green	United States	Read
Mick Talbot	United Kingdom	Read
Thvia Shetley	United States	Read
Robert Lindley	United States	Read
Trey Hamner	United States	Read
Terry Henderson	United States	Read
Terry Henderson	United States	Read