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)