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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 by Charles Henderson: 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

December 22, 2015 at 10:03 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

January 12, 2016 at 1:14 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

December 22, 2015 at 10:41 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 [email protected] 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

December 22, 2015 at 11:33 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

December 22, 2015 at 8:46 AM

Lovely haiku Charles.Merry Christmas !!!

Charles Henderson

December 22, 2015 at 8:58 AM

Back at you my friend and many more.

Cyndi Macmillan

December 22, 2015 at 6:39 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

December 22, 2015 at 8:36 AM

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

Charles Henderson

December 21, 2015 at 11:19 PM

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

Charles Henderson

December 21, 2015 at 11:31 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

December 21, 2015 at 11:19 PM

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

Skat A

December 21, 2015 at 9:17 PM

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

Skat A

December 21, 2015 at 11:18 PM

Thank you, Charles.

Charles Henderson

December 21, 2015 at 11:14 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

December 21, 2015 at 10:58 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

December 21, 2015 at 9:18 PM

Love the haiku you have on your blog

Eve Roper

December 21, 2015 at 9:15 PM

Very good! I know the feeling :)

Charles Henderson

December 22, 2015 at 9:01 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.

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