Mushi
Haiku
Summer is the time when most Haiku poets wrote about insects. Since there are a few more weeks left in the season, I thought I'd share a few haiku with you.
I've been host to a good number of insects (mushi) lately. Their dogged dtermination to survive despite my efforts at their extermination are worthy of appreciation. Strong little critters.
Here are a few terms and definitions:
mushi: insect(s)
tatami: floor mats
gokiburi-san: cockroach, respectful form.
kumo: spider, a homonym with "cloud."
sho-gakusei: elementary school student
ichi-ichi-kyuu: 1-1-9 (911)
ari: ants
haiku: 5-7-5 metered poem
Mushi Haiku
I try not to think
how many can be inside
just one tatami.
Gokiburi-san sits.
Stares at me staring back
"Away, pest," thinks he.
Eight legs brush my cheek
while on the phone in darkness
"Kumo!" clouds my scream.
Sho-gakusei
apply the stinkbug slyly:
another tie ruint.
I wake to scraping
My eyes at its level -- the
loathing intimate.
As the thumb grows numb
bite mark reddening, she hits
ichi-ichi-kyuu.
Wasp lands lightly on
my right eyebrow -- my eye his
entire field of view.
The bee boards the train
humps the glass, hachi-style
exits next eki.
Sugar bowl dancing,
in a pattern of polka dots:
ari polka suite.
fans of Bashou scoffed at my sucky haiku.