esejieng

DEAR KUYU (haiku lover): I don't write for eternity, because I have no pretension to write masterpieces... Readers take haiku or leave them. I accept, for once and for good, laughing as a garden gnome, that a haiku is only a useless knickknack. Nothing more... but nowadays I keep discovering that haiku has become useful for some individuals and their exclusive associations to exploit it for non-haiku purposes, such as selfishness and dominance. Conclusion: Be your own prophet, don't accept arrogant editors and the so-called haiku 'masters.' Just follow your own haiku path instead of trying to emulate an imposed model. Don't mimic the style of others.

I don't know when and why I started writing haiku. Must there be any reason? Maybe because I was in search for an opportunity to combine poetry with a little bit more awareness of myself and the world? Maybe because I am inquisitive? I re-start every day! My first modest haiku was written in May 1968; this attempt enriched my whole life. A few years ago haiku writing became my daily activity, with a lot of study and fun.

Reading and writing, with a close consideration of other Kuyu, teach us that we still need the 'beginner's' mind. To be on the look-out for mistakes, new approaches are wonderful. They develop modesty and ability to put ourselves, our haiku and the haiku rules in perspective. Geert in wonderland? I adore the discipline of daily writing. I try to write in several languages (Dutch, English, French, and, modesty, German), which have their own rules and habits, in an attempt to make an original contribution to the haiku world. The swoop over admit the possibility to ask myself questions. It's a pity that I don't understand Japanese... so that I could be able to read Shiki and other masters.

A haiku is a thimble I try to fill up without spilling! Put briefly, haiku are objective, image-centered and 'one-breath' poems, often brimming with childlike wonder (this quality merely camouflages its deeply rooted aesthetic principles). Lifefulness, not beauty, is the real spirit of haiku. Haiku encompasses every aspect of our daily life, as a creative state of mind behind prohibitive rules and conservatism.

Certain habits have crept into western-languages haiku. A lot of writers who try to adhere to a 5-7-5 form usually pad their haiku with words that add no meaning ('the warm summer sun', or 'cold ice,' for example). Others write in a telegraphic style, not in the normal speech or writing..short is not always grammatically correct...

HAIKU IS A NUTSHELL FULL OF EMOTIONS: a small poem relative to the raindrops, originated in Japan, haiku is the briefest of all poetic forms. Traditionally, haiku is a fixed poem of approximately seventeen 'onji' (sound-units), most often arranged in a 5-7-5 pattern, with an integrated seasonal-word called 'kigo.' Haiku relies on brevity and simplicity to convey its poetical message, conveying a keenly perceived moment of heightened subjective awareness. Writing haiku can help facing the whole world without nostalgic harassments and sentimental burps, unless you are a compulsive grumbler or an old grouser. No cramping of the past, haiku happens here and now. Questions come to the surface while writing, thus you start looking for hints. Good advice never comes amiss. You want advice and operative suggestions? A few moments later you are bearing the inconveniences of compelling rules, severe regulations and all sorts of imposed laws. It seems that you lose the scent because a lot of busybodies have admonished their little fingers and sometimes sing-song voices. They (re)commend all kinds of reliable and authoritative haiku writers, sources of your future knowledge. Master Basho said this, Buson said that! A big claptrap and drivel. Odds and ends, bits and pieces that will nail you down. A straitjacket of all sorts of regulations is waiting to make your head spin. So many points of views with quotes and references are confusing your mind. Heaping up of all kinds of petty facts is aggravating, and maybe driving you bonkers, but don't be afraid of mental deterioration; we are only talking about seventeen syllables. Where is the reciprocal well-being between you and your haiku? You are fed up to the back teeth, counting the corny expressions, the cut and paste idioms, the enjambments. You skip the pages about interpunction, all along the lines. The pattern of the syllables... you don't give a damn. You still hesitate to abandon the rigid rules to find the intangible nature of haiku. Take off! Please, write your own stuff, haiku is not world shattering. Not yet? Funny to write your own haiku. It makes your mind more liquid and flexible. Haiku: a four-star means against acidification! Not written to be weighed down with cramped commentary. Fiddling about verbless haiku is redundant, what you don't tell, reveals. Present by absence... haiku as a magician. Temporary, reviews and criticism give you a nasty shock, but you know - simplicity will once rise to the surface. It's a real expertise. Sometimes in seventeen word chunks, in three lines and one heart. So long as it beats in kindness, so long as you are observant. Do you hear voices?

CHILDLIKE OBSERVING: It's better to prefer amazement and a shade of childlike observing above hair-splitting over exaggerated issues as is the form. Haiku is a Japanese verse form, generally dated back to 700 years ago. In the seventeenth century, haiku flourished due to the competitions of great poets. It developed from tanka and was mainly influenced by Matsuo Bashô, who is known as the first great haiku poet. Haiku topics relate to nature (seasonal word: kigo, expressing locality solely), although 'nature' can be interpreted in a global sense. Do not start each line with a capital letter, unless that line is an independent sentence. Haiku is rarely about individuals, so do not often use personal pronouns, although a derivation of haiku called 'senryu' does it.

DESK HAIKU: Haiku which are written in response, for example on a website, to a photographic image or an illustration, cannot be judged with the same standards as other haiku. The primary guideline should always be that a haiku links to a photo or illustration. Haiku is not always a direct experience of the author; good teamwork can be necessary. A haiku or senryu can be a free interpretation of a photo and a photographer's experience. Ideally, a haiku should be able to do both: to be an extension of a photo and to stand alone (be understood without seeing a photo).

EXPRESSING MUCH & EXPRESSING MORE: As a haiku poet, you must have mastered the art of expressing much and suggesting more in the fewest possible words. Haiku focuses on nature, compressing the maximum of a thought into the minimum of words. Less is beautiful. Haiku are made of mother-of-pearls and snow crystals. Haiku are dewdrops. Haiku, also called hokku, are the result of quiet observations and loving care. Haiku is not just a small poem in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables each. Try to be a writer, not a counter! English syllables are not the same as Japanese onji; they vary in length. A typical haiku can be any length, from a few to 17 syllables, and will carry a reference to nature, although some haiku focus almost entirely on human behavior, settings and sentiments.

Jack Kerouac wrote in his 'Scattered Poems' (1972): "...a Western haiku needs not concern itself with the seventeen syllables, since Western languages cannot adapt themselves to the fluid syllabicJapanese. I propose that Western haiku simply says a lot in three short lines in any Western language. But above all, a haiku must be very simple and free of all poetic trickery and make a little picture, and yet be as airy and graceful as Vivaldi's Pastorella..."

GENDAI: Gendai or 'contemporary' haiku are not always written in frustration or dissatisfaction with traditional haiku, nor in antipathy towards authority and power. Formal rules can be suffocating, but uncomplicated writers at this juncture write more and more 'Gendai,' because they love them as the best form of free and creative 'modern' haiku. Modern haiku is not against classical haiku. My haiku brother, Peter Frengel, wrote me about classical haiku: 'I enjoy formalism. It's a personal preference, not a hardcore philosophical view. There is room for beauty and Zen in formalism, and yes, even spontaneity, as demonstrated in tea ceremony, flower arranging, and other eastern art forms. Inspiration of the idea is not about the words, or about intellectualizing -- it is about the essence of the idea. For me, there is something satisfying in turning that essence into the form (5-7-5), and (ideally!) still capturing that essence. Again, that is what I personally find satisfying, not as something I would insist that others do.'

GINKO: A Ginko is a haiku walk (USA) of several haiku writers, held at the start of a season or at a 'special' time during the season (blossoms [hanami], New Year, Equinox, Solstice, Anniversary) in nature. There is a 'guide' who has knowledge of the chosen place. The haiku writers can discuss, take notes or write haiku (after the walk). Not for individualists!

HAIKU INTERNET FORUMS: The research results of any examination teach that most internet haiku forums, a peripheral phenomenon in the haiku world, are amateurish. That's pretty obvious; everyone has no literary or bookish pretensions. Only a few haiku forums are valuable for inquisitive haiku lovers. Suggestion: before subscribing, just lurk for a while to see how members and moderators communicate: goody-goody, under stress or superficial? Examine the possibilities, supplies and approaches. Try out if the rules, if they exist, have been applied correctly or with capriciousness and arbitrary. An important conclusion is the fact that the knowledge of the history of haiku (senryu, tanka, etc.) is rather limited. Take haiku (poetry) forums with a pinch of salt. Uselessness sets you thinking. Just remember: power-mad moderators and conceited members can be irritable, short-tempered, over-sensitive, thin-skinned, etc. No hard feelings if they start twiddling about ego and paranoia, or scold you as if they work frustrated in a childcare field... Simply unsubscribe and let them yell...

'HEADLINE' HAIKU: This haiku definition refers to the media headlines, for instance: the War in Iraq, Starvation in Africa, The Tsunami in Asia, Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Those uncomplicated haiku show interest in humanitarian phenomena. Their topic can be anything currently in the news: world events, politics, sporting occasions and environmental issues. Thinking that occasional haiku do not exhibit many literary qualities, because they are concerned with the direct action and comments, is exaggerating. The former does not exclude the latter. Temporary character of a 'headline haiku' is not a stand in the way of quality and personal power of expression. Sure, they are emotional and perhaps not masterpieces, but only a conservative moper cares about that. Freedom of speech!!!

KIGO (seasonal keywords) & MUKI (non-seasonal words): Seasonal words express only a locality and the unique climate of a particular area. They are only an aspect of our global environment. The seasons in Japan cannot be set as a standard for Europe, America or Africa, and vice versa. Only our feelings are universal. The ‘inner' seasons are more important. Avoid tomfoolery with snow, rain and sunshine. Cliché-ridden haiku are a sham! Everyone is free to use them (or not) in his haiku. 'Keywords' should be used to refer to both: kigo (season words) & muki (non-season words) to express the freedom of choice.

PUNCTUATION: Forget about any suggestion about the use of punctuation and sentence capitalizations in my haiku or tanka. They are out of question. I take my own decisions... No need for a seeing-eye dog. And I refuse to be part of a pack with standard measures. I like to stay myself because uniformity is boring.

There is no punctuation in haiku by Japanese masters... so why should we use it? A tanka or a haiku is not a fruit salad or digested food. Do we try to write observations with an associative mind and maybe provocative points of view, or do we believe in servile imitation? Haiku are not bite-size chunks for the readers. No senseless 'no! yes! games.' Our readers are clever enough to make their own associations. Freedom of interpretation is better than a straitjacket of all sorts of regulations. Freewheeling is splendid. Haiku or tanka are not a novel, not a short story, but a layered observation. A haikuist is NOT a story-teller for schoolboys. Be convinced that most of the readers are adults; they need no persuasion. Punctuation can destroy all double bottoms and hidden meanings. Punctuation is modifying. Haiku needs absolute freedom, not patronizing of punctuation and sentence capitalizations. A haiku poet is not a child care worker. Contrary to others, I don't like visual appearance of punctuation in haiku and tanka. They rather annoy me. Punctuation as part of a poet's toolbox is a personal choice. Not the truth or a compelling argument. Idem dito for my opinion(s).

85% translators have opted for punctuation? Wow, this is a real information for the Central Statistical Office. I don't care for this absurd statistics. I am a poet, not to be recorded. Fully punctuating of haiku is far from my concerns... I try to write in my own style, with my own emotions and limited intellect. Research of punctuation can be of service to accountants and the Guinness Book of Records. But let me have my freedom, bearing in mind that I don't walk on thin ice; I hope to have a well-founded idea about this matter. Of course, to fight a duel is NOT my aim. I am a lover, not a fighter...

READING HAIKU: To read a haiku means to experience impressions, atmosphere or feelings which actually occurred, and are known as haiku moment. Haiku don't need a lot of explanations or intellectual drivels; one can only enjoy them...without street litter in one's thinking. Write and shut up? No, just try to have a playful vision on the (non-)existent haiku rules. The safest way to write a bad haiku is to ignore the basic principles of haiku?

Matsuo Bashô (1644-1694) wrote: '...Learn the rules; and then forget them...'

Hear pale armchair scholars and academic doughnuts:

Don't break a line in the middle of a word to serve the form;

Don't forget that the easiest haiku to write is a bad haiku;

Don't put egotism in haiku, avoid repeated I, me & my;

Don't confuse the reader with affected contaminations;

Don't prevent freedom of speech and free speech;

Don't compile artificial lists of kigo (season words);

Don't confuse the reader with intellectual words;

Don't think that experimental poems are haiku;

Don't confuse the reader with too many words;

Don't use capitals, haiku is not a sentence;

Don't forget to use season words (kigo);

Don't be a slave to syllables, use 17 or less;

Don't propagate religion, morals or ethics;

Don't try to be 'smart' in haiku or senryu;

Don't use the past or future tense;

Don't philosophize in a haiku;

Don't use repeated sounds;

Don't use punctuation;

Don't use metaphors;

Don't compare things;

Don't use end rhyme;

Don't try to impress;

Blah-blah...

SUBMISSIONS: OK, there is a lot of arrogance in the worldwide haiku community, and while most editors and poets are wonderful, a few 'arrogant fellows' can make it very unpleasant for everyone. Try to understand that not all editors and poets are well-mannered or very patient. So don't send to the editorial staff of haiku magazines non-requested haiku, cartoons or group e-mails, if you want to avoid rude reactions and a lot of hassle. Besides, unkindness between editors and poets is not part of the way of haiku. But understand that some of them are sick and tired of the lazy non-art that people put out under the name of haiku. Perhaps because their ability to put things in perspective is burnt-out? The stress factor of our time...

TO BECOME FAMOUS: To become famous or to be a haiku master is not my intended purpose. I am a modest haiku poet, not a sneaky wrestler. I believe in inner peace and integrity of our mind. I prefer to be a haiku poet without seeking chairmanship, medals of honor or golden cups. There are a lot of movements, schools and trends in the haiku world, with their own rules, customs, usages, practices, traditions and institutions. There are different clubs and associations, sometimes with conflicting interests. They are all recommended or heavily criticized…Who am I to judge? How can I judge? Each case must be assessed on its own merit… Do I have correct data and facts? Can I see the truth through dissenting opinions? Love and hate are like yin and yang. I don't believe in persistent rumors nor in charges and accusations. If I cannot obtain correct answers, then I have to try to understand questions. But I cannot read into the hearts of critics living in different countries. And I refuse to show partiality. I refuse to accept forced convictions… so I prefer to write, read an study haiku far from gossip factories or scoffing and abuse.

ABOUT BEAUTY: At least alight your Porsche to write a haiku about polatouches and black salamanders. You don't need an Armani-suit to write about sacred trees, mill-owners and hot birds. Scratching your back nor picking your nose won't help you write haiku. Just see the flickering sunset. Look admiringly at the treetops, see the magic of roses and the branching leaves. Be a storyteller and penetrate into the extreme depths of what is hidden in the whole world. The way is open... because modern 'Western' haiku is a flexible form for brief, vivid capturing of single moments of time. The so called 'aha moments.' I love them and I open myself to the daily world around me and to the inputs of my five (and more) senses, but I don't adhere strictly to the rules. I simply perceive the essence of the moment I then record using the best words and phrases I can think of. I limit the number of words. Three lines do it for me. Of course, my modest haiku are not just nature poems. There are many other things, such as: cups of tea, sweet-smelling essence, famous jazzmen, books, single-malt whisky, and love songs. There are always you and me, the whole world.

RHYMED HAIKU: Is it taken for granted that haiku disregards such contrivances as are alliteration, assonance or rhyme, unless these occur naturally? It uses the natural flow of voice patterns. In haiku nothing is 'like' or 'as' something else. Haiku is only itself. But, you can use all available poetic techniques. It is not forbidden these days. Try to stay aware of the possibilities of a language-as-a-sound by employing end rhyme, slant rhyme, internal rhyme, alliterations, assonance, consonance, rhythm, etc. Haiku can be written with and without rhyme. No need to dilute the pure poetry and emotional directness of our dear haiku. Who prescribes rules? Who tells what is good or wrong? Be just a modest votary of haiku. Ali in wonderland? Provoking? You? You wouldn't dare...

Admit that you don't care what the taste of today poetry is, because you don't follow leaders nor styles. You prefer to be a steppenwolf and you have no membership card of any wheeler-dealer club. Free verses or stanzaic forms are important approaches? Thoughts enough! Form is after all a privately chosen matter. Writing haiku, not as a kind of self-therapy, is an incredibly powerful process. Alas, haiku is generally considered a 'cute' and 'sentimental' nature poem written in the pattern of five-seven-five syllables. Haiku written in Dutch, French, German or English are 'longer' than their Japanese counterparts.

MONO NI IRU (enter into the thing): Phew, you'd better view haiku as a 'one-breath poem' with a 'here and now' feeling. Try to write your own poems, short and true to the spirit of haiku, whatever it may mean. Written in three lines, using concrete and sensory images to capture a moment of insight, a scene or experience. In a few words, haiku must suggest the depth and intensity of a unique moment leading the reader to a deeper awareness of the (inner) world. Meanwhile you are rolling in wealth, madly in love with haiku... free to imitate famous Japanese masters or to apply modern style because there are haiku of outstanding value in both styles. Mono ni iru: enter into the thing!

ZEN: 'Zen' is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese Ch'an. Virtually, Zen is no theology, it is almost entirely philosophy. It must be experienced. The Koan is unique to Zen; perhaps the best known is 'What is the sound of one hand clapping?' In the zen-spirit: Write haiku in the most straightforward simple way as if you were a beginner! Don't try to make your haiku skillful, intellectual, smart or beautiful. Just write them with full attention. Discover the innocence of your first inquiry with an empty mind, freed from the habits of the so-called experts. See things as they are, in one flash. Face moment after moment. Forget all about rules and teachings...

Reprinted from http://users.skynet.be/geert.verbeke.bowls with permission of the author.