No matter what is going on in the world, it is STILL National Poetry Month, starting right now, and I don’t know about you, but I need poetry like I need oxygen at this point.
For one thing, it means that March — that godforsaken, endless, Groundhog Day-of-a-month is finally over. But also, poetry. Poetry! Validation, empathy, connection and the balm of beauty. Thank goodness.
This will be the 11th year in a row for me to write and share a haiku every day in April. I would love for you to join me if you’d like. No pressure to share publicly, but you’re welcome to. I plan to post on facebook, Twitter, Instagram and my poor, abandoned blog, so you’ll be able to join me anywhere.
I will always use three hashtags — #nationalpoetrymonth #30daysofhaiku #lizsharespoem — feel free to use them as well, along with your own. Or not. Whatever.
Now, about the form. Haiku are tiny, perfect snapshots of ideas or images or moments. They’re comprised of 3 lines of — at least in modern-day, Western haiku — 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables respectively. There’s a bunch of other stuff I can say about the form, but I’ll scatter those tidbits throughout the month, but let me just add here that I don’t care what rules you follow or don’t. The point isn’t to be obedient — it’s to be inspired.
Anyway, this has gotten ridiculously long-winded, which is the opposite of haiku. So let’s get to the poem-making itself. Mine will often be accompanied by a photo and will often be typed, like today’s. Here goes, enjoy, stay well…
Haiku 1
April 1, 2020
Volunteer daisies
spread like sun across the yard
Light can’t be contained
What a gorgeous little typewriter!!! And I LOVE the physicality of putting haiku into the world in that way. Here’s to the light that cannot be contained, constrained, restrained, and in any other way diverted from reaching us – despite all of this.
I got it off of ebay about a year ago. I love it, although it needs some work right now.
And yes, please, here’s to the light. To the light! To the light….
Another cheer for the light that cannot be contained, for poetry, for NPM! And an extra cheer for your YouTube poetry prompts. Your voice is literally a balm for my soul. Thank you. (When’s the next one?)
Oh, you are so dear. Thank you!
I think I’ll do a haiku one next week.
I’m currently exhausted!