Happy National Poetry Month, friends!
This is (I think?) my 13th year of writing daily haiku during the month of April, and I couldn’t be gladder that it’s swung back around to this time of year again. (Also immensely grateful that you’re here, either reading along or writing your own poems!)
As you probably know, haiku is a traditional Japanese form that has been evolved and played with and differently understood over time and across space. I follow the (westernized) 5/7/5 syllabic pattern because I like working within a defined form. There are also other trademarks of the haiku, including the kigo (a word that names, points to, or suggests a season) and the kireji (the turn or surprise part way through the poem). I try to stay mindful but not bound by the rules.
This year, instead of going free-form like I’ve done in the past, I’ve given myself prompts for each day of the month. You’re welcome to them, too, if they feel helpful or fun. The first nine days will be the planets (plus that lowly dwarf planet Pluto), starting closest to the sun. So, without further ado, here’s Mercury.
Mercury
Your dark, cratered crust
writing an oblong orbit
in and out of light
Note: Besides being the closest planet to the sun, one of the things that is cool and unique about Mercury is that scientists believe it’s partly made of graphite. Yep, like pencils! Mercury — forever writing ovals in the notebook of the sky!
#lizsharespoems
#nationalpoetrymonth
#30daysofhaiku
Oh, I did not KNOW that about Mercury! Graphite!!!
That is the coolest thing ever.
I had no idea either!! This is why I wanted to do the planets — cool facts!
What an interesting fact! I love the alliteration!
Fascinating, right? Changed what I wrote completely!
I love writing ovals in the sky! What a lovely way to think about it. I’ve always been fixed on the incredible amount of sulfur on Mercury, more than any other planet. Makes me wonder what it smells like.
Lovely poem.
What a clever poem, picking up on the graphite, and it has such a nice rhythm too. I like this second poem also:
“— forever writing ovals in the notebook of the sky!” Nice imagery.
Thanks Liz!
Graphite, really? That’s amazing. Beautiful poem, Liz. You always celebrate/acknowledge the light and the dark.
I always look forward to your haikus, but this year more than ever! What fun prompts you gave yourself. And look, you’re already teaching us while wowing us.
How cool! I also have a daily haiku practice. Though I love how you have a prompt.
Ha! I really can imagine writing spirals around the sun. Remember spirographs? So glad you are happily swimming in a Poetry project…the 13th April.
Pardon my so-late comment, Liz. A daily prompt word does keep one’s focus off the news, if that’s what’s needed, and the cool facts are a bonus! I love the haiku, but what I really like here is this: “forever writing ovals in the notebook of the sky…” SWOON.