Today it was suggested we do a group post for the blogathon. It was suggested we all do a haiku. I've chosen to do a couple of poems, but not a haiku- One poem is a Tanka,. it follows a 5-7-5-7-7- The other one is a Senryu-which is structurally similar to the Haiku with a 5-7-5.
A senryu is most often based on human nature and can be ironic in tone; whereas, the Haiku is based on nature.* So the first one is a Tanka-
Tropical Rainstorm
white sprawling porches
tropical rain pounding down
washing the dry ground
watery sunlight peeks through
sweet scent of rain lingering
...the second one is a Senryu
The Battle
darkness creeps forward
sleep waits in silent ambush
the battle is lost
*I clarified the Haiku and Senryu differences as a result of a comment by Nisha- which made me realize I was not being clear in the distinction. Thank you Nisha!
Oh, I thought 5-7-5 based on nature is Haiku.
ReplyDeleteNisha- exactly correct- Haiku is normally based on nature with a 5-7-5 but the Senryu is usually 'human nature' (as opposed to nature) and is also a 5-7-5.
ReplyDeleteBoth are lovely poems. Thanks for the poetry lessons, too.
ReplyDeleteI like them both too. Especially, the haiku, as I'm partial to losing that battle as well. :)
ReplyDeleteVery lovely, and thanks for the explanation of the different poetic forms you used.
ReplyDeleteMichelle Rafter
Bike Lady- thank you for the kind comment- sorry for the elongated lesson which accompanied the post :) I guess that is the teacher in me peeking through
ReplyDeleteKathy- I also love the Battle one-sleep always seems to get the better of me. :)
Michelle- THANK YOU! If not for you- none of this would be happening...the every day posting...it was a nice reprieve to be able to do the poetry today- it has been great reading every one else's haikus.
These were great. I like that you tackled different forms, and I really liked the one about sleep. Based on the title, I didn't know what to expect. It was fun to be surprised!
ReplyDeleteJoan- I wrote the title after I wrote the actual poem - just seemed appropriate- and it appears I'm going to be losing another battle in a couple of minutes. ;)
ReplyDeletei like :)
ReplyDeletei came across this info somewhere - that u wrote a book. is it? whats it called? would love to pick it up :)
limenlemons- thanks!
ReplyDeleteNow who is going around telling stories? :)
If you would like the book I can actually mail it to you- or you can order it via amazon.com or barnes and Noble- write to me at desertstar@writing.com and I will give you the details.