The haiku thread!

[jeffashman]

I don't want to be a killjoy. But the cadence and structure of the Japanese language is different than other languages. So it seems to me that translating Haiku procedure to English misses something. No?

5-7-5 is how I learned it.

 

[snowbear]

It is all OK
Five-seven-five; and besides
We are photo folks.

 

[4rum]

Should one choose to follow the strict discipline of haiku, there are many rules. It should be influenced by nature or the seasons, if not, it is more likely to be tanka. Haiku are not 17 syllable sentences conveniently chopped into 5-7-5 to make them three lines. Lines should flow smoothly one to the next, but, be stand alone, full sentences or thought.

To correct my own poor example
a fair wind serves all
it knows not heaven nor hell
only our good earth

A closer rendering would be

a fair wind serves all
winds know not heaven nor hell
serve then our good earth

There's a bunch of other stuff too. No title, no capitals etc.

Maybe we should change to Limericks. They dote on the absence of convention.

 

[Hardus Nameous]

perhaps it is time
just what this website doth need
a kabuki thread

 

[terri]

I don't want to be a killjoy. But the cadence and structure of the Japanese language is different than other languages. So it seems to me that translating Haiku procedure to English misses something. No?

Quite possibly. But as others have pointed out, 5-7-5 is the accepted Westernized format translation of this particular form of poetry.

"I don't want to be a killjoy."
Geez, Alan, it took you over 700 posts in here before you threw cold water on it. I think I've set a new record for success here. Huzzah!

...and now back to our regularly scheduled Westernized format of haiku. Have fun with it!

 

[snowbear]

Rain, rain, go away.
I would rather have same snow.
Maybe this weekend.

 

[Hardus Nameous]

it's snowing again
where is the global warming?
i'm sick of this crap

 

[AlanKlein]

Quite possibly. But as others have pointed out, 5-7-5 is the accepted Westernized format translation of this particular form of poetry.

"I don't want to be a killjoy."
Geez, Alan, it took you over 700 posts in here before you threw cold water on it. I think I've set a new record for success here. Huzzah!

...and now back to our regularly scheduled Westernized format of haiku. Have fun with it!

Carry on.

 

[terri]

Carry on.

Carry on, we shall
Art can lose its strength to give
Joy, if too perfect.

 

[snowbear]

Twisted the old back
muscle relaxers I have
but now I can't drive

 

[Hardus Nameous]

Finally almost home
Waiting here at baggage claim
Film to develop!

 

[snowbear]

Real bright this morning.
Get up and go to kitchen.
Yes! it is snowing!