A haiku is a Japanese form of poetry, and the English version of it is 3 lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables, and is objective focusing on nature. A traditional English Haiku is a complete story in 17 syllables, with turn or twist in it, and enjambment, such as;
Snowflakes in mountains
Gather with the wind from high,
Watch out, they tumble.
c. Olan L. Smith, 7-12-14.
The twist or turn come with "Watch out" giving the story a conclusion, and a point to consider. Interjecting subjective or human elements is not traditional Haiku, but is called senryu that often has a dark twist. Below is an example of a crossover haiku/senryu;
I love mountain snow
The wind reddens my face,
Wary that snow slides.
c. Olan L. Smith, 7-12-14
Pure senryu would be:
I love her so much
Even as she does leave me,
A cold bitterness.
c. Olan L. Smith, 7-12-14
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Older Poems from the Pen of Olan L. Smith
PoetryThis collection is a gathering of most of my older poems, both published and unpublished, making it easier to find my poetry.
