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17 Syllables



Getting almost sociable with my blogging lately: part of a poetry project today run by Suze at Subliminal Coffee.

She explains: 'It's called Tiny Harmonies. What I'd like to do through the first of spring is introduce a theme at the weekend so that the following Friday, participants can post a haiku in response. The collaboration would run for three weeks and the first week's theme is origin.'


[Hai·ku

1. A form of Japanese verse, written in 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, and employing highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature or one of the seasons.
2. A poem written in this form.]

On the theme 'origin,' I did some doodling, and here's what popped out of my biro. Might not be entirely in the count, admittedly!


Attempts, in order of origin, (seems appropriate.)

First, origin as the place that new life starts:

Baby opens palm
Mother's eyes shine
Here Spring buds


Second, origins as a life force rediscovered:


Girl is drunk
On dancing spins so
Free here she is


Third: most simply, the origins of life:

Start: one spark
One cell one replication
Petals open up



Comments

klahanie said…
Greetings human, Lily,

I'm liking all this haiku stuff. And you know what, my human friend? Sometimes this dog likes to rhyme from time to time. Yes, I like a bit of um 'pawetry'....

Pawsitive and pawetic wishes, Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar :)
Catch My Words said…
Fabulous blog post.
Interesting look at life.
Keep up the good work.

http://joycelansky.blogspot.com
Fun - call it minimal minimalism?
Wow, you were on a creative roll, weren't ya? Good job. I like them all, but the last one is my favorite.

Happy weekend!
Kerry said…
Thank you! These are perfect little gems.
Suze said…
Girl is drunk
On dancing spins so
Free here she is


I love it, Lily. I did that recently, actually, when I was 'home' with my mother and sister. We were entertaining my grandmother and having a silly time; definitely free. I felt in touch with something from decades back. You've really, really captured it here. Big, happy kudos. :)
Sultan said…
I love the second one best I think. It feels like the child of a William Carlos Williams poem.
Lisa Southard said…
Thank you all for your lovely comments- and all the haikus- this was splendid fun! Apologies for my rushed response here: but I'm loving being so busy :-)

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