THANK YOU AS NAHAIWRIMO ENDS

 Prompt 28 - THANK YOU & KEEP ENJOYING HAIKU

To everyone who has read my prompts and poems, thank you.

To everyone who joined me in writing haiku and sharing your work with me and others, thank you.

To everyone who has clicked, liked, loved, retweeted, commented or shared my haiku, thank you.

To all who followed me on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook during #nahaiwrimo, thank you.

Keep reading, writing, enjoying and sharing haiku. Let's keep growing as artists together.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Cheryl L. Crockett

2021 FEB 28 * #2021CEH

               Haiku

hair falls in fistfuls  

cat fight between sisters ends

the love of one man  

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry

#CherylsEverydayHaiku #nahaiwrimo

#lovetriangle #catfight #hairweave #jealous

Background Photo by Christian Meier on Unsplash

SHAPE-SHIFTING SYLLABLES

Prompt 27 – SHAPE-SHIFTING SYLLABLES

The alliteration in this title was irresistible. The topic is, more accurately, adjusting words to fit syllable limits. For this prompt, I will write and play with a few lines and attempt to say the same thing in a different number of syllables. When a strong 5 syllable line needs to be moved to the middle of the haiku, it likely needs to become a 7 syllable line; therefore it needs to be expanded. This is a part of the creative process whether writing haiku from scratch or rewriting one I think is complete.

My first version of the poem is one I am happy with, but I am going to change it to see if I can make it better. I will rewrite each line, at least once, using a different number of syllables:

My original haiku (with syllable counts at the end of each line):

Fallen clumps of hair (5)

Cat fight between twin sisters (7)

The man didn’t know. (5)

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

Revising Line 1:

(a)    Fallen fistfuls of hair (6)

(b)    Hair falls in fistfuls (5)

(c)     Clumps of hair ripped from their heads (7)

(d)    Hair falls to the floor (5)

Revising Line 2:

(a)    Feuding girls retreat (5)

(b)    Angry sisters stop fighting (7)

(c)     Fighting women rest (5)

(d)    Feuding women pause (5)

Revising Line 3:

(a)    The man didn’t have a clue (7)

(b)    An oblivious suitor (7)

(c)     Their clueless suitor (5)

(d)    He was not worth it (5)

Note the synonyms “clueless” (2) and “oblivious” (4).

Now that I have written multiple new lines for each line of my haiku, I can mix and match lines to create many new versions of this poem.

Revised Haiku – Version 1a

1b -  Hair falls in fistfuls (5)

3a -   The man didn’t have a clue (7)

2c -   Fighting women rest (5)

        Version 1b - with lines in a different order

            2c -   Fighting women rest (5)

            3a -   The man didn’t have a clue (7)

            1b -  Hair falls in fistfuls (5)

 

Revised Haiku – Version 2

2d -   Feuding women pause (5)

1c -   Clumps of hair ripped from their heads (7)

3c -   Their clueless suitor (5)

 

Revised Haiku – Version 3a

1d -   Hair falls to the floor (5)

2b -   Angry sisters stop fighting (7)

3d -   He was not worth it (5)

    Version 3a - with lines in a different order

          3d -   He was not worth it (5)

          2b -   Angry sisters stop fighting (7)

          1d -   Hair falls to the floor (5)

I hope this insight into my creative process, transcribed in real-time, on February 28, 2021, is helpful.

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

ADDING DIFFICULTY WITH SPECIFIC LETTER COUNTS

Prompt 26 – UPPING THE DIFFICULTY WITH LETTER COUNTS

In previous prompts, I explored the concept of requiring that all words in a haiku have at least a certain number of letters (i.e.: no less than 4). This would minimize the use of filler words and words that have little expressive value. Increasing the minimum number of letters for all words in the haiku (i.e.: to five or 6 letters minimum per word), increases the level of difficulty, but all words with that many letters or greater can be used.

But what if the challenge was to include only words that contain the same number of letters, no bigger and no smaller? Even before I start to write, it is easy to see the level of difficulty is almost as high as it can be, since my word list is tightly restricted.

It can be done. It has been done and it will continue to be done, by me and by others.

HOW ABOUT QUESTIONS IN HAIKU?

Prompt 25 - QUESTIONS IN HAIKU?

What do you think about putting questions in haiku?

Can a question engage the reader on a deeper level?

When an author asks you something in a poem, do you want to respond?

Could asking multiple questions in one haiku feel like too much?

Would rewriting your questions help you adjust the number of syllables so they can fit onto any line?

How might you ask your reader something on one of your haiku’s lines?

Where in your haiku do you think a question would be most effective?

Might your questions be rhetorical or hypothetical?

Who is in your audience that you want to answer your question?

Is it necessary for your question to be answered or simply pondered?

Why should a poet consider writing a haiku that is one long question?

Does it seem as though I am recommending haiku writers incorporate questions in their work?

 

2021 FEB 27 * #2021CEH

                Haiku

church in the morning  

how late will I go to bed?

virtual service 

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry

#CherylsEverydayHaiku #nahaiwrimo

#question #church #Sunday #insomnia

#virtual #service #Worship #Bible

Background Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

2021 FEB 26 * #2021CEH

               Haiku

before long we will  

sing Karaoke again

til then we'll practice! 

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry

#CherylsEverydayHaiku #nahaiwrimo

#karaoke #singing #music 

Background Photo by Jonathan Cooper on Unsplash

MIXING PROMPTS TO INSPIRE HAIKU

Day 24 Prompt – MIXING PROMPTS TO INSPIRE HAIKU

National Haiku Writing Month is almost over. A variety of prompts have challenged us to work with our words. Some challenges were technical; others were topical. Anyone looking for a more intense challenge can combine prompts. That’s right! We can write haiku using two or more prompts at the same time.

Easing ourselves into this challenge, we can add a topical challenge to a technical one. Looking back over the month, it would not be too difficult to write haiku that incorporates multiple senses that includes only words that contain at least 4 letters each. A six word haiku can be a found poem. Another, more challenging, approach might be to alliterate an entire poem created using a haiku written by someone else as a template. Not all prompts are compatible, and cannot be combined, but many are.

How many ways can techniques and topics, found here, be combined?

MANAGING MINIMUM LETTER COUNTS

Day 23 Prompt – MINIMUM LETTER COUNTS INSPIRE HAIKU

National Haiku Writing Month (#NaHaiWriMo) is almost over. I decided, toward the end of the month, I would create more challenging prompts. Having referenced minimum letter counts previously, in addition to writing haiku that exemplifies this approach, I am focusing on it again and intensifying the challenge.

Many years ago, during a workshop I was leading, when I wrote a haiku that would later win a local contest, the challenge that I issued to everyone was to write haiku using words with no less than four letters each. My reasoning was that the bigger the words, the greater the meaning or expressive value. Many of the words had more letters, but I was able to honor the self-imposed minimum letter requirement (and prove to the participants that it could be done). Two words in my poem had 4 letters each; the other words were larger.

To make the challenge more interesting, I would simply increase the minimum letter count and only add words to my word list that have at least that many letters. Instead of arranging them by the number of syllables, I am more inclined to create lists of parts of speech (nouns, adjectives, verbs). Then, as I start putting phrases together, I start counting syllables.

When I started challenging myself in this way, I needed to work my way up to larger letter counts. So, I started with 4-letter-count-words and gradually increased the minimum. After completing a few haiku, I would work on writing with 5-letter minimum words, then I would set my goal for no words smaller than 6-letters. Earlier this month, I wrote my first haiku in which the smallest words contained 7 letters.

It has been 15 years since I wrote that award-winning poem during my workshop. Since then, minimum letter counts have become my favorite way to challenge myself with regard to haiku technique. I use this approach so frequently, new haiku form very quickly in my mind, usually before I can write them down.

Practice makes proficient!

2021 FEB 25 * #2021CEH

              Haiku

Dog walker gets shot 

half million dollar reward

for the pups' return? 

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry

#CherylsEverydayHaiku #nahaiwrimo #dognapping

#currentevents #frenchbulldog #ladygaga #Idontgetit

Background Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash

2021 FEB 24 * #2021CEH

             Haiku

officially old

he can only make phone calls

iPhone paperweight

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry
#CherylsEverydayHaiku #nahaiwrimo

#phone #technophobe #learningcurve

#iPhone #paperweight #applestore

    Background Photo by Lorenzo Rui on Unsplash

CURRENT EVENTS INSPIRE HAIKU

Day 22 Prompt – CURRENT EVENTS CAN INSPIRE HAIKU

Listen closely, or maybe not so much. The headlines change frequently, often multiple times each day. News can appear suddenly and captivate everyone’s attention for days, weeks or months. An historic rocket launch is announced, that will carry an all-civilian crew into space for the first time ever. The pandemic, that has been plaguing the earth for nearly a year, begins mutating to create variants that become a greater threat to public health. During black history month, the world is grappling with open racism and attempting to answer calls for justice in the wake of allegedly racially motivated murders.

An airplane engine disintegrates and litters debris over residential neighborhoods, injuring no one, as it returns to the airport and lands safely. A politician makes a poor decision and goes on vacation, leaving his constituents struggling during a bad winter storm (this is not the first time this has happened – I remember when the late, four-term Mayor Marion Barry of Washington DC did this). A beloved entertainer unexpectedly takes ill and dies, leaving fans stunned. A sports legend escapes an accident with his life, but suffers potentially career ending injuries. These are just some of the current events dominating the headlines as I write this.

For me, my personal current events are more challenging topics; I prefer to write about topics that are somewhat removed from me. That’s right, this is true about me: I have not written, nor was I ever asked to write poems about or for my parents or brother (all of whom are no longer with us). I did write a poem for my daughter, when she was very little. And I wrote a poem about the “apology gift” my dad never knew he bought me (a 2^nd hand crystal bowl that cost less than $8.00), after a very painful experience with him during his declining years. That poem was about the crystal, not my dad. I shared my poems with my family, and they enjoyed them very much, but to this day, I struggle making close family members the subjects of my poems.

My current event inspiration is derived from the news of Tiger Woods’ car accident and catastrophic injuries. As the news continues to report about the accident investigation, his hospitalization and surgeries, the prognosticators have wasted no time predicting his future in his sport, while he is in danger of losing one of his legs. He is blessed and fortunate to be alive, and it is clear he is much beloved.

But I am no fan of golf, or any of the professionals who play the game. 

Sure, I’ll write haiku about this!

Dodging death again                                               

He has less than nine lives left

Tiger is a cat

 

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

2021 FEB 23 * #2021CEH

             Haiku

dodging death again
he has less than nine lives left

Tiger is a cat 

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry
#CherylsEverydayHaiku #nahaiwrimo

#golf #TigerWoods #brushwithdeath #accident

    Background Photo by Michael Jasmund on Unsplash

2021 FEB 22 * #2021CEH

             Haiku

wide eyes start to glow
she steps into fantasy

between the pages

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry
#CherylsEverydayHaiku #nahaiwrimo

#reading #books #imagination #fantasy

FAVORITE BOOKS CAN INSPIRE HAIKU

Day 22 Prompt – FAVORITE BOOKS CAN INSPIRE HAIKU

From the favorite childhood picture books that are now read to children or grandchildren, to the novel that is currently on the night stand, a book can inspire haiku. Settings, plot-lines and provocative characters can fuel creativity. Even if the haiku doesn’t overtly reference the source of inspiration, aspects of favorite books can inspire haiku.

A well-written story without illustrations can conjure an image in the mind. Even if there is no detailed description of a scene, the imagination fills the gaps and attempts to answer the questions that are unanswered in print. Reading the exact same passage, no two readers will develop the same image in their minds. This can inspire haiku.

Sometimes when I turn the page, the story changes in a direction I wish it had not gone. Enjoying the book enough to keep reading, part of me wishes something different was happening, or at least, I long for the characters to remain in that moment a bit longer. This can inspire haiku.

While reading, a compelling character can appear and evoke an unexpected powerful reaction. Perhaps they will remind one person of a relative, friend or enemy, while they remind another person of themselves, either who they used to be, who they are now, or who they aspire to become. This can inspire haiku.

Even non-fiction can be a source of inspiration. That self-help book that helps with personal healing, or a deeper understanding of the issues of life, or brings the reader to an “ah-hah” moment, can be fodder for poignant haiku. Life lessons and self-discovery can fit nicely in to three little lines.

I’d like to say I am never surprised when haiku occurs to me while reading. Honestly, often I am.

2021 FEB 21 * #2021CEH

            Haiku

body language speaks
understanding everything

he doesn't tell me

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry
#CherylsEverydayHaiku #nahaiwrimo

#bodylanguage #relationships #breakup #love

TAKING INSPIRATION FROM MEMORIES

Day 22 Prompt - MEMORIES AS HAIKU INSPIRATION

Memories of another time in our lives can be a source of inspiration for haiku. Whether triumphant or tragic, ecstatic or embarrassing, heart-warming or heart-breaking, the events, experiences and life lessons gained, can fit nicely into the haiku format.

Think back to that moment when you completed that hand-made gift that brought the biggest smile to the face of someone you love. Remember realizing that new relationship was not going to work out, for whatever reason. Relive the elation of catching that ball and scoring the winning point, or stumbling and losing the game. Any moment when everything changed is rife with potential for haiku.

Let your reader experience the unfolding of that moment with you, again. Create the suspense on the first two lines; readers will be cheering for you, hoping for success, regardless of the outcome that unfolds on the third line, or the poignant cliffhanger of the unfinished story. Working on such personal haiku, can lay a foundation for critical thought, healing or growth as the words come together on the page.

For me, writing about unpleasant aspects of my past helps me stop obsessing and overthinking things I wish were different. I know I'm not alone when I confess I spend too much time doing that. ...Oh, the power of the pen in the hand of a poet, plus a piece of paper!

2021 FEB 20 * #2021CEH

           Haiku

Just doin' his thing
Winter keeps us shivering
Spring lays out her clothes

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry
#CherylsEverydayHaiku #nahaiwrimo

#winter #spring #cold #weather

HAIKU INSPIRED BY AN IMAGE

Day 21 Prompt -  HAIKU INSPIRED BY AN IMAGE

A picture forms in the mind of the poet, who then paints the image with words from her pen. But, the image doesn't have to be imaginary. I often look for inspiration in many different places. When I want to mix it up and set my word list aside, I will start with no words at all and search a copyright free image website. Putting random words in the search, usually a photo will appear that suggests a story, and my creative juices will start to flow.

The haiku linked here [CLICK] was written after viewing this photo and asking myself:
"What's happening that I don't see? The picture I chose, for a 2015 haiku I wrote, features a cat sitting next to a window, curiously looking outside. It is unknown what had captured the kitty's attention. That's all I needed.

Here is the haiku I wrote:

"You will be my lunch"

said the cat to the bird
"except for this window."

© 2015 Cheryl L. Crockett

The image came from pixabay.com, but I now use unsplash.com. My encouragement to those who use images found online, is to please use copyright free websites and give credit to the photographer. Just as you would want others to share your poetry and give credit to you for your work, please offer the image creator the same courtesy.

 

RHYME AND HAIKU

Day 20 Prompt – RHYMING WITH HAIKU

One of the first things I learned, after I decided I was going to study and write haiku, was that rhyming should be avoided. And I almost threw a tantrum! That’s my favorite thing to do when writing poetry.

Eight years later, I understand enough to agree, rhyming probably should not be a priority when writing haiku, but I don't think it should be completely abandoned. My recent poem on the topic, intended as humor, could just as easily be interpreted as having been written by the poetry police:

some roses are red
violets really aren't blue
haiku doesn't rhyme

 

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

 

So, where do I really stand on this topic? If you have read my previous prompts from earlier this month, this will come as no surprise: I refuse to hamper anyone’s creativity by telling them what not to do, especially in an artistic setting. I would never want to stand between anyone and them potentially writing the best haiku ever, by telling them they shouldn’t use rhyme.

CAUTION: I will warn everyone against combining ammonia and bleach for cleaning around the house, because I don’t want people to harm their health by breathing toxic fumes. This is chemistry, not poetry. Protect those lungs so you can live to write poetry another day.

Remembering a music theory and composition class I took long ago, I learned that it was frowned upon to harmonize using perfect 5^ths (or something like that). Then, a few years later, I began to recognize historic musical styles, as well as popular songs, rising to the top of the charts, featuring the very thing I was taught not to do!

Then, I observed what happened next. Nobody got sued, nobody went to jail and nobody died!

While I have developed my own personal habit of making rhyme a low priority in writing my haiku, I refuse to impose that as a rule on others. If I read a rhyme in someone else's haiku, I am likely to enjoy it as much as I would enjoy one that doesn’t contain rhymes. And if anyone happens to ask me, I will tell them:

“Do you! Write your best haiku.”

WRITING HAIKU WITH FRIENDS

Day 19 Prompt – WRITING HAIKU WITH FRIENDS

As a poet who has posted hundreds of haiku since 2013, some of the most exciting moments of my journey have been when others have shared their original haiku with me. I am delighted when someone writes a comment below my poems; I’m overjoyed when someone clicks hearts or retweets me, etc. But, when someone takes the time to write a poem of their own, that’s when I feel like sharing my poems is making a difference, perhaps by inspiring others to write.

In the weeks leading up to #nahaiwrimo, I spoke to my friend and fellow creative, Cynthia Johnson, about my plan to write one haiku per day for the entire month of February, and she was enthusiastic to accept my invitation to participate. So far, she has written and posted many haiku, which have been shared on my page “Cheryl’s Everyday Haiku”.

After completing each poem I’ve written, I have shared them to my Facebook Story, my Cheryl’s Everyday Haiku page, Twitter @poetatete & Instagram @cherylcrockett. Lots of people have seen, liked, reposted and commented on the poems. One of the stats on my haiku FB page has increased by 12,500% (I don’t even know how to process that, but I’m grateful). The stats don’t give me any names, so I say to myself “that’s nice” and then keep it movin’.

Friday brought a delightful surprise: my friend and former coworker, Nadine Seiler, posted a haiku and tagged me! I did not see it coming. Now, I feel like I have my own little “haiku club”. Approaching 1,150 original haiku, while I am pretty sure I can say I am comfortable writing alone, I have to say it is so heartening to have people who are with me. So, to Nadine and Cynthia, and everyone who has taken the time to read Cheryl’s Everyday Haiku, I say “Thank you for inspiring me to be my very best”.

Please enjoy their poems below:

Wintry mix streetscape
Harkens to a playful time
Possibly after

©️ 2021 Nadine Seiler

Elated colors
Snapshot of family joy
Laughter on a string 

©️ 2021 Cynthia Johnson 

2021 FEB 19 * #2021CEH

          Haiku

some roses are red
violets really aren't blue
haiku doesn't rhyme

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry

#CherylsEverydayHaiku #NaHaiWriMo
#RosesAreRed #Rhyme #VioletsAreBlue #Truth

HAIKU INSPIRED BY REAL LIFE

Day 18 Prompt – HAIKU INSPIRED BY REAL LIFE

True life events can inspire haiku.

While working from home during recent winter storms, I have heard the sounds of shoveling in my neighborhood I do my job online. Grateful that I don’t have to leave home to go to work, I am doubly blessed that my neighbor has been digging me out after the multiple snow dumps that have befallen us since the groundhog’s frigid prediction.

Today was a little different. Instead of waking up and peeking out of my window, I was sitting at my computer when I heard the familiar scraping sound of snow being removed from my porch. I raised my blinds and opened the window so I could wave and say “thanks”. And those in my WebEx meeting noticed the heaving of snow out front as I turned the laptop camera for a better view.

I told the people in my meeting about my generous neighbor. The leader spoke about how nice he was to do this. I informed her that it was not a “he”, but a female neighbor who was doing this work. The meeting was attended by all women, who were surprised and delighted at this revelation.

Although my haiku does not address this particular detail, it is still a tribute to my kind and generous neighbor. After my shift, I went out to spread ice-melt over her handy-work, hopefully before she needed to leave and go to her job. Relieved to see her car didn’t move this evening (it is not safe to go out). And the ice-melt is just sitting there not doing much.

In any case, here’s to Ulyssia, who inspired this haiku:

snow covered sidewalk 

my next door neighbor's shovel 

scrapes my steps 

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

OBSERVING HAIKU

Day 17 Prompt – OBSERVING HAIKU

Reading haiku by other poets often inspires my own creativity with words. I usually search for poems on Twitter (with the hashtags #haiku or #nahaiwrimo), but haiku may be found all over the internet, including on Facebook and Instagram, etc.

After enjoying each poem, I usually count the syllables, and take note of the words and phrases that stand out to me, then I try to figure out the author’s angle. If I like the poem, I will click “Like” on it so the writer receives a little digital appreciation. I do not approach the author/poet with questions.

When I begin exploring this new inspiration, I imagine the setting of the original poem and consider parallel settings in which a similar scenario can unfold. One haiku featuring fish in a pond can be remixed to feature a bird in the air, a bear in the woods or a worker in an office, etc. Then I think about any humor or deep meaning that might be drawn out of this new scenario and consider different ways my haiku’s story can unfold.

For instance, the fish may steer clear of a worm on a hook, just as a bear might resist temptation when he sees honey dripping from a hive, but the outcome with the bear, will likely be different from that of the fish. It is within my power, as the poet, to decide that.

If a bigger fish appears and swallows the little fish as he considers the worm on the hook, well, that’s an unexpected twist for that last line, and it works well. But I can’t think of an exact parallel scenario for the bear, although the bees’ reaction, to a bear getting too close to their honey, has potential to take my haiku in some very interesting directions. Perhaps, the bees’ presence will persuade the bear to go find a fish to eat. As ideas come to mind, I write them down and develop each idea.

Once I am finished with my haiku, I may post it and tag the author of the haiku that inspired me as thanks to them. Most poet’s I’ve thanked take it as a compliment when I acknowledge them for inspiring me creatively.

Happy searching.

2021 FEB 18 * #2021CEH

         Haiku

snow covered sidewalk 

my next door neighbor's shovel 

scrapes my steps 

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry

#CherylsEverydayHaiku #NaHaiWriMo #truestory #goodneighbor

Background Photo by Valeriia Kogan on Unsplash

2021 FEB 17 * #2021CEH

         Haiku

masked expression

covered smile?

hidden scowl!

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry

#CherylsEverydayHaiku #NaHaiWriMo #6words

#COVID #WearTheDamnMask #Mask #PPE #MasksOnMaryland

ALLITERATED HAIKU

Day 16 Prompt – ALLITERATED HAIKU

Some poetic devices are perfect for haiku. I believe alliteration is one of them. So, I pick a consonant and attempt to make every word in my poem begin with that letter. Certain letters are easier to apply to alliterated haiku. In my most recent poem I used the letter “s”. If I don’t alliterate every word in my poem, because I am committed to my work making sense, I may choose to alliterate just one line or phrase of my haiku. I feel confident alliterating poems with letters like “m” or even “b”, (bring on the tongue-twisters).

I must admit, I find some letters quite daunting, so don’t expect any poems from me that include alliteration of those high-value scrabble letters: Q, X, Z, etc., perhaps if they are parts of the middle of some words, there is a chance I could make it happen.

"S" is a nice safe letter. I am particularly happy with the one I wrote for Feb. 15th:

she shuns staying safe

sleet slickens street surfaces

someone slides side-ways

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#NaHaiWriMo #Alliteration

2021 FEB 16 * #2021CEH

         Haiku

after our vaccines

shall we gather together?

herd immunity

© 2021 Cheryl L. Crockett

#2021CEH #haiku #poem #poetry

#CherylsEverydayHaiku #NaHaiWriMo

#COVID19 #Coronavirus #HerdImmunity #vaccines #COVID

Universally Understood Topics For Haiku

Day 15 Prompt – UNIVERSALLY UNDERSTOOD TOPICS FOR HAIKU

The majority of humans know what socks are and most have actually worn them. So, if I start talking about socks, it is unlikely that someone will reply “what are you talking about?” When I pick a topic that is universally understood, I automatically have common ground with my readers and therefore need fewer words to communicate to them about my topic. They already know it.

With agreement or mutual understanding on my topic, I can easily take it to the next level, presenting my scenario or perspective, or simply tell my story. My haiku can lead my reader in one direction, then surprise them with an unexpected twist in the end. This is easier to do if the reader is familiar with the subject of my poem. And when my topic is unfamiliar to most, I usually need to work much harder and be much more creative to write haiku about it.

In addition to socks in the laundry, my haiku so far this month have also been about 1. winter weather, 2. a moment on the beach, 3. talkative kids who tell all the family’s business, 4. a hospitalized sick parent, 5. Sports, 6. amphibious animals and their predators, 7. a new baby’s bath-time, etc. These poems have tapped into most of the senses and a wide variety of emotions. I thank everyone for their clicks, comments and shares.

Here’s to the remaining half of #NaHaiWriMo being universally understood!