drop down
Towards the end of his life it is said that Basho went through a phase when he was streaming his tercets so essentially that people were walking away, puzzled and irritated. So, not being a fool, he slackened off a bit, whilst still aiming for enhanced karumi (lightness). This extreme minimalist experiment of Matsuo's was producing, as has been humorously noted (over 300 years later): "drop down menu" ku. I liked this idea and so determined to do one, literally. . . .
Below we continue to logically simulate part of the editorial process when we test the variables in our haiku. Of course, this is a very superficial illustration of the actual processes by which words are selected and deployed to convey an experience by spellcasting a little haiku dream. I feel it does give us food for thought, though, and anyway, it was fun to do and some more was learned about haiku technique and about how to illustrate these things using various tools provided, here on good ol' Google Sites. . . .
I'm sure more ideas for playing with this idea will spring forth from the mysterious unconscious along the way. Meanwhile, see what ideas come to mind as you ponder the information on this page. There's always something in the queue. . . .
NOTE
This haiku came fully formed from an actual eexperience a couple of winters ago. I was out on a solo ginko (haiku walk) and, in the freezing mist, I noticed an iced over puddle. I dig puddles, all seasons. In the wintertime they often have a wonderful crazy paved surface and bubbles trapped in them. Abstract art - and often produces a nice photograph. Anyway, I peered down and there it was. By reading sign it was obvious that some dog or fox had observed due dilligence and decided to fix a possible problem. Oddly enough, when I read the haiku now, it conjures a lakeside, once the original memory is noted. This probably means something to any psychologist who may wander through this post. . . .
paw print
on the ice
just one
jp
jp 14-10-11