Question posed over at simply_haiku group. . . .
Over in the unmown grass at Jane's AHA Forum there was a recent topic (raised by Jane) in which this s/l/s business crept in. (Jane being in the thrall of s/l/s - as far as I can make out). My own position on this is that (mostly) s/l/s is the natural way a haiku forms. However, oft times enough, other shapes work because the haiku itself requires this to be so. As is well enough known, I mediate the inspiration (including formation) as produced by 'zoka ' (an aspect of: 'the living wind '). Here's a comment-sample, by jp, from that AHA discussion:
Shape is expressive and, as the word implies, shapes our experience. This can be used to assist in the delivery of the inner-movie as much as anything else in the mechanics of the words of a haiku. Clearly, if those mechanics get in the way of the delivery of a vivacious inner experience, then, to the extent that they do, the words are faulty. Shape is, of course, a part of this delivery mechanism. S/l/s is *mostly* how haiku naturally tend to organise (which is probably a coding system deep in our brains).* [Robert, over at Simply Haiku, is a hardcore stickler for s/l/s!]
NOTE
*'Universal Syntax' by Noam Chomsky is a concept well worth gaining some general knowledge about, incidentally - as some on this thread may know.
Now, on your turf, Robert, I'm quite happy to comply with your stated ground rules, vis-à-vis shape. Of course. :0) I would, though, like to ask this question:
Why do YOU think that zoka can be fixed in theoretical aspic and still be true to the initiating spirit of a haiku and that haiku's natural delivery dynamic, which includes layout shape?
-
I'm dead curious about that. . . .
jp
09-10-11
.......................................................................................................................................................................