As you may already know, a haiku (invented in old Japan) is a small minimalist poem (ku) which presents a natural moment of brief (sadly) illumination (some relate this to Zen). Haiku are created for the 'amusement' (hai) of both originator and reader, and (importantly) have a seasonal reference (kigo).

The seasons are definitely skewing (and/or blending) here at Maiden Bradley. This was confirmed by a chat your intrepid reporter had with a local farm worker a year or so ago outside the (now nicely upgraded) village shop. Here is a 'desk haiku' (made up after the event, or conjured):

climate change -

summer cows

eat winter feed

— Author

It is usual nowadays, when transcribing a haiku, to snip a 'one breath sentence (or two -author)' into three, then stack the parts vertically (or otherwise,) and to accentuate the punchline (often, but not always, the third line) with a preceding - dash (representing a 'cutting word,' or kire-ji, which type words we don't have readily available in English, hence hyphen.)

The simple syllabic informality cited above is definitely more in keeping with the spirit of true haiku, rather than following the (somewhat erroneously ascribed and rather wordy) pattern of 5-7-5 syllables -which many of us learned at school- as this only works in Japanese!

Personally I also usually prefer to omit punctuation and capitalisation (unless as a sign of respect to any proper Noun) out of the mix in order to further render presentational simplicity for the saki (sic) of the all important VISUAL CONTENT.

It is this verbal transparency which helps make authentic haiku so unique.

At the north end of Church Street, Maiden Bradley, on top of the hill which winds down and along to Frome town, the ghost of the following thought often pops into mind:

Maiden Bradley

when the seas rise

an island!

— Author

(Mum's the word though - 300 plus of us here in this sprightly old village is a nice round number, too large a motley influx of lowlander refugees may sink the ship!)

Strictly speaking the second ku (see above) is really a 'senryu' (which means, 'river willow,' and is named after it's inventor, Senryu Karai, 1718-1790). Senryu are the 'darkly humorous' flip side of haiku - shaped like the more serious nature ku, but dealing with social issues ('human foibles') in the main, and senryu don't need a seasonal reference, which is so crucial to a true haiku.

The first hurdle for a newbie haijin (haiku ‘beatnik’ poet,) as they first set foot ‘pon the endless shining shores o’ bonnie haiku, is usually managing to SHOW rather than tell. This can encourage quite a review of our Western egoic perspective.

Words should never obscure the picture presented - our inky scratches are simply the delivery system for a brief moment of deluxe (sometimes mystic) vision. In other words, let indicated image do the talking when you pen your haiku (for posterity!)

The most famous haiku in the world was written by Matsuo Basho (1644–1694.)

old pond

a frog jumps in(to)

sound of water

— Matsuo Basho

Basho is universally revered as the father of haiku.

When Basho's frog haiku was first released it became an instant hit across the Japanese nation. After many years I'm still getting novel nuances (if not spins) out of this astonishingly vivid classic.

Here is another Basho haiku which SHOWS rather than telling:

with every gust of wind

the butterfly changes its place

on the willow

— Matsuo Basho

Talking about frogs, I have a strip of “natural garden” outback which is full of rosebay willowherb, rogue hay, morning glory vines, thistles, incorrigible brambles and maybe a trifid or three. Naturally, in the warmer weather all this stuff flourishes like anything. A neighbour (hi Pete) who is keeping this unruly lot under his gnarled green thumb (in exchange for bonfire rights) recently informs me that he is on the horns of a moral dilemma, vis-à-vis strimming this prolific anti-Eden.

How so?

Well, the whole area seems to have become a favoured fast food takeaway/hideout for a significant sector of the local frog massive (with several back garden ponds nearby, handy for quick dips and spawning.) My part-time gardener is not a happy bunny about unwittingly becoming an agent of the Grim Frog Reaper! Holy flying frogs legs! Brave reader, picture the scene! I guess a solution for 20-10 might be to strim higher than a leaping frog – any better ideas?

frogs galore!

my wild garden

annexed!

— Author

Try to look through the words of a haiku (or senryu) until they fall away and a picture forms in your minds eye - let the haiku slowly unveil its meaning ... as it were a dream.

Perhaps think of these small minimalist poems as living paintings (or timeless dioramas even), rather than seeking fancy wordplay and intellectual resonances.

winter lake

only my eyes

disturb the view

— Author

After reading and writing haiku for a while you will find that the knack does tend to become permanently established as an optional mode of enhanced perception - plus, as a workout for flabby language use, haikuin' is without peer!

So, next time you're out and about, enjoying the (possibly salty!) Maiden Bradley air, why not have a go at reeling in a wild haiku?

morning glory!

the well bucket-entangled,

I ask for water

— Chiyo-ni (female haijin, 1703 - 1775 )

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Maiden Bradley Parish News Notes

This could be appended as an optional piece of fun . . .

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QUESTION

Why is Chiyo-ni asking for water?

First correct answer out of the contest bucket will be mentioned in despatches! Winner to be announced, along with correct solution, in the next issue of Maiden Bradley Parish News.

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Insertion sample for following issue . . .

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Solution To Our Haiku Puzzle (From Last Issue)

QUESTION

Why is Chiyo-ni asking for water?

morning glory!

the well bucket-entangled,

I ask for water

— Chiyo-ni (female haijin, 1703 - 1775 )

ANSWER

Although thirsty, Chiyo-ni does not want to disturb the natural floral arrangement (wild ikebana!) – and neither do we.

WINNER

The first name out of the draw bucket was _______* . Well done!

[*insert winners name here or I’ll make a joke if no correct (or otherwise) responses – should there be a few replies these could perhaps form the basis of another introductory haiku item themed on the village and area.]