Haiku Journey

Photo: © Volodymr Burdiak - Licensed for Use

Wet meadow grasses
aglow in the morning light —
my day is complete.
© dkw

I did not find haiku, it found me. Prior to my initial experiences with haiku, I had never studied this art form or sought it out. In fact, I'd never been any kind of poet. The curious thing for me is how haiku appeared out of the blue. I'll never forget my entry into what I think of as the poetic life.

Shortly after my father died in 1998, I found myself doing a lot of soul-searching. When you lose a parent or another loved one, it is not unusual to engage in much reflection. What was different for me was how this time of seeking brought me back to nature.

I found myself spending hours upon hours rambling about in the woods near my home. This is something I had not done since my childhood. It was during these hours of wandering that poems starting presenting themselves to me without any conscious effort or thought about poetry. This is when I realized that a powerful transformation was occurring in my life.

Photo: ©RenaissanceWoman2010 - All Rights Reserved

Here on the pathway,
red feathers strewn everywhere —
my heart grows quiet.
© dkw

Photo: ©RenaissanceWoman2010 - All Rights Reserved

Above the cloud bank
haunting, disembodied cry —
a lone sandhill crane.
© dkw

After each daily walk, run, or bike ride, I would journal the haiku poems that came to mind. Curiosity got the best of me. I started to read books about haiku and the masters of this poetic domain. Basho, Masahide, and Issa quickly became some of my favorite poets.

As I learned more about the traditions of haiku, I determined that I would not constrain or ruin the amazing experience I was having with poetry by being too strict about the rules. Though I usually adhered to the 17-syllable count tradition and included nature or seasonal references, I simply let the poetry flow.

My part in this poetic process was to immerse myself in nature and pay close attention. That was it - the essence of poetic living.

Photo: ©RenaissanceWoman2010 - All Rights Reserved

The crane's legs
have gotten shorter
in the spring rain.
~ Basho

This is Masahide's most famous haiku. It was written in 1688 after he lost everything in a fire.

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Barn's burnt down.
Now I can see the moon.
~ Masahide

© Nailia Schwarz

Just simply alive,
Both of us, I
And the poppy.
~ Issa

Rumi, a 13th-Century Sufi poet, once stated: "Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment." This is such a vital haiku principle. I have found that this form of poetry, and the practice of it, requires a whole new mind-set and simplicity.

In the pure practice of haiku, the poet is meant to stay out of the way of the truth that is expressed by nature. When we try to insert our cleverness into the poetic moment, we often diminish what nature said best. Our interpretation isn't needed. This should simply be an expression of what was - nothing more and nothing less.

Photo: © Steve Byland - Licensed for Use

This soothing music,
water lapping against sky —
a cowbird's singing.
© dkw

As I continue to evolve and focus on the development of my unique version of the good life, I find that haiku is such a natural part of it. My lifestyle is simple and down to earth, just like the best haiku poetry.

It has taken me a long time to discover that I am meant to live poetically. I am very thankful to have acquired this insight while there is still time to delight in the simple pleasures of each day. It is with much gratitude that I share the blessings of the haiku journey and the way of poetic living.

Photo: © Doug Lemke - Licensed for Use

Spot of red at dawn,
a cardinal in flight —
sunrise on the wing.
© dkw

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Clinging to a twig,
floating in a sea of sky —
Red-winged blackbird.
© dkw

Photo: ©RenaissanceWoman2010
All Rights Reserved

Meadowlark singing
alone in the sagebrush —
rain clouds rolling in.
© dkw

Photo: © Alison McC - Licensed for Use

Gnarled branches,
a shaky calligraphy —
grandmother's letter.
© dkw

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No part of this work may be copied or used in any way without written permission.

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