Having reached an unwieldy number on chapters in Volume II of “Haikus, Tankas & Rengas,” I’ve started this third volume. Some poets and writers have noticed that I usually comment their work with a haiku or a tanka; and, will sometimes collect them and publish them as a renga dedicated to the inspiration the author gave me when I read their work.

I’ve been asked if my writing a haiku is a comment or an attempt to rewrite the author’s work,—it is neither. A feeling is created when reading a piece of poetry; and, 17 or 31 syllables are evoked,—¿What is that? Simply: another structure for creating feeling.

I’ll repeat what I said in Volumes I & II,—It is a daunting challenge to wade into a 1500 year old river of poesy. Especially one created in a language of subtleness and indirectness; and, in a culture so alien in its lack of privacy, brutal frankness and wily duplicity. I love Japan and its culture. I’ve lived there and still don’t understand most of it.

It is impossible to create the banter, the excitement of illicit or complicit love affairs, dalliances forbidden, alliances bartered and shattered,—that created Haikus and Tankas. Hidden messages sent under the servant’s nose, written on a flower or another inspired rag—all prodding excitement and showing love’s prowess prolific—mental as well as physical. (Try dashing off something clever under time pressure after an hour or two of sleep!)

I do at times try to pay attention to Zen concepts like: Fukinsei—Asymmetry, Kanso—Simplicity, Koko—Austere Maturity, Shizen—Naturalness, Seijaku—Silence, Wabi—Gloried Impermanence, Sabi—Beautied Patina, Shibui—Tart Sweetness, Datsuzoku—Unworldliness, Yugen—Reflection(s), Roji—Garden Path. And, attempt to give a seasonal reference. But, mostly the words flow out as they are.

I’ll let you be the judge as to whether 7, 5,7 is a Haiku or not (19’s as prime as 17—and almost as odd!) I’d let the feeling be the judge, but it’s up to you. The ordering is chronological and covers a variety of topics—women in veils, flirting, death, frogs, love, death, bamboo, poker, eclipses, the moon, war, . . .

Hope you enjoy these postings as we develop our own modern Haiku form—entranced with the beauty of its past, describing enduring human feelings, but in a different world.

¡Don’t be barbaric!
As done in days archaic,
¡Reply with Haiku—!

Your feelings bumbled,
Never really just crumbled,
They just tumbled,—
¿Or, were they just jumbled?
¡If they had just been mumbled!

You are the spark,—
I am but dry tinder stacks,
Flames abruptly start.

Sweet life’s honey dew,—
Full moon’s glow,—Sun low reflects,
Refracted man’s soul.