Haiku
Three-Line Short Stories
in Traditional Japanese Verse Form
by
Roy B. Merritt
Published by Neponset River Press
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2010 Roy B. Merritt
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Cover photograph: “Dancing Japanese Cranes” by Simone Sbaraglia
I am grateful for the artist’s permission to use this splendid image.
Other Books by Roy B. Merritt
Boots
A Bedtime Read-aloud Story Poem
The Perfect Game
Memories, tales and poems of baseball
Welcome to Haiku
Haiku is an ancient type of Japanese poetry with a strict form. It is an unrhymed three-lined verse: the first with five beats or syllables, the second with seven and the third with five. Each poem describes a single brief episode that may be taking place as you read. Traditionally each verse should contain a reference to nature or a season, expressed either directly or by implication. It is verse about everyday life, expressed without complex words or style. The poem may reflect a brief moment of emotion about the event. Although it is simple, it should have beauty in its carefully selected words and bring new insights to the reader.
Be patient in reading these poems. Do not try to digest them all in one sitting. Just read a few at first and come back to them another day. Just listen to what is happening in each verse and take in the very briefly expressed story. Each has a reward to offer.
Haiku
Contents