Challenge 6: Haiku

Background:
Please read as much of these sites as you need to get a basic idea of haiku & senryu.
http://www.haiku.insouthsea.co.uk/form.htm http://members.tripod.com/~Startag/HkSenDiff.html

It will readily be seen that defining the haiku form in English is no easy matter!

Challenge:
Write either a haiku or senryu on any topic of your choice.

Rules:

• total syllables : 13 – 17, in 3 lines (3 - 7 syllables each)
• make each line a complete phrase / sentence / image / idea
• successive lines may connect (‘and’ ‘but’ etc, or a ‘-’)

Judging criteria:
A good Alpha haiku or senryu …

in its content, will feature any combination of the following qualities :

• subtlety;
• wit / irony / satire;
• thought-provoking ambiguity;
• Zen-like profundity;
• the juxtaposition of two independent thoughts or images, that nevertheless interconnect or link in some way.
• in its form, should be judged on ‘shape’; (good ‘rhythm’ is a bonus)

the shortest challenge,
very few words are needed –
this will be hard!

(Not a great senryu, but it should provide a functional idea)

Chris

Margie's entry: Winged seed spirals down; Wrapped in earth, dies to itself. A woodland is born. Christine's entry: The rose shakes her head – dizzy petals dance on air “Again?” pleads the hip. Margaret's entry: Spring bursts from hibernation like a child's laughter as foul winter flees Geoff's entry: Atheists repent with death rattle verve - grinning, God flips a coin

Sue's entry: Rolling Highlands Peaceful farming home then The Clearances Olaf's entry: A Challenge from Chris - and the Alpha Group trembles uncontrollably.