Riverside and Haiku poetry

Do you love the sound of a rippling river or stream? I live in an area that is blessed by many rivers that wind their way towards Georgian Bay. My husband and I love to spend our mornings sitting on the banks of these rivers sipping a coffee or tea. The riverside is a wonderful place to enjoy rippling waters and changing seasons. We take time to meditate, each in our own sacred space and listen…

A few years ago, I came upon the Japanese style of poetry called Haiku, A Haiku is a short, unrhymed poem that adheres to a specific three-line, seventeen-syllable format. But as I explored Haiku I realized that this was an intriguing form of poetry where there is much to learn about its form and meaning. You can find out lots about Haiku from poet Neena Singh ~ https://thehaikufoundation.org/new-to-haiku-advice-for-beginners-neena-singh/ New to Haiku: Advice for Beginners – Neena Singh

I thought Haiku is about connecting with nature and feelings that arise. But Neena explains in her article..

“.I have learned much from attending Michael Dylan Welch‘s presentation at the Japan Fair. He says that instead of writing about our reactions to stimuli, in a good haiku we should write about those things that cause our reactions. If our haiku take advantage of this technique, our readers can experience the same feelings we felt, without our having to explain them. I find this advice valuable.”

Thank you Neena!

I call these poems my Riverside Haiku....regardless if they are true Haiku or not, writing these small three lined poems expanded my experience by the river…

riverside

morning rhythm ripples

heron in silence

~

stream rushes

sparkles on the water

a way home

~

river bends

homeward bound

front door opens

~

meditation

matters for eternity

unsolved puzzle

~

spirit

ever renewal

river flows

~

By Jane Rosalea Brown, May, 2023

If you like to write poetry, explore Haiku….it is fascinating! My deepest gratitude to Neena Singh for inspiring me to share my poems and for your generous sharing of your knowledge of Haiku. I love your beautiful Haiku poetry.

Have fun with your Haiku!

Peacefully, Jane

Jane Rosalea Brown, BA, CSW

Peaceful Way Meditation Blog

Author, In Silence, Discovering Self through Meditation

Author Name: Jane Rosalea Booth

Neena can be contacted via:

Twitter – @NeenaSingh7
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/neenas
Instagram – @neenapp

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A winter walk with Hafiz

As I walked through the nearby woods on this snowy morning, I reflected on Hafiz’s words, written in the 14^th century about aging.

The impermanence of the body should give us great clarity,
deepening the wonder in our senses and eyes
of this mysterious existence we share
and are surely just traveling through.
~ Hafiz, Persian Poet , translator unknown

Hafiz’s words made me think of where I am on my ‘traveling through”. Soon I will be 77 years old. Yet, the wonder and mystery of life, a presence, still deepens within me. It still calls me to see the beauty of life, to be touched by the natural way, and to live with compassion for all beings. This presence wandered with me through the woods, as it does each day, as I reflected about the wonders of aging and the gifts that this time of life has to offer.

I realized that my “beliefs’ are melting away and like Hafiz, I feel like I am passing through…a story, my story, my creation…and what a journey it has been! Ups and downs…and in between! And I know I can keep creating, sharing and “being” my story in this present moment! I know I am captain of my journey but I am not alone…I am connected to all beings, to everything in the universe. Even as I age, my every thought and action affect everything else. So my life, as long as I am here, is important. And what I leave as a legacy is important too. What an empowering thought. Thank you Hafiz.

A Haiku from my morning walk inspired by Hafiz,

winter stillness

infinite spirit calls

deep within

By Jane Rosalea Brown

May we all move more deeply into our senses with clarity and wonder!

Peacefully,

Jane

Jane Rosalea Brown, BA, CSW

Peaceful Way Meditation Blog

Author, In Silence, Discovering Self through Meditation

Author Name: Jane Rosalea Booth

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Something old to welcome the New Year

And so we begin another New Year 2023! I love that this threshold calls to us to begin anew, refresh our thoughts and step forward in a move positive light. I looked to the past to find some insight about how to begin a new year. I found a lovely old Japanese Haiku poem that reminded me to move forward but ‘keep it simple’. Sounds great to me!

May New Year be filled with much love, tolerance, understanding, compassion and most of all peace on earth for everyone! May peace prevail on earth.

Happy New Year everyone!

Peacefully Jane,

Jane Rosalea Brown, BA, CSW

Peaceful Way Meditation Blog

Peaceful Way MeditationAuthor, In Silence, Discovering Self through MeditationAuthor Name: Jane Rosalea Booth

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Morning Crow, Buddy – Inspires Haiku!

Morning Buddy – A Messenger Perhaps?

(For my followers who received a ‘Buddy’ post, sorry for two posts about Buddy but I had trouble with formatting my haiku poetry and had to repost)

Morning Crow, Buddy~ Inspires Haiku

I have met a Crow whom I call Buddy. He greets me most mornings and just in case I don’t see him, he swoops over my head as Max, my dog, and I walk along.

There is something very special when an animal comes to trust you…especially a Crow. They are very intelligent and remember people faces. Crows have been given a bad name over the years. Perhaps because they are so smart! Birds are thought to be messengers from Spirit and Crows, ancient messengers…I listen to Buddy carefully. I often give him messages to pass on. He often makes me laugh.

I began by tossing treats, small dog food, to Buddy a few years ago. I love how he waits for me and caws or swoops over my head when he sees me coming. He doesn’t come down if anyone else is near so I know it is me that he trusts…and of course Max too, who never chases him. Buddy will land very near Max.

So I have written some spring ‘Haiku’ poetry about Buddy, the Crow. Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that is not easy to write, yet there is simplicity in its form. But with this simplicity comes the art of the poet to create unfolding images that provide some insight that dwells within the present moment. Then there is its shape, in Western world there is the use of the 5-7-5 syllables in three lines with a juxtaposition of images that make us often say ‘aha….I get it!’. Although they are short poems, Haiku can be true gems of poetry

Basho is the most well-known Japanese haiku poet of all time.

By Basho~

Very brief –
Gleam of blossoms in the treetops
On a moonlit night.

A lovely spring night
suddenly vanished while we
viewed cherry blossoms

A Spring breeze is blowing
I’m bursting with laughter
— wishing for flowers

Matsuo Basho d. 1694.

I am in awe of poets who can write Haiku that have wonderful twists or insights. I am a beginner but enjoy the process of creating Haiku. Haiku doesn’t have to have the 5-7-5 syllable form but I try to keep to it but not always. Buddy, my crow friend inspired these Haiku..

Misunderstood darkness

friend on a cool spring walk

Buddy caws at me

And another try~

Morning mystical shadow

I reach into my pocket

crow swoops over head

In my book, In Silence, Discovering Self through Meditation, you will find a message from my meditation and the role of mystical crows!

Wishing you a happy spring day!

Peacefully, Jane

Jane Rosalea Brown, BA, CSW

Peaceful Way Mediation Blog

Author, In Silence, Discovering Self through Meditation

Author Name: Jane Rosalea Booth

Meaford, ON

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10 Vivid Haikus to leave you Breathless

A Guest Article by

By Thea Vouitiritsas,

~ “10 Vivid Haikus to Leave You Breathless”

Traditional and structured, this short form of Japanese poetry is well-known for its rule of 5/7/5: five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five again in the third. Haikus are known for their ability to paint a vivid picture in just a few words. A practice of artistic discipline, their minimal nature forces writers to pare down to only the essentials—making each word, or even syllable, count.

“The Old Pond” by Matsuo Bashō

An old silent pond

A frog jumps into the pond—

Splash! Silence again.

This traditional example comes from Matsuo Bashō, one of the four great masters of Haiku. Historically, haikus are a derivative of the Japanese Hokku. Hokkus are collaborative poems which follow the 5/7/5 rule. They are meant to comment on the season or surroundings of the authors and create some sort of contrasting imagery separated by a kireji or “cutting word” (like “Splash!”).

“A World of Dew” by Kobayashi Issa

A world of dew,

And within every dewdrop

A world of struggle.

Though sometimes, the kireji comes at the end of a haiku to give it a sense of closure. Kobayashi Issa, another great Haiku master, writes this stirring poem that places the kireji at the end. Translated, Issa’s haiku doesn’t meet the 5/7/5 rule, but its power remains.

“Lighting One Candle” by Yosa Buson

The light of a candle

Is transferred to another candle—

Spring twilight

Haikus focus on a brief moment in time, juxtaposing two images, and creating a sudden sense of enlightenment. A good example of this is haiku master Yosa Buson’s comparison of a singular candle with the starry wonderment of the spring sky.

“A Poppy Blooms” by Katsushika Hokusai

I write, erase, rewrite

Erase again, and then

A poppy blooms.

Katsushika Hokusai, a disciple of Bashō, writes another powerful haiku that translation cannot accurately capture. In it, he compares a written poem to a blooming poppy. He uses imagery of the spring season to describe his writing process.

“Over the Wintry” by Natsume Sōseki

Over the wintry

Forest, winds howl in rage

With no leaves to blow.

A slightly more modern Japanese poet, Natsume Sōseki, likens his breath to the wind in this haunting haiku. He learned the art of composing haikus from one of the four great haiku masters: Masaoka Shiki. As the art of the haiku traveled west, influential American writers like Ezra Pound picked up the craft.

“In a Station of the Metro” by Ezra Pound

The apparition of these faces in the crowd;

Petals on a wet, black bough.

Describing the Paris Underground, “In a Station of the Metro” is often considered the first haiku written in English, though it does not follow the 5/7/5 structure. As Pound believed that superfluous words tend to dull an image, the philosophy of the Haiku is perfectly up his alley.

“The Taste of Rain” by Jack Kerouac

The taste

Of rain

—Why kneel?

Jack Kerouac proposed that, because the English language structure is different than Japanese, the western haiku should “simply say a lot in three short lines in any Western language. Above all, a Haiku must be very simple and free of all poetic trickery and make a little picture and yet be as airy and graceful as a Vivaldi Pastorella.” In Book of Haikus, Kerouac experiments this formal and freestyle.

Many western authors like to break with the 5/7/5 rule, but maintain the power, simplicity, and brevity.

Sonia Sanchez “Haiku [for you]”

love between us is

speech and breath. loving you is

a long river running.

Known for her innovative use of traditional formats like haiku in a modern context, even infusing them with bluesy rhythm, Sonia Sanchez received high praise for her collection Morning Haiku. In its opening essay, Sanchez expresses her deep appreciation for haiku as an art form.

Ravi Shankar “Lines on a Skull”

life’s little, our heads

sad. Redeemed and wasting clay

this chance. Be of use.

A slightly darker take on the art of haiku, “Lines on a Skull” is inspired by Lord Byron’s “Lines Inscribed Upon a Cup formed from a Skull.” Poet Ravi Shankar distills this late seventeenth-century poet’s words into a more modern, potent, and visceral version.  

Joyce Clement “Birds Punctuate the Days”

Period

One blue egg all summer long

Now gone

Poet Joyce Clement currently serves as a director of the Haiku Circle in Northfield, Massachusetts and co-editor of Frogpond, the journal of The Haiku Society of America; the title, a gentle nod to haiku master Bashō.

By Thea Vouitiritsas, April 18, 2019 http://www.read poetry.com

https://www.readpoetry.com/author/theavoutiritsas/

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Spring Haiku

Snow has been falling since early morning and a thick layer is covering the snow drop flowers that I could see yesterday in the garden.  So I am sharing some Japanese Haiku to keep us in the awakening energies of spring! The good news is the Robins have returned to Meaford! Spring is here even if it doesn’t look like it today!  Enjoy your day!

Kobayashi Issa (1763 – 1828) was a Japanese poet and priest. It is said that he wrote more than 20,000 haiku poems in his lifetime. Here are some of his spring haikus.

Every Tree

by Kobayashi Issa

Every tree
With its calling card…
Spring buds.

Spring Peace

by Kobayashi Issa

Spring peace–
After rain, a gang war
Garden sparrows.

Once Again

by Kobayashi Issa

“A world of grief and pain

Flowers bloom
Even then”
― Kobayashi Issa, 

I enjoy writing Haiku ~

 

Spring’s Rhythm

Morning snow falling

below roots stir quietly
with spring’s rhythm

~Jane Rosalea Brown

 

“Beloved, come with me

Fly in moments of wonder

Birthing spring’s first love.”

~Jane Rosalea Brown

 

Listen to your heart

The truth is in each moment

Dwell not in the past

~Jane Rosalea Brown

 

May love and peace fill your day,

Jane

 

A Peaceful Way, the way of the heart

Jane Rosalea Brown, BA, CSW, USUI Reiki Master,

You Can Make Hope Happen! Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding and Wellness Centre

Author ~ In Silence, Discovering Self through Meditation Author name Jane Rosalea Booth

Inner Peace Reiki with Jane Rosalea Brown, USUI Reiki Master

Reiki for Horses

Join me on Twitter @janerbooth

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Waiting for Blossoms

Most of my writing over the years has come after my meditations.  It is a free flowing writing that does not have form.  It is my inner voice speaking to me and it has been a wonderful way to remember the insights I had during my meditations.

I have joined a poetry group and the poets in this group write some stirring poems.  When I try to write in form, my poems seem a little stiff or forced to me. Then I came across Japanese Haiku.  Basho is a famous Japanese poet and I have some of his poems on my blog and people always love to read them.

So during our recent snow storms, I have been reflecting on spring and I wrote a few Haiku.  Haiku has 5 syllables in the 1st line, 7 syllables in the 2nd and 5 syllables in the 3rd.  Give it a try if you like to write poetry! I think it is fun!

Jane’s Spring Haiku 2018

Cluster of blossoms

Call to the awakening

New birth peeks out

 

Spring snow covers

Still Crocus waits in silence

My impatience grows

 

Buds before blooms

Cherry blossoms soon to grace

Snow tipped branch

 

A promise always

To return to love’s blooming

Upon a spring day

Happy Spring everyone!  We will be celebrating the return of our spring blossoms soon.

Peacefully, Jane

Jane Rosalea Brown, BA, CSW

Graduate of IONS Conscious Aging Facilitator

USUI Reiki Master, Natural Sound Healing

Author, In Silence, Discovering Self through Meditation

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Basho’s Haiku – Beautiful Simplicity

Many who visit my blog enjoy reading poetry by Japanese poet Basho. Here is some information about him from Wikipedia.

Matsuo Basho (松尾 芭蕉, 1644–1694), born 松尾 金作, then Matsuo Chūemon Munefusa (松尾 忠右衛門 宗房),^[2][3] was the most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan.

During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his works in the collaborative haikai no rengaform; today, after centuries of commentary, he is recognized as the greatest master of haiku (then called hokku). Matsuo Bashō’s poetry is internationally renowned; and, in Japan, many of his poems are reproduced on monuments and traditional sites.

Although Bashō is justifiably famous in the West for his hokku, he himself believed his best work lay in leading and participating in renku. He is quoted as saying, “Many of my followers can write hokku as well as I can. Where I show who I really am is in linking haikai verses.”^[4]

Bashō was introduced to poetry at a young age, and after integrating himself into the intellectual scene of Edo (modern Tokyo) he quickly became well known throughout Japan. He made a living as a teacher; but then renounced the social, urban life of the literary circles and was inclined to wander throughout the country, heading west, east, and far into the northern wilderness to gain inspiration for his writing.

 A statute of Basho

His poems were influenced by his firsthand experience of the world around him, often encapsulating the feeling of a scene in a few simple elements.
even a horse

arrests my eyes—on this

snowy morrow [1684]

another year is gone

 

a traveler’s shade on my head,

straw sandals at my feet [1685]

 

an ancient pond

a frog jumps in

the splash of water [1686]

 

now then, let’s go out

to enjoy the snow … until

I slip and fall! [1688]

Jane’s Haiku

Here is a Haiku that the above haiku by Basho inspired after my morning walk in the snow!

Inner child’s call
Joy of heart’s true passion
Playing in the snow
Feb. 12, 2018
Jane Rosalea Brown

Have fun and try writing some Haiku.  Quiet your mind like you do when you meditate. Listen within and let the words flow.  Most Haiku in modern day.. 5 syllables…7 syllables..5 syllables (3 lines)  I loved to read them,

Peacefully, Jane

 

Jane Rosalea Brown, BA, CSW

USUI Reiki Master

Author In Silence, Discovering Self through Meditation

Author name: Jane Rosalea Booth

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Winter Haiku – Matsuo Basho

Matsuo Basho (1644 – 1694) is considered the greatest Japanese haiku poet. Here are four of his most-loved winter haiku poems:

Winter Solitude

by Matsuo Basho

Winter solitude –
in a world of one color
the sound of wind.

Winter Garden

by Matsuo Basho

Winter garden,
the moon thinned to a thread,
insects singing.

First Winter Rain

by Matsuo Basho

First winter rain –
even the monkey
seems to want a raincoat.

When the Winter Chrysanthemums Go

by Matsuo Basho

When the winter chrysanthemums go,
there’s nothing to write about
but radishes.

At my last women’s retreat, our group wrote Haiku poetry after a spirit walk in nature. They created beautiful poems.  Haiku is one of my favourite forms of poetry.

Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉^?, 1644 – November 28, 1694), born Matsuo Kinsaku
(松尾 金作^?), then Matsuo Chūemon Munefusa (松尾 忠右衛門 宗房^?),^[2][3]
was the most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan. During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his works in the collaborative haikai no renga form;today, after centuries of commentary, he is recognized as the greatest master of haiku (at the time called hokku). His poetry is internationally renowned, and in Japan many of his poems are reproduced on monuments and traditional sites.

Bashō was introduced to poetry at a young age, and after integrating himself into the intellectual scene of Edo (modern Tokyo), he quickly became well known throughout Japan. He made a living as a teacher, but renounced the social, urban life of the literary circles and was inclined to wander throughout the country, heading west, east, and far into the northern wilderness to gain inspiration for his writing. His poems were influenced by his firsthand experience of the world around him, often encapsulating the feeling of a scene in a few simple elements.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsuo_Bash%C5%8D

Peace and joy,

Jane

About Jane:

Jane Rosalea Booth-Robertson, BA, CSW, an experienced holistic workshop facilitator, promotes seeing the connection of nature, art and heart centered spirituality for inner peace and spiritual self-mastery. Jane is Author of In Silence, Discovering Self through Meditation. (Author name – Jane Rosalea Booth) Jane is a Minister of Spiritual Peacemaking, a Certified USUI Reiki Master, and creator of Peaceful Path Women’s Workshops and Retreats.

Join Jane for a Peaceful Way Women’s mini retreat day February 15th. Meaford ON Register: e-mail: goldenlightcentre@rogers.com

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