A Few True Haiku

Plus a Tanka equals Waka which is actually Shi

Spring falls on Winter
Blankets of balance warming
The wait for Summer

Vernal thoughts in step
Autumnal dreams of moonbeams
Solstice rivers slept

When winter thaws streams
Water falls into a spring
Filling summer dreams

Harvest equinox
Of hibernal seed planted
In budding visions
Sol ignites brumal first ice
Melting chronol divisions

2022

Author's Note

I've been studying Japanese poetry. If it is in Japanese it is Waka. If it's in English it is Shi. As well as being about nature and seasons Haiku should not rhyme. I discovered this after I wrote these and decided not to change them because I like them as is. I'll keep that in mind for future Haiku. I'll have to put Billigami in the cage I built for him in my mind.

I would like to invite any poet who is up for it to join me in a Renga which is a collaboration. One poet starts with a Haiku or Senryu, the other answers with a couplet, 7 syllables both lines. Goes on for as long as it wants. You could pick one of these or go back through my stuff. I have 30 Senryu or so and one lonely Haiku. But I am rather fond of 'Haiku Hell'. You could message me if you prefer it was private and we can post it if it becomes something. Or just have at it here. I'm ready to go!

Reviews

[lightsong]

Wow! I bet the one who wrote this at least the first three creative gorgeous Haiku is William! "Spring falls on Winter, When winter thaws streams ... etc" just wow! so brilliant, so creative! I used in one of my poems "seasons melt into wholeness" and that's what I see and feel here... seasons melt into one, into the now... all creating the "whole". outstanding one, the last verse speaks to me of rebirth... of faith and hope that even in the coldest of winter it's there underneath with warmth and care. as for the collaboration. being only a free verse writer and more worse in rhyming poetry I hope You will find a better partner than I lol

[William Michael Reeves]

Thank you thank you! And your right, I let Billigami have his way with the Tanka but I felt the Haiku. I've been getting schooled and now know Haiku shouldn't rhyme. I wonder if I read the poem of yours and that subconsciously inspired me.

Gounwah! You are an amazing poet. I have read enough of you that I know your rhyme is Light and your Song is free. I know you have a few couplets in you. No rhyme just 2 lines 7 syllables each. I would love to Renga with you. I think we could sing beautiful music together! Pick one of the Haiku and I'll steer you to poetic stars!

[lightsong]

Thank You for the compliment dear Bill, You know how to make a Lady smile :> I will see when I have free time and if something came to me I will guide a star to You ;>

B.T.W, I meant William who wrote the Haiku :> but it seems Bills' ego couldn't take it and slipped into my ink.

[William Michael Reeves]

It can get confusing when there's 3 of me. William is the front man who's name we use because it sounds good with art, and I take my art seriously. Bill does the writing and keeps things in check and Billigami is the alter ego who has this uncontrollable urge to fold words. I let him out of his cage when I really need a rhyme! Look forward to riding your star through the poetic cosmos!

[lightsong]

WOw! I thought William writes too! William writes with the heart while Bill writes with the brain. I love Billigami because he changes, change brings excitement ;>

[KAREN]

Nicely penned!
When winter thaws streams
Water falls into a spring
Filling summer dreams
I love your descriptions!

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks. That was the haiku I used for 'Translations'. It has a nice ring even in other languages.

[KAREN]

You're welcome!

[Miss Sharon]

Your knowledge and expertise in the different poetic forms is a bit intimidating kind sir! But I love to read your works. I used to dabble a bit in "form" poetry but it's been a long time. ~Sharon

[JE Falcon]

I agree, leave them as they are; they're great. Besides, only time will tell if they become another kind of Haiku.
"When winter thaws streams
Water falls into a spring
Filling summer dreams" ***WMR

Summer dreams will find
Us riding upon that wave,
imagination. ***JEF

[William Michael Reeves]

Finding Fall lucid
We rode the tidal changes
Surfing ideas

[William Michael Reeves]

Here's a couplet if you prefer to haiku...

Found in Autumnal slumber
Swells of creativity

[JE Falcon]

"Finding Fall lucid
We rode the tidal changes
Surfing ideas" *** WMR
"And writing poems
until the summer's slumber
and winter found us. *** JEF

[M. J. Smith]

I love the way this flows. I've been playing with tankas. Well written and well researched.

[William Michael Reeves]

Thank you. I'll come check you out.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Spring never could march
surely Summer was watching
for she was left out

[William Michael Reeves]

June consoled Summer melting
April showers flood in sun

[Cherrie Palmer]

However Summer runs 🔥
You know:

console me never
hold on said Mother nature
see the tempest blow

[William Michael Reeves]

May told Mother forever
As AuGust blew into Fall

[Cherrie Palmer]

April whispers softly
her slight voice cannot be heard
over all the stars singing

[William Michael Reeves]

July cries in Spring's murmur
Hearing suns September wept

[Cherrie Palmer]

Hope's lace covered
November and December
sleeping under snow

[William Michael Reeves]

October webs without warmth
Wish January would come

[Cherrie Palmer]

February's march
waned finding a early bloom
yearning for springtime

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I like these...especially the last one....the Shi.
I feel as Emily Dickinson did...form is meant to be violated.
Poetic license.
so the rhyme? why not...you are just deviating a bit.
j.

[William Michael Reeves]

For a sec I thought you just answered the question I had just asked you. Wrong initials. Deviation leads to innovation. I wanted to strictly write seasons but fear of poetic insubordination led me to conformation. Thanks for renewing my license.

[Patricia]

These are really nice and I enjoyed reading them. I have always admired the style but I can’t write them, well I’m sure I could and had to for classes I took but not my strong point. So kudos to you and those who take on your challenge I look forward to reading them. Write on!

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks Patricia. I know you can but I'm not going to write how you have talent and brief thoughts summed up in 17 syllables should be easy. Well, I guess I did just write it. Think about 17 syllables from one of your poems and piece that together in somewhat disjointed fashion and you have Haiku. Or Senryu. The less serious you take it the better it will probably be.