Sarah is a British eccentric who writes offbeat fiction, haiku and tanka poetry. When stuck for words, she sketches or paints instead. She's into nature conservation, sustainability, gardening, dogs, natural health, and reading. Her sociability is something that happens in short bursts with long breathing spaces in between.
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Glad to read this beautuful poem. Wait you called it “Haiku”. Extremely sorry my dear friend I am completely unaware of that term.. so what does it mean? Is it same as poem? By the way pictures are stunning. Take care.
Yes, haiku is a form of poetry that originates from Japan. Traditionally, it has 17 syllables, divided between 3 lines of 5-7-5. It should primarily be composed of verbs and nouns, with adjectives and adverbs kept to a minimum. Not everybody sticks to these rigid rules, but I like the discipline of doing so.
In Japan, you will see people sitting on park benches in their lunch hour, penning haiku poems. It’s a very meditative thing to do, as you’re focusing on object of beauty or concept. It’s also traditional, but not compulsory (as nothing in poetry is compulsory unless you’re in a classroom at school!) to relate the poem to the seasons and nature.
There’s also another Japanese form of poetry I sometimes write, called tanka. If you click on the word in the category cloud in my sidebar, you will find them. They are made up of 31 syllables in five lines divided as 5-7-5-7-7.
Whoa!! Thanks for that detailed clarification. Will sure now going to check your work. The link also you shared. I ain’t was aware of that Japan methodology and the beautiful way people use to see that. Just Brilliant!! Thanks again soooo much for that detailed clarification dear!!
I love haiku for the way it encourages simplicity of words. As for the heron, I feel a great affinity with him, for my greatest moments of calm are achieved when I’m surrounded by space and quiet!
Thank you, Roy. I have to agree that I’m not a fan of all poetry. For me, it’s often too wordy, but there are some wonderful poems, too. I love the poetry of Ted Hughes and T.S. Eliot. But I’m not into fussy, flowery poems, or the amateurish type that force words into unnatural order so as to make the poem rhyme. Give me free verse any day, rather than that!
Interestingly, Naomi, I was so fixated upon the heron itself, that it’s reflection in the water was something I discovered later when I downloaded the image onto my PC. The beauty of photography and its ability to surprise!
It’s funny how that happens–I found a goofy photo with a stranger making a funny face at the camera. It looked just like someone had written LOL in neon on it. It turned out to be a Louis Vuitton store with a sign cut off by the foreground.
Thank you, Christy 🙂 Yes, the heron is exceedingly and a wonderful find. I tried to photograph him in flight, too, but wasn’t quick enough with my camera.
Sarah Potter Writes 
Stunning!
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Hi Sarah,
Glad to read this beautuful poem. Wait you called it “Haiku”. Extremely sorry my dear friend I am completely unaware of that term.. so what does it mean? Is it same as poem? By the way pictures are stunning. Take care.
Regards,
Swetank. Be Bettr, Stay Bettr. 🙂
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Hi Swetank
Yes, haiku is a form of poetry that originates from Japan. Traditionally, it has 17 syllables, divided between 3 lines of 5-7-5. It should primarily be composed of verbs and nouns, with adjectives and adverbs kept to a minimum. Not everybody sticks to these rigid rules, but I like the discipline of doing so.
In Japan, you will see people sitting on park benches in their lunch hour, penning haiku poems. It’s a very meditative thing to do, as you’re focusing on object of beauty or concept. It’s also traditional, but not compulsory (as nothing in poetry is compulsory unless you’re in a classroom at school!) to relate the poem to the seasons and nature.
If you’re interested, you can read more about it here http://www.poets.org/poetsorg/text/poetic-form-haiku
There’s also another Japanese form of poetry I sometimes write, called tanka. If you click on the word in the category cloud in my sidebar, you will find them. They are made up of 31 syllables in five lines divided as 5-7-5-7-7.
I’m glad you like the pictures. Thank you.
All best wishes
Sarah 🙂
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Whoa!! Thanks for that detailed clarification. Will sure now going to check your work. The link also you shared. I ain’t was aware of that Japan methodology and the beautiful way people use to see that. Just Brilliant!! Thanks again soooo much for that detailed clarification dear!!
Regards,
Swetank. Be Bettr, Stay Bettr! 🙂
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Gorgeous, Sarah. 🙂
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Thank you, Sylvia 🙂
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I enjoy the simplicity of your words and the calm the heron displays.
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I love haiku for the way it encourages simplicity of words. As for the heron, I feel a great affinity with him, for my greatest moments of calm are achieved when I’m surrounded by space and quiet!
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I’m not a poetry fan Sarah but I do like this perfect fusion of words and image.
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Thank you, Roy. I have to agree that I’m not a fan of all poetry. For me, it’s often too wordy, but there are some wonderful poems, too. I love the poetry of Ted Hughes and T.S. Eliot. But I’m not into fussy, flowery poems, or the amateurish type that force words into unnatural order so as to make the poem rhyme. Give me free verse any day, rather than that!
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Beautiful capture, Sarah–I love the reflection of the heron, both in the water and in its thoughts!
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Interestingly, Naomi, I was so fixated upon the heron itself, that it’s reflection in the water was something I discovered later when I downloaded the image onto my PC. The beauty of photography and its ability to surprise!
LikeLike
It’s funny how that happens–I found a goofy photo with a stranger making a funny face at the camera. It looked just like someone had written LOL in neon on it. It turned out to be a Louis Vuitton store with a sign cut off by the foreground.
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Wonderful poem and the heron looks so elegant in the photo!
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Thank you, Christy 🙂 Yes, the heron is exceedingly and a wonderful find. I tried to photograph him in flight, too, but wasn’t quick enough with my camera.
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