Well, hello there, strangers! It's been so long! Where have you been?  To be quite honest, I'm really struggling with which topic to go with this time around. There's a quotation, though, that popped into my head and won't go away: "Poets have been mysteriously quiet on the subject of cheese." -G.K. Chesterton. For that reason, my brain is nagging me to give this newsletter a focus on writing about food. I fear, however, that it will only end with every one hating me for causing them to get up, get something to eat, and intake some calories that weren't in their plan for the day... So... let's skip that one.
Instead, I shall confess that I have been doing no writing at all ...for quite some time. Then, I shall follow my confession with a trick learned from a WdC Member a few years back: When you can't find the time or inspiration to write, start small. Small poems such a haiku, can be written at a red light, given the right frame of mind. Yes, I'm guilty of doing such, LOL... Disclaimer: I do not condone the act of writing behind the wheel with the engine running. This should never happen. Keep your hands on the wheel and your focus on the road, my dears! The point of my comment is merely to show that time CAN be found if you just try. ...And it was better than me telling you to write a haiku while ..umm... in the potty room.
With all of this in mind, I figure we'll first take a look at a few short forms and then... times throughout the day where you might be able to squeeze in some writing time -other than those above. 
Haiku
This is probably one of the most well-known forms in the book, so I'll say just this:
 Haiku consist of three lines with a syllable count of 5, 7, 5.
Haiku need not rhyme.
Haiku are always related to nature; usually, haiku personifies something in nature.
With such a limited space, filler words like a, of, the, in, etc... tend to completely destroy the haiku. Word choice is definitely key with these little buggers.
Shotty example:
Egotistical Summer
silences Spring's melodies;
Hot temper --deadly.
(How else do you explain the heat that kills off the plants that are reborn in the spring? LOL. I pulled it out of the air... I know it's bad, LOL).
I'm fine and dandy with all that, Stephanie, but when am I finding time for all this work?
Brazilian Haiku
There's not much that I found about this one, but here are the basics:
Same 5-7-5 syllable count as traditional haiku.
Appears to carry on with the nature theme.
Seems like "filler words" are okay with this one ...but still might destroy it if it's all filler, so watch out. 
Big change: This one rhymes! Rhyming goes as follows:
The first and third lines rhyme. In the middle line, the second and seventh syllables rhyme.
It looks like this:
- - - - a
b - - - - b
- - - a
My lame attempt:
Summer's temper flares,
Spring's beauty is but a coup;
She will burn Spring's shares.
(Yeah... I really hate hot weather, LOL...).
Okay, fine... same thing, different scheme. Do you know how much longer that'll take for to squeeze in, woman?
 All of the times above.
While trying to pull a newsletter of thin air and give some sort of example so people understand the rhyme while learning nothing from it because you write a horrible example.
While your kids play at the park (that includes the furry ones).
In the waiting room of the doctor's office.
Senryu
This is pretty much the same too, LOL.. (Can you say "redundant"?) However, there are some key differences.
Still 17 syllables and, usually 5-7-5, but I've seen this one arranged differently.
No need to rhyme.
At the other end of the spectrum from Haiku, Senryu is meant to be about human nature.
Senryu also tend to be ironic or satiric in their point, so let sarcasm take the reins, people!
Another shameful attempt:
"Miss me?" Hubby asks.
"With every bullet so far,"
I say with a laugh.
(Taken from life. It's a common script in my house. LOL. Every, however bothers me because it's defined as two and used as two syllables, but I say it as three. Accents are evil.)
Yeah, yeah... I don't really care about your syllabic issues -though I'd love to know how your husband puts up with you!-- When do you think I'll be cooking up one of these?
Perfect time is while you're on hold with some company or another to make a complaint.
During a commercial break of your favorite show.
At a family reunion -'nough said.
While one of your children are having a melt down! While they're having a good tantrum, sit down and just write, "Scream, yell, bang your head!/ It's obedience or death!/ No TV for you!" Technology stinks, but is a good weapon if you keep control...
Observing people while you work or run errands... Take mental notes or just write it on the spot... People exert inspiration -especially when a form allows us to observe and be sarcastic ironic or satiric.
So... What can you say in only seventeen syllables? I'd love to know!!! As I am not slated to do another Poetry newsletter in the very near future, I invite you to post your poem at:
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Please, mention the form -if I did not include it then please include a link to an explanation of the kind. IT MUST BE A FORM POEM! Sorry... 
All said, I need sleep. Sorry. Love to you all.  |
Poetry: June 15, 2011 Issue [#4449]
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