Beginnings

Since I was a little girl, I have been looking at small things; puddles, a swirl on a gum leaf, a raindrop racing another down the car window. Then I discovered haiku and these small things found a way of being recorded on paper.

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines haiku as - " noun:  an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respectively; also : a poem in this form usually having a seasonal reference"

In February 2009, I joined in with research to find out how others defined haiku and many were published online over 16 weeks in a study by John Bird from Haiku Oz. My definition is; “Haiku is wonder in a heartbeat; a moment to say ‘yes’ to life. Haiku is brightness in a raindrop, a wing beat of thought on the cheek and in the heart. Haiku pens a precious, funny or insightful moment for us.”
Sometimes I forget my own definition when I overlook the moments and mindlessly let them pass me by. I was surprised by myself reading this definition again. I realise I need to remind myself to notice, observe in the moment & sometimes insight & feeling felt can transform my day.

Karen Denford
11/02/2018

I would like to acknowledge the work of Haiku Oz and The Australian Haiku Society.
https://australianhaikusociety.org/