POETRY/HAIBUN
A Peaceful Moment
First attempt in writing haibun poem
With a brand new year comes a brand new format of poetry to try.
And I begin with HAIBUN!
Haibun, a Japanese style of poetry originating from the 17th century, is a combination of short prose or prose poem (between 20 and 150 words) and includes a haiku.
Similar to haiku, a haibun focuses on a detail of a single event in the present moment.
Unlike haiku, which usually focuses on the natural world, haibun poetry is open to any topic. Also, a haibun poem is titled whereas a haiku is not.
In a haibun, the haiku can precede or follow the prose and is related to the theme, but is used as the climax or subtle introduction of the poem.
The prose and haiku need to complement or balance each other so there is no need for interpretation.
For more in-depth information and some beautifully written examples, here’s a link to how to dip your pen into creating your haibun.
And here’s my first haibun poem
as I write about geese, one of my favorite animals to observe on my daily walks.
A peaceful moment
Gaggle of Canada geese peck ice-crusted fields as they dig and poke for treasured grass tucked below the snow. While they search for food, three geese stand alert at the edge and vigilantly guard the flock.
With necks straight up, they scan the horizon for potential threats and when they see me, they flutter their wings and waddle a few steps closer to the flock. And as one movement, all the geese move a few steps but continue to hunt and nibble and feast.
Winging frantically
through the sky, solitary
goose calls for his tribe.
©Thalia Dunn
Who wants to dabble in writing some haibun with me? Carolyn Hastings? Paper Poetry poets? Ready?
