While I’ve been actively reading and writing poetry this week, I don’t have much to share. I wrote three new haiku and posted them to my Medium.com page yesterday. Last night, for lack of a novel, I opened up Sage Cohen’s book on my bedside table and read a few of her short chapters. So much of her writing on poetry makes sense to me. Have you ever read her book, Writing the Poetic Life: An Invitation to Read and Write Poetry? It’s available, here, on Amazon. The price for a used copy is $1.30 right now! Grab it – you’ll be glad you did. It was published in 2009 and is still relevant today.
I’ve been forcing myself to write some contemporary haiku, so you’ll notice that these do not follow the traditional 5-7-5 pattern for the form. I find it hard to break out of this structural habit.
I went to the Golden Triangle website, and listened to some haiku resources this week. Then I tried writing more contemporary haiku. I’ve written two more, but am saving them in hopes of entering them into this year’s contest. The contest closes on submissions on February 5th. Good luck to you if you enter! I entered before with a traditional haiku and it was not accepted. I believe they are looking for more contemporary, Americanized haiku.
In listening to the resource pages, the point of making your haiku have seasonality was also stressed. As you can tell, I’m trying to incorporate that element in mine as well.
Thank you to all the poetry winter greeting postcards I’ve received with the Chinese New Year greetings from members of the Poetry Friday group! I appreciate all of you for this small token of friendship and camaraderie.
What’s next?
This coming week, my husband and I are escaping to somewhere warm for vacation! We are looking forward to this break in our routine and some warm weather! There are few, if any, places in the continental U.S. at this time of year that are warm. We are venturing a little farther to be able to have some beach time – more about our trip in the weeks to come!
That’s it for today! Our host for Poetry Friday is Jan at Bookseedstudio! Thanks for hosting, Jan!
As a postscript, after reading Jan’s post, I want to add that I’ve owned Lovejoy’s book, Trowel and Error, for years. When we moved this past summer, I got rid of hundreds (yes, you read that right) of books, but I’m happy to say that Lovejoy’s gardening book still sits on my shelf! (I was a master gardener volunteer for fifteen years and the book holds great appeal for me, both as a person and a gardener! Thanks for featuring her, Jan!
The Apples in My Orchard 
Appreciations for your master gardener volunteering – I’ve several friends who’ve completed that program & their lore & anecdotes are always welcome. Your love of nature & seasons shows in your haiku. Good luck with that contest, they are such great prompts & deadlines for creative writers. And finally hope your warmth-seeking rewards you with more poem-making! Return safely.
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Hi Jan, Thanks for your comments! My time as a MGV was one of the best times in my life – love gardening and sharing that love with others!
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Oh, these are so lovely. Falling into winter…sigh. It sounds like falling in love with someone. Also, I adore Cohen’s book! Susan Taylor Brown and I did a whole series of posts in reponse to reading her book. This was (gulp) more than 10 years ago! https://laurasalas.com/tag/writing-the-life-poetic/ I highly recommend the book, too–in fact, it’s time for me to reread it!
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Hi Laura! Thanks so much! I felt the line just fit – Glad you were familiar with Cohen’s book. I’ll be sure to check out those posts of yours!
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I love your haiku, like Laura, ‘falling into winter’ feels just right for us in Denver now. And I think I’d better look for your book recommendations for poetry & for gardening. Have a great vacation, Carol!
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Hi Linda! Thanks! I know CO has gotten a lot of snow this year! Do you enjoy it? I hope you like the books if you pursue them! Let me know!
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Yes, I like it, but this January, the streets haven’t melted so it’s slick to walk anywhere. Wishing we’d have some melting then more!
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I just added Cohen’s book to my TBR list. Thanks for sharing it. I love the leaves falling into winter. Enjoy your vacation
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Your haiku are all lovely. I do know Sage Cohen’s work. I have a couple of her writing books. May need to dig them out again. I also submitted to the Golden Triangle contest. It’s in my backyard (a few miles at least), so I look forward to going to view them this spring.
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I’m barely familiar with non-traditional, “contemporary” haiku, Carol… Yours is lovely – is it the different syllabic structures that make it contemporary? Your seasonal pairings are gorgeous – both the words and the images. Thank you! Good luck on the contest!
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