Aug 23, 2013

POETRY FRIDAY: Double Haiku

Thanks to Betsy at I Think in Poems for hosting Poetry Friday today!

Today I am revisiting haiku poetry, one of my favorite poetic forms. In my first haiku post (which you can find here), I discussed the structure of haiku, which is most commonly comprised of three lines of 5-7-5 syllables and often focuses on some element of nature.

The double haiku is simply a pair of haikus focusing on the same subject or connected by a common element. These are fun to play with, especially if you love “short and sweet” poetry, like I do! ☺

Here is a double haiku I wrote a few years ago following a trip to the zoo with my boys. I always love watching the emus—they are so haughty and funny!

Dame Emu
By Becky Shillington
 
Dame Emu struts by 
High stepping, feathers ruffling
Glancing left, then right
 
Head cocked, her eyes say 
“Look at me, lowly subject
I’m Queen for the day!”
 
 
I hope you have a wonderful Friday, and Happy Writing!

20 comments:

  1. Emus, if this is the correct plural, deserve a poem. Such funny creatures.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Mirka! "Emus" sounds right to me! = )

    ReplyDelete
  3. Becky - Very nice! It's a great form too - the doubleness I mean. I'll have to try one, er, two. I really like the picture as well! thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a beautiful emu -- she deserves the title "Dame."

    ReplyDelete
  5. A little less colorful(ok a lot) but the pic reminds me of that crazy bird in Up. Kevin, I think it was...

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love haiku...will take a turn at double haiku. Lovely feathers on the emu!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Emus are characters, aren't they? We went to a "safari" last year where you feed the animals as you drive through, and the emus were by far the scariest. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've never done a drive through safari, Tabatha, but I have friends who have. They sound fun!

      Delete
  8. I took a challenge Tabatha offered last spring/summer and wrote this "extended haiku." Each haiku after the first has to start with the next word of the first haiku. How about THAT for a haiku challenge?!?!
    http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2012/07/poetry-friday-hawku.html

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is a wonderful poem, Mary Lee! Thanks so much for sharing! I will have to try an extended haiku sometime soon! = )

      Delete
  9. You perfectly capture the emu's hauteur. One thing I like about zoos is that everyone seems to have a different favorite animal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Keri! I am way overdue for another trip to the zoo with my boys--we will have to go again soon! = )

      Delete
  10. Becky! You haiku goddess, you! I LOVE these haiku, and not just because I miss Australia either. Your "Weeping Willow Tree" from last March is awesome as well. Can I please feature one of your haiku on Today's Little Ditty in the Haiku Garden? Maybe in early October?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Michelle--I would be honored to have one of my haiku in your Haiku Garden! October sounds great! = )

      Delete
    2. Cool Becky! I'll contact you about a more specific date in a few weeks.

      Delete
  11. Love the double haiku and the photo. She does look like a dame, doesn't she?!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!

Due to new COPPA laws, children under the age of 13 are not allowed to leave comments. If you are under 13, please have a parent leave your comment. Thank you! = )