Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry comprised of three phrases.

Traditional haiku uses 17 syllables (5:7:5) but contemporary haiku in English often ignores this rule. A haiku is typically about nature, the earth and the natural world and are designed to be thought-provoking. These original haiku poems are by Anthony Rutledge and are mostly written in the contemporary free style format.

There are over 4,000 Haiku on this site in 15 different themes: Australian, Beach, Garden Sundial, In the Mirror,Kimono,Motherhood,Ships and Oceans,Spring,Windjammers and Miscellaneous.

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tropic isle
I cannot know
which seeds may copy

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ancient pond
a firefly leaps among
the stars of the water.

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Midnight clouds
a moon spot
steps off shore.

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After the storm
our marmalade cat
tiptoes the lawn.

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Laurel’s moved in – –
now hers are the wet prints
from the shower screen.

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A scatter of clouds,
silver-edged
fruit bats across the moon.

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the bay tides
the clouds leave
one more driftwood

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summer drought
taller each cruise
the river banks.

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In the mirror
the red bruise
in her rushed zipper.

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before opening,
my pen pal’s pink mail
in her daughter’s words

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living elderly–
returning starlight
the mirror on the pond

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Rock climb
being alone
my car keys jingle.

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