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.
CLICK ON YOUR FAVOURITE ZEN HAIKU CARD BELOW TO SHARE IT ON FACEBOOK
Last guest leaves
a faint mist gathers
at the streetlight.
On the back
of the stranded whale
a crescent moon.
Street worker
each shadow reaching
just where she walks.
burning leaves
the daughter’s giggles
whenever the wind shifts
island cruise
the anchor sinks
into swaying kelp.
school vacation
as they re-fill their dives
into the river
White table
the poppy in a blue vase
so orange bright.
Incense cloud
the priest raises the Cross
shaped by His nails.
ceased rowing
the beauties of an autumn’s
falling place
sundown ahead
turning the wind
to black
Ankle high leaves
gathered around the park bench
autumn blows.
grey autumn showers
the sound of the leaves
softer now
Design and illustrations by Cave Design - Maintained by Website Rescuers