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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In the mirror
the hedge our gardener
shapes like a wall.
Paint easel
a leafless tree
frames the moon.
Brushing the sundial
the Christmas tree
axed for fire-wood.
on the horizon
a quarter moon
scoops the sea
prints on the beach
tiny giggles
stepping into mine
night breeze
a sunflower sweeps
against the brick wall
ripe boysenberries
behind the leaves
a long reach
To join them
swimming past safety
to the gentle rolling waves.
We have the same thoughts
picking her passionfruit vine
… grandmother’s jam.
A second earthquake …
the mirror crisscrossed
from crack to crack.
Fallen Gum
in unfamiliar light
the eager of her saplings.
Port customs
shadows of us shuffling
along the wharf.
Design and illustrations by Cave Design - Maintained by Website Rescuers