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 2,000 Haiku on this site in ten different themes: Australian, Beach, Garden Sundial, In the Mirror,Kimono,Motherhood,Ships and Oceans,Spring,Windjammers and Miscellaneous.
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Attic.
suns fade
the childhood things
the gingham dress,the hat
that names the school,the sash
the swimmer won,the music sheets
from class
Party.
she gives
slow watchful eyes,
the contained smile,the blink
that knows your touch,the hair
in falls to hide,the clues to some
past hurt
Beyond.
death brings
the last long sleep
the gentle pull,the breath
that leaves the room,the peace
the loss desires,the way to be
soon whole
Town.
the birds
that peck at earth
the vacant street, the girl
who grooms her horse, the sun
on glints of cars,the scent of winds
passed here
Stranded.
beach fizzed
with slapping waves,
the seaweed smells,the yells
inside the wind,the crowd
in gathered boats,the fight to save
all whales
Winter.
some men
must test the real
the naked monk,the snow
feeding the steam, the Zen
sitting in it,the hour to watch
his pain
Panther.
fierce brained
the steel green eyes
the pacing gait,the cage
around the stench, the snarl
between the teeth,the loss of all
you know
Tourists.
the sounds
an island makes,
the swishing palms,the gulls
in fights for food,the rush
of curling waves,the laughs of two
out deep
Autumns.
come with
fallen gold leaves
the hearty soups,the greys
that stretch to days,the smells
walks bring in rain,the dews that shine
silk webs
Once.
to waste
be wild with drink,
the rakish talk,the struts
into the bar,the scorns
I turn to fights,till one by one
they fall
Jogging.
last tree
still sunset red,
the birding cats,the swing
the child kicks high,the kite
above the park,the smell of meals
comes night
Picnic.
full sun
on glass top lake
the laddered Pines,her hand
behind the boat,the lunch
spread on damp grass,the wine we drink
still cool
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