hostilehaiku

Mask

2011-01-21T15:54:00.000-08:00

Awkwardly waltzing
Life's masquerade ball beckons
Mask my last facade

Fortune's Dance

2010-12-07T12:02:00.000-08:00

Fortune found a mate
Despair entangaled within
Consumed by my fate

Exposed

2010-12-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

Private thoughts exposed
Prefer to remain hidden
Draw the curtain back

2010-04-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

Lost in Wonderland
Your Alice does not live here
She has found herself

It All Changed In an Instant

2009-12-13T04:21:00.000-08:00

Six word memoirs capture the same spirit or brievity as haiku. In just 6 words can you capture a moment? Tell a story? Reach a reader? Well I have tried! I've written over 500 of these. Some were better than others but all were pieces of me. I've written some when I was angry, sad, confused, enraged, bored, and elated. One was selected to be published in the book coming out in January. The writers unknown are published alongside the famous. Check it out. Try it out!

www.smithmag.net

The Plan

2009-09-24T04:59:00.000-07:00

My life in five acts
Born, gave life, lost self, awaiting death
The plan unfolded as planned?

Progress

2009-07-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

Progress?
First came much anger
Then intolerable pain
Now I stand here numb

Note: Sometimes tears will not come. Sometimes they come and stay too long. I am not sure which is better.

Cat 1

2009-05-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

Elusive Charlene
Which day is Cat Power Day?
I say any day

Pieces

2009-04-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

Pieces

G-d won't save the Queen
Merely a pawn in life's game
Death beyond stalemate

No Flow

2009-04-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

No Flow

Beyond all reason
Expectations never met
Waiting to exhale

Dots and Dashes

2009-04-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

Black Dots
Making the next move
Connect the dots, draw the line
Safe. straight, and narrow

White Lines
Stay inside the lines
Boundaries are there to protect
confined but feel safe

French Haiku

2009-04-06T06:50:00.000-07:00

Avoir mon cheri
Oui, ici et maintenant
Bon chance avec la vie

Bloc Party Terminal 5

2009-03-24T22:49:00.000-07:00

One night at a Bloc Party show provided enough fodder for hostility inspired verse.

Can't we all just get along?

Why does a long awaited night of seeing Bloc Party need to be ripe with angry punch throwing idiots as well as center of the universe women who have no sense of proximity?

I guess one could argue this is all to be expected, If one does not like it, stay home.

Bloc Party party
Each note an invatation
Dance until it hurts

Morrissey Haiku

2009-03-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

"Je suis Morrissey"
Catharsis in every song
sings my life for me

So they say I couldn't do it...well here ya go. Morrissey haiku inspired by another night of Morrissey mayhem. Montclair NJ Morrisey night was amazing even though I did not get a shirt or a shake. Who knows what Webster Hall and Carnagie Hall may bring my way?

Morrissey In Montclair?

2009-03-15T05:11:00.001-07:00

I've secured my tickets to many a Morrissey show on his latest tour. I'll be mish moshed in the GA on Monday for sure. I am not sure The Wellmont has any idea what they are in for!?! Stay tuned for East coast leg updates. Feel free to add your own here.
Peace to all the irregular regulars!
Can anyone write Morrissey inspired Haiku? Tell the story of your Morrissey love, hate, confusion, obsession, experience within the confines of 5-7-5. I haven't come up with one yet. If you have, please share with us here.

Friend of a Farmer

2009-03-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

http://www.friendofafarmernyc.com/

Perfection Lost

Friend of a farmer
Avoids city slicker stares
Can't tell her what's right

Note: Another poem on observed hostility??? It is everywhere and comes from anyone who chooses to engage on that level. One would think that in an economy where people are having trouble feeding themselves let alone go out for dinner for 20.00 pasta, the idea of wasting food would be unconscionable. I sat and watched someone dismiss two whole plates of food for inane reasons. She came in hostile and left the same way.

Heart Strings

2009-03-05T16:25:00.000-08:00

Third string sound explodes
Symphony of sounds ensue
crescendo crashes

Soloist

2009-03-04T17:05:00.000-08:00

Soloist

unnerving silence
screams validated my truth
lost in new rhythms

Glass

2009-03-03T17:49:00.000-08:00

Glass gate protection
Light births sharp, blinding rainbow
Laying prone, she weeps

100 Days

2009-02-28T07:01:00.000-08:00

100 Days

A poem a about observed hostility

Critical thinkers
Use your higher order thinking skills
Is Hannity right?

While flipping channels one night, I noticed a large map of America behind Mr. Hannity on Fox news. Then I heard something like...we will be revealing the real Obama as we enter his first days in office.

Like using an advent calendar, Mr. Hannity was going to peel away a piece a day.

Fox news, Mr. Hannity and viewers all have a choice. Hannity....what to report and viewers...what to do with the information.

With this and any other information gathering, I am a true advocate of independent thought. Do not jump on any band wagon too fast nor stay on it!

Take a journey through life with a vigilant mind is my unsolicited advise.

Space

2009-02-25T18:30:00.000-08:00

now pressing closer
once distances defined space
"LINE BEGINS TO BLUR"

Circle Unbroken

2009-02-21T10:41:00.000-08:00

Circle Unbroken
Faith in unity
Two became one, one now gone
Soul remnants remain

Trap

2009-02-17T17:00:00.000-08:00

Tending rose bushes
Gingerly setting life free
Thorns threaten escape

Blur

2009-02-16T15:49:00.000-08:00

Day after the storm
Waiting for seven colors
Rainbow vanishes

Unhappy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

Romance fantasy
Kept hidden, safe out of reach
Reality bites

Morrissey sings a lovely little diddy "Unhappy Birthday"...in it he says "I was you an unhappy Birthday because you're evil and you lie"

In similar vain, here is wishing many of ya'll peace in the midst of an unhappy Valentines Day.

Sin

2009-02-11T04:01:00.000-08:00

Ocean breeze whispers
Silent screams of deep mourning
Wash away the sin

Nothing

2009-02-05T03:28:00.000-08:00

photo cred. www.dear-god.net

Nothing

No love no passion
No justice no peace
No mercy for the weary

Snow

2009-02-03T19:16:00.001-08:00

Haiku purists point to the fact that haiku subject matter "should" be nature.

I recently wrote a snow inspired haiku....Silent Steps....I love snow!

Today brought another chance for my awe inspiring natural surroundings to prompt this haiku...

Frozen droplets stare
Glistening with intense hope
Wanting time to stand still

Today, I also received a snow inspired poem from Christine Tintorer
Snow, purify me
Take away this aching heart
Blanket my sadness

Heart

2009-02-02T21:06:00.001-08:00

My poor little heart
never learned to beat alone
how it longs for you
By; Christine Tintorer

Anyone who knows me knows of my obsession with the song "Hurt". One of my favorite quotes about that song is when Trent said "The song has a life of its own now'. I find that true of poetry especially. Once released from the hand of the writer, readers make it theirs.
Is there a right or wrong interpretation? When I read this I thought of my mother child relationship. My mother never stops loving me. However, how hard it is for her to allow me to separate from her ideal for me. Enough about me, what does this poem mean to you?

Gilded Cage

2009-01-31T04:35:00.000-08:00

Gilded Cage

Caged birds do sing songs
With dreams of fleeting freedom
Death march melody

Obama Haiku

2009-01-24T03:15:00.000-08:00

Hope?

Unfamiliar ground
Naysayers can't get on board
Chose to stay in fear

I find it unfortunate when people try to tell me how i should feel as they interpret my actions, reactions, words ect. I try to make it a habit to do unto others as I would have them do unto me. Yet recent reaction to the new President moves me to make comment on some of those people that engage in such broadcast journalism that is pure fear feastival showboating. They have a chance and a choice to get on board, tis really the options right now. So why choose fear???????

Silent Steps

2009-01-14T03:08:00.000-08:00

Walking in frozen snow
Leaving no footprints behind
Lost without a trace

Signs

2009-01-06T17:41:00.000-08:00

Fair warning given
No twenty one gun salute
Just your wry smile

Born Again

2009-01-04T05:08:00.000-08:00

Born Again

waking up the dead
disrupt the sleep and distance
new life emerges--
PHOTO CRED
Michael Watkins

"this is a modified picture of a portrait my friend Annaliese took. when i saw the portrait, the expression and the eyes of the model made me think of hope. something we have too little of. i tried to symbolize this by having her emerge from the shell of a broken person into a new life."

New Year

2009-01-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

2009

Last year brought great storms
New Year forecast looks the same
Rainy with some sun

Wish

2008-12-25T16:34:00.000-08:00

Christmas Wish

"You are on your own"
Is that a promise? A threat?
Just wish it were true.

V

2008-12-20T19:11:00.000-08:00

V
Victims have no voice
Want someone to hear my scream
Listen for my sound

I like writing to stand alone minus the commentary. Perhaps this is why I struggled through British Literature courses. Not only did I not want to read it, but also I did not care to hear someone talk about what he thought I should think it meant. Despite the aforementioned, I comment.

If you've ever been a victim of anything, you know you did not choose to have harm befall upon you. Did you stay silent, whisper, or scream? How long will you stay a victim?

Nevermore

2008-11-30T19:44:00.000-08:00

Raven

Life was worth the risk
Death a welcome escape
Lived like a caged bird

The Way

2008-11-30T05:30:00.000-08:00

No Way Out

Confusion confines
Await clarity of mind
My life is not mine

Destructive pattern
labyrinth without an escape
finally I fall

CMJ Music Marathon

2008-10-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

So much CMJ....so little time. I really could blog up a storm with some great info on sights and sounds yet right now is not that time.

I will admit to a very odd and personal feeling......so much of that music forced me to feel so much until I now am drained from that same ability. I was so happy for a while. I will just take a brief moment encourage everyone to check out " The Physics of Meaning".

http://www.thephysicsofmeaning.com/
Who loves music that much that it takes you, shakes you, wakes you, and then...makes you want to run and hide...tucked inside with your new found exposed raw emotions. I do.....do you?

Music Matters
Sheltered emotions
Sounds shattering my being
Please stop the music

Blind Eye

2008-10-06T22:34:00.000-07:00

Blind Eye

Don't have a third eye
How blessed are those who do
Insight within reach

Dedicated to Kam for 17 years of patience with me

Au Revoir

2008-09-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

Au Revoir
Silenced by your screams
Inside my voice crys mercy
Nothing left to say

Brooklyn Book Festival

2008-09-15T20:46:00.000-07:00

Observer
Sit, listen, think, write
Readers hear their writers speak
When will we switch roles?

My favorite part of the day was listening to the six word memoir presentation in which audience participation lead the direction of the presentation. The whole day offers wonderful opportunities to meet "real" writers, hear readings, and learn about everything bookish.
Yet for a brief moment in time on a small stage, the playing field is leveled. Anyone could have stood up and shared their life story, albeit in 6 words. If you missed the fest, try your hand at smith. Somehow releasing your heartbreaking story may mave you from mad to glad. At a minimum, it moves you from observer to participant.
www.smithmag.net

Terror

2008-09-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

Terror

Can't look behind me
Missed opportunities loom
Threatening my being

Over

2008-08-31T12:31:00.000-07:00

Over
End of the rainbow
Shadow of colors remain
" The Line starts to Blur "
Note: Listening to much of my fav music lately and to be fair, this poem was prompted by the NIN line/song......

http://www.last.fm/music/Nine+Inch+Nails/_/The+Line+Begins+to+Blur

No Justice/No peace

2008-08-31T06:09:00.000-07:00

No Justice:No Peace
Love isn't an option
Life with you is like a war
Need an exit plan

FREE

2008-08-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

Logic calls me home
Obligations force my hand
Elusive freedom

Fluid Love

2008-08-05T04:38:00.000-07:00

What would a study in hostility be without some good old Mamma bashing! Doesn't every problem in your whole life get traced back to the Mom...and somehow she is always wrong.
Some Advice:
Even if she is at fault, GET OVER IT by whatever healthy means you desire.
More Advice:
This works for other situations you find yourself in that are creating anger.
Whatever or whomever is causing you to feel angry, don't get stuck there..Do something about it or GET OVER IT. Again this can take many forms, pick one and move!

Maybe writing little haiku can help :)

FLUID LOVE

Mother's Love in flux
Can't live up to her ideal
Yet, can't stop trying

Socrates

2008-07-24T04:34:00.000-07:00

Socratic method
questions beget more questions
conversation swirls

Do emotions reveal themselves in gradation?
Is anger an absolute?
When one is frustrated are they as angry/hostile as when scorned?

Swirl amongst yourselves...........................

The End

2008-07-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

Endings offer hope
Finding my path of closure
Behind unlocked doors

Rainbow Haiku

2008-07-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

You know life can't be all that bad when you are sitting on a beach "arguing" about rainbows. I've always loved rainbows...REAL ones with all the 7 colors visable. Color is the reflection of light. Indeed white and black are technically not colors. With all this in mind, we came up with this:

Seven arched colors
Boundry lines are never drawn
Without light all fades

Beer Haiku

2008-07-14T11:53:00.000-07:00

No one wants to be
The guy that punches the groom
On his wedding night
Captain Hops
http://www.beerhaikudaily.com/2008/07/14/beer-vs-wine/

The above contribution comes from a fellow haiku enthusiast. (See my contribution in the form of a Beer vs Wine haiku by using the link above)

While beer in and of itself need not go hand in hand with hostility, sometimes it brings it out of you! I wonder if the protagonist of this story needed a few before his valiant act?
Good poetry does that for you, makes you think!
Thanks Captain.

Words

2008-07-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

words shadow the past
change words as they suit your needs
words crush the future

Not Quite What I was Planning

2008-07-06T03:42:00.000-07:00

This book is not at all haiku but each entry has a haiku spirit. Trying to tell a good story of your life in 6 words or less might be the epitome of brevity. Try it! Smith magazine has a current project asking the writer to tell a story of love and heartbreak in 6 words or less. I wrote a few, here is my most hostile. I'll need to work a lot harder at this!
Music rocks my world, not you!

www.smithmag.net

RED

2008-06-28T18:56:00.000-07:00

Don't try to love me
Brick by brick, the wall's complete
All I see is red

The Art of the Cross and the Double Cross

2008-06-25T17:25:00.000-07:00

Between Jenny O show, this play and some intense educational pursuits....my mind is spinning this week. I can't really say if this haiku speaks to any one of these particular events, I just know it is there. Take it as you will. In fact I invite you to submit a possible last line

Winner or Loser?
Eternal conflict unsolved

Jenny Owen Youngs ,NY

2008-06-24T03:07:00.000-07:00

I love the music of Jenny, not as much as the other Jenny but each Jenny is special in her own way. I write here of an awesome angry lyric from Jenny O.

Jenny Owen Youngs
"What the F**K was I thinking"
Way to be badass

Haiku Event from Booklyn

2008-06-22T19:33:00.000-07:00

Haiku Not Bombs: a Booklyn book release party
with readings by:

Tom Gilroy, Jim McKay, Shin Yu Pai, Rick “Biskit” Roth, and Patrick So

Wednesday, July 9
8-10pm
Free as a bird!

Booklyn Artist Alliance is excited to announce the publication of Haiku Not Bombs, the latest edition of the Another Booklyn Chapbook series, a letterpressed/silkscreened handmade series. Please join Booklyn and Collectivo Haiku authors for a book release party including readings and films from the book in a multimedia extravaganza.

Think Coffee
248 Mercer St and 3rd St, NYC 10012
BDFV to Broadway Lafayette | 6 to Bleeker | NRW to Prince
212.228.6226
www.thinkcoffeenyc.com | www.booklyn.org

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 7 5...fact or fiction?

2008-06-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

Unless anyone is going to submit a haiku in Japanese, suffice it to say we will be working with the long held format for most..5 7 5 syllable pattern.

Translating a Japanese poem to English will result in a loss of form so to speak but we are speaking apples and oranges here. To be specific, one must consider the issue of a sound verses a syllable.

The Japanese count sounds not syllables when crafting haiku. I will use the word haiku as an example.

A single syllable sound in English is a vowel sound. In English the word Haiku is 2 syllables. Hai-ku

In Japanese, the word haiku is 3 sounds.Ha-i-ku.

Now here is a full comparison of count as one considers translation.

Furuike ya 5 (Fu-ru-i-ke-ya) An old pond
Kawazu tobikomu 7 (Ka-wa-zu-to-bi-ko-mu) A frog jumps in
Mizu no oto 5 (Mi-zu-no-o-to) The sound of water

I continue to be more than comfortable espousing the 5, 7, 5 format for the speakers and writers of English but at least now you can say you are well versed in Haiku purist philosophy!

Haiku Defined

2008-06-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

It is .........unrhymed Japanese poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively. The term haiku is derived from the first element of the word haikai (a humorous form of renga, or linked-verse poem) and the second element of the word hokku (the initial stanza of a renga).

The hokku, which set the tone of a renga, had to mention in its three lines such subjects as the season, time of day, and the dominant features of the landscape, making it almost an independent poem.

The hokku (often interchangeably called haikai) became known as the haiku late in the 19th century, when it was entirely divested of its original function of opening a sequence of verse; today even the earlier hokku are usually called haiku.

Got Haiku?

2008-06-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

This blog will be dedicated strictly to the ancient art of Haiku.

I would like to give and get information on everything haiku.

More importantly, I am in the midst of seeking submissions for an upcoming book entitled:

HOSTILE HAIKU

Here are the "rules".....................

1. Please submit haiku poetry that helps you get out your hostility.

Now there are a number of you who may disagree with the premise of this pursuit. I present to you my vision and my vision only.

%&! Anger is a negative and selfish emotion and it is REAL!!!! It has a time and a place.

*&# Getting that anger out will make or break your spirit!

#+% If you want to get it out another way, feel free but don't judge how we get ours out here. We write it out.

2. This is a public forum for all writing. While your post may appear here, it may not be published in the final book. All prospective contributors will be contacted with details.

Here we go...Haiku number 1 and counting.........................

Black is my color

You have stolen my rainbow

Give it back damn it