Just in March of the year 2012, I was introduced to Haiku, (re-introduced perhaps) by a cousin who had nothing better to do while recuperating from illness, but to write her experiences in 5-7-5 graphic scenes that got me hooked. How soon she recovered is a testimony of how art therapy can work wonders!
As a medical professional in my almost-retirable years, I sought the "comfort" activities of my younger years, like playing the piano. It all went well for 3 years with one recital to my belt - a general class recital with small children, and I was last number to play in the program. On my 4th year however, as my piano teacher patiently prepared the simpler of Debussy's, a bad carpal tunnel syndrome struck, first my right dominant hand, then the left, (like the rheumatism knew exactly who to afflict). Having treated many patients with the malady, I could hear myself say, "rest for the hands and fingers from avoidable activities is first line treatment, otherwise, you will either receive an injection to the wrist or get the part opened up".
Haikus came as a welcome respite. Yes, I still have to write or type the poems, but this art form is less finger intensive in terms of force and repetitive motion. Soon, my cousin and I exchanged haikus daily through SMS, writing them down at the same time on notebooks. Friends started to join in, too.
I told a friend that to write haiku is to breath, a brief moment with almost no thought taken, just short punctuations of observations about nature, experiences, so short that the only imagination allowed is that of the reader's. The poet pens thoughts down in 5-7-5 cadence, with no burden to explain, leaving the scene to someone else.
We now invite you to +Haiku Home . Come one, come all haiku-ers!
