Literally, haiku is a Japanese word that means "short verse." They are like "snapshots" of physical detail that evoke thought and emotion in the reader. Written in Japanese, it has a strict form of seventeen syllables arranged in three lines, 5-7-5. In English, haiku is written in a more "free style" way. As Carole Mathys, whose haiku follows, said, the best way to read haiku is to return to it several times, each time allowing yourself leisure to visualize the scenes it depicts: the feelings it dramatizes, and then simply daydream. Haiku depends on the reader to fill in the details - it only sketches.. I once read that haiku poets recognize a certain "something" in unexpected situations, and are able to recreate small moments discovered in everyday living.

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In loving memory of my son, Scott: he lived life on the edge hiding a gentle soul behind blue eyes..

"Sorrow" (free style) into the blinding sun the funeral procession's glaring headlights...       ~       ~ at the open grave mingling with the preachers prayers the sounds of sorrow...       ~       ~ during my grief the sounds of children playing outside... © Carole Mathys * * * * * * * * * *	"Seasonal" (free style) a flash of lightning the frog jumps to the sounds of rain... ~       ~       snowflakes swirling like dancing maidens sky in white... ~       ~       a summer moon resting unnoticed in a birdbath... © Carole Mathys * * * * * * * * * *
"Sensual" (free style) the breeze brought it a moment of moonlight stirring together in our sleep...       ~       ~ the silk robe floats to the floor and puddles at her feet...       ~       ~ your scent swirling around me like a soft scarf... © Carole Mathys	warmed by her skin the jade pendant glowed her only adornment... ~       ~       the color his kiss had left blooming in her cheeks... ~       ~       a soft breeze dances across your skin like a lover's fingers... ~       ~       under a full moon wearing nothing but firelight and promises... © Carole Mathys

at sunset a horse drinking his own reflections from a water pail...       ~       ~ warm summer sunlight reflecting on seagull wings shadows in the sand...       ~       ~ barefoot on the beach their shadows blown behind them like scarves in the wind... © Carole Mathys

Photo by Carole Mathys

two shadows touching under a hot July moon...       ~       ~ entwined - I breathe through a curtain of your hair...       ~       ~ the water continued its trickling journey down the couple's bodies...       ~       ~ her sigh filled his mouth with warmth...       ~       ~ a love that time will be still for...       ~       ~ I sense the shape of my body by the absence of his... © Carole Mathys

a warm breeze moving over my skin like the hands of a lover...       ~       ~ flowing from him surrounding me love and warmth...       ~       ~ my heart skipped a beat and I knew when all of me sighed...       ~       ~ the shadow of her falling hair hiding his face..       ~       ~ you kiss me goodbye leaving me to carry your scent and touch back into my dreams..       ~       ~ winter rain falls silently like mosquito netting © Carole Mathys

Sorry, your browser doesn't support Java(tm). Photos & applet by J.P.Hale

behind the painted fan dreaming of yesterdays the lady smiles...       ~       ~ hearing old songs my mind takes flight to greet a memory...       ~       ~ sliding down her cheek reflected in a tear a golden sunset...       ~       ~ alone in the silence of the night facing yourself... © Carole Mathys

reality returns illusions for sale just - slightly used...       ~       ~ cuddled around me like comfortable pillows smiling grandchildren...       ~       ~ unguarded moments seeing in my daughters reflections of myself... © Carole Mathys Photo by C.Mathys

to catch a glimpse shaped like a memory standing in an empty doorway...	Sorry, your browser doesn't support Java(tm). outside the window snow is silently falling on winter trees...       ~       ~
through the blinds sliced a wedge of moonlight...       ~       ~	windows covered by winters icy winds in crystal flowers...       ~       ~
against the window night keeps pressing it's dark face...       ~       ~	candle flames flutter and die winter drafts...       ~       ~
with the closing of the door I start missing you emptiness...       ~       ~	in the snow shadows like puddles fill up the footprints       ~       ~

two children raced to the silhouette walking under the street light...       ~       ~	a cold winter wind slips down a chimney seeking warmth...       ~       ~
the night left behind several stars to greet the dawn... © Carole Mathys       ~       ~	cold wind howling old bones creaking winter serenade...       ~       ~
	so few buffalo where hundreds once roamed a lonely sentinel... © Carole Mathys       ~       ~

fishing pole idle all winter... © Carole Mathys       ~       ~		tackle box collecting dust waiting for spring... © Carole Mathys       ~       ~
dressed in pink spring arrives one blossom at a time... © Carole Mathys       ~       ~		weighted blooms patio blanketed in pink... © Carole Mathys       ~       ~

out there in the clothes of a stranger love awaits...		hot summer nights our shadows touching in the moonlight..
shadows on the sand watched by a solitary seagull tide going out...		in the sand my imprint warmed by the sun washed away by the sea... © Carole Mathys       ~       ~

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