A Haibun For Today

Summary

The website content discusses the author's personal challenge of learning to write haibun, a form of Japanese poetry that combines prose with haiku.

Abstract

Thalia Dunn shares her journey of exploring haibun, a Japanese poetic form, as part of her January challenge. She reflects on the process of learning to write haibun, which she describes as an "overgrown haiku" accompanied by a prose poem of 20 to 150 words. This form of poetry, traditionally focused on nature, now encompasses a broader range of topics. Each haibun is anchored by a haiku or tanka, which complements the prose without directly explaining or interpreting it. The author aims to capture the essence of the present moment, whether it be emotions or elements of nature, and provides a link for readers seeking more detailed information on haibun poetry.

Opinions

The author finds the process of learning haibun to be a stimulating challenge that is expanding her writing skills.
Haibun is described as a flexible poetic form that allows for a wide range of topics beyond the traditional focus on nature.
The haiku within a haibun serves to enhance the prose, providing balance and a potential element of surprise, rather than merely explaining the prose.
The author views haibun as an opportunity for poetic expression that can encapsulate a moment or a feeling in a unique way.
Thalia Dunn encourages further exploration of haibun through an external resource link, indicating her support for learning and growth in the art of writing.

My January challenge

Photo by Thalia Dunn 8/2019 — Kyoto, Japan

My latest challenge of learning to write haibun, another form of Japanese poetry, is stretching me as I ponder how to start and where this will lead. For more in-depth information and great examples, here’s another link to help!

There is so much to learn and…

A Haibun For Today About Writing A Haibun

My loose definition of haibun poetry would be an overgrown haiku, highlighting the present moment, a fragment of nature or emotion capturing the poet’s heart but the familiar five-seven-five syllable count has been enhanced with twenty to one hundred fifty words of a prose poem.

The traditional constraint of focusing on the natural world now expands to include any topic; dreams, sailboats, waterfalls, even how to write a haibun.

Each haibun begins or ends with a haiku or tanka, or even wraps itself around the haiku like a kimono. The purpose of the haiku is not to explain or interpret the prose, but rather to waltz beside it and to offer a balance of image and rhythm or surprising twist.

Words twirl around me; my mind races as I dive into new writings.

WRITING/HAIBUN

A Haibun For Today

My January challenge

I’m starting with the basics. How would you define a haibun? Here’s what I would say.

A Haibun For Today About Writing A Haibun