PAS DE DEUX

Definition of Haiku 1) an unrhymed Japanese poem recording the essence of a moment. Nature is combined with human nature. It usually consists of three lines of 5/7/5 (5 kana in the 1st line, 7 kana in the 2nd line, and 5 kana in the 3rd line) totalling seventeen kana. 2) A foreign adaptation of 1, usually written in 3 lines totalling 17 syllables or LESS. As you will notice, there are two definitions. Definition #1 is where many get confused. People tend to confuse kana or a single unit in the Japanese language with the English syllable. This is like comparing apples to oranges. Kana cannot be compared to syllables. Unless you are Japanese, have been writing Japanese, or speak fluent Japanese, you will be writing definition #2. The difference between the two is that in definition #2, you will be writing 3 LINES OF POETRY, 17 SYLLABLES OR LESS. .................................. Thus I write short three-line poems based very loosely on the form - since I don't even stick to definition #2 - and call them freeform! Mike

Ah but I have a genuine Turkish talisman of 'The Eye' [though doubtless less effective than yours] ... and smirks and giggles are a delight! double *wink* Mike