the Frankenstein Jerk

Legacy of the 5-7-5 nightmare

Haiku: an elegant and immediate form of poetry, its roots placed in pre-Buddhist literature or chants beyond four hundred years ago. A form, steeped primarily in pastoral beauty and simplicity.

…Don’t know another way (at this time) to adequately describe the results of the majority of current “haiku” (haiku-type) “poetry.” “Lately” being only a basic, convenient time-placement for those who would endeavor to become accomplished “ku-ists.”  For in actuality, the western interpretation and clunky attempts at reconstructing, the poetry style similar to or miming haiku has been around ever since the early 1900’s with the Imagist movement.

   Ginsberg attempted to redefine the form most fitting the westernized speech patterns as “American sentences.” And if having the reader of any poem, feel comfortable while reading, is your goal, this might be a good interpretation to embrace.

   If, while reading a properly translated version of Buson, Shiki, Issa, Basho’s works, one will readily note: the proper western translation does not follow the archaic mumbo-jumbo of 5-7-5 syllables (or sound units.) Folks, that’s because western speech patterns are not Japanese. It takes a westerner less space if written, less energy and sound units if spoken to incorporate more variations and sound functions. We use conjunctions, prepositions…even contractions to humanize our communication. To delete these most common forms of grammar (a difficult accomplishment at best) leaves one’s “haiku” with the awkward feel of—well, Frankenstein doing the jerk. And it ain’t pretty.

Traditional seventeen syllable “haiku” is a great disciplinary medium for cutting away the excess verbiage in a piece of work. But enuff is enuff, Grasshopper. After the globs of extra fat are whacked away, the final result, one would assume, is to end up with a short, concise, flowing “poem” that is easily understood, relevant to, and feels conversational. Maybe, even regional…?

Notice, the word “relevance” in the preceding paragraph? Contemplate that for a while, Grasshopper. Relevence.

   If one has access to a decent translation with historical reference (Jane Reichhold’s, Basho the complete haiku, is a primo example) of Japanese historic haiku—it will become self- evident, why most readers respond: Haiku? Oh, ya. Read that once… Relevance. Much of what is historically written, is only relevant to that period in time, to what is happening to writers and readers, at that time. (A beneficial hint: while writing, using current events, terminology that is borderline gittchy, euphemisms, slang, etc…in a very short while, no one will know or care what you are writing about. Your works will be quickly outdated and relegated to: oh ya, read that once…)

   Written communication can transcend time periods, but must be written in such a way as to provide a perspective that will be relevant to any time period in the future. No small task.

Max tdc