While recognising that this piece is not as pure a haibum as it might be I
detail below the definition which I hope might help. As a matter of interest
I am trying to mix prose and verse in different ways and occasionally the
haibun- type emerges. Personally I do not want to stick to closely to the
haiku form in my pieces.:
Haibun: A Definition
Haibun is a combination of prose and haiku poems. It's focus is often on
everyday experiences, but sometimes it focuses on a journey, and in the the
style of the originator of haibun, a Japanese monk named Basho who kept
travely journals.
1. Terse prose.
2. Contains one or more Haiku. Usually concludes with a haiku, but it may
also include several haiku between short prose passages.
3. Abbreviated in syntax; grammar, sometimes even verbs are omitted.
4. Juxtaposition of Haiku and Prose. The haiku is related, but not
necessarily in a direct and obvious way. The haiku does not simply repeat
aspects of or words and phrases used in the prose.
5. Imagistic. Relatively few abstractions or generalizations.
6. Objective. The writer is somewhat detached, maintains an aesthetic, even
when describing himself.
7. Humorous. While seriousness and beauty concern the writer, a haibun often
demonstrates a light touch.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Horwood" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 10:55 AM
Subject: Re: New Sub: The speleologist
> Hello Arthur,
Iīve seen the word `haibunī a few times recently on this
list, which I never had before. I understand that this piece uses that form.
Iīm not sure exactly what the requirements of the form are so canīt comment
on that aspect at all. The use of language to describe the various
sensations of pot-holing is excellent, very vivid and immediate and
contrasts very effectively with the feeling of release and freedom in the
final haiku. The pot-holer emerges, the owl flies, very nice and it rounds
off a complete and resonant experience.
Best wishes, Mike
>
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