My friend lovinchelle posted a photo that has just grabbed me and won’t let go. Since I’ve been trying to use words more sparingly in my efforts at poetry, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to attempt Haiku. Just one Haiku. Seventeen syllables. That was the plan.
I visited bussokuseki yesterday, and Gassho has written another of his beautiful Haikus, which seemed to affirm my decision to write one myself. To my surprise, he also lamented notebook pages covered with ideas that would not manifest themselves in cohesive writing. I searched for words to encourage him, but all I could think of was “Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug.” Needless to say I left without commenting. The inability to think of anything remotely intelligent to say should have been my cue to close the lid on my laptop, but sadly I did not.
The photo embraced me like a pixellated python, my muse was on me like white on rice and I was damn skippy gonna write me a Haiku. But then I found myself unable to stop. Words tumbled onto the page like Gremlins fed after midnight. I was up until 3:00 a.m. I’m too old for this crap. I finally published what, in the wee hours of the morning, seemed like reasonably decent work.
When I viewed the post this morning, I literally cringed. I don’t hate everything about it, but it does not do justice to the photo or the vision I was trying to convey. Thank you to those who “Liked” and commented, but it’s got to come down. If this were a meal I had spent all day on that turned into such a congealed mess, I’d fling that sucker into the trash and microwave a corn dog. But that picture won’t…let…go.
So despite the heat I’m heading back into the kitchen. Instead of cramming it all together, I’m going to prepare it one course at a time. It should be presented with finesse, not haste. I adore corn dogs, but guests deserve better.
hillbillyzendotcom 
Jan 21, 2013 @ 20:08:21
very strange pic …
those corn dogs almost look like interlocking fingers
Jan 21, 2013 @ 20:45:26
The better to choke my arteries shut, no doubt 😉 I pulled that picture off Tumblr, and I like it because it’s just the slightest bit off center. It makes straight lines around it look crooked.
Jan 22, 2013 @ 09:40:42
Guests deserve whatever you have in your kind heart for them… Be well~
Jan 22, 2013 @ 11:10:15
Thank you, Gassho.
Jan 23, 2013 @ 22:31:25
Dontcha hate it when ego gets in the way? That feeling put me in a three year writer’s block- and I still have a lot of problems finding my own voice outside of flarf and aleatoric methods. Honestly- I’d like to hear/read the haiku- I bet it’s better than your self-critical introject will let you feel it is.
Jan 23, 2013 @ 23:57:34
I have so much respect for your opinion, and I appreciate your encouraging words. Your blog is one of the most engaging it’s ever been my pleasure to find. If your photos and writing are any indication, I’d say you’re well on your way to finding your voice. This isn’t a case of ego or false modesty or even self-effacement, although I’m certainly guilty of all three at times. There was something about that photo that made me want to write about the trees. As I wrote, it became about something else entirely, something that deserves the best I can give. I didn’t chuck the originals, some of the lines were damn good but some of them just sucked. After this reply, I’m posting the third in the series of…well, I don’t quite know how many. At least a couple more, and when I post the last one I’ll hit that publish button knowing that the story has been told to the best of my ability. Thank you again for your support, and for using words like “aleatoric” and “flarf” 😉
Jan 24, 2013 @ 22:37:20
Thank you- you’ve made my night yet again- and that’s saying something!
I can’t wait to see the rest of the series. You inspire me.
Jan 24, 2013 @ 22:40:00
You know- the one I posted last night (“Tell It Slant”) was all flarf- not a word of it was added by me- but it’s almost disturbing how it expressed what I was trying to find words to say. Aleatoric methods are powerful- and you can count on me to keep doing ’em 🙂