This week I shared a bunch of forms so here is a more in-depth look at them

Kimo Poetry

Kimo poetry is the Israeli version of haiku. The language requires more syllables than typical haiku because I am presuming they use more syllables for words but don’t quote me on that as I do not speak it. The certainties around Kimo poems, however, are as follows. They have three lines and the syllable count for the lines can be 6, 7 or 10. Unlike haiku, Kimo has variables. The lines can vary in length and syllable count but it must be either 6, 7 or 10. Try one in the comments.

Monoku Poetry

Everything I have read or been taught about Monoku sort of dances around its definites. Monoku is a single line poem that consists of seventeen syllables but the line can consist of fewer. I wouldn’t go under seven personally although there is no direct specification. My favourite aspect of Monoku is the pause in speech rhythm often shown by using a dash (-) to break the poem. Check these examples:

I’m a monoku poem - single lined and gentle.

We listened to the moon - sounded like silence.

Haiku Sonnet

Firstly, I hate sonnets. If you know me well or have read Mind Noise Two you will know just how passionately I dislike them. I don’t enjoy the pentameter or the ten syllables over fourteen lines because it seems too strict and limited. Haiku sonnets aren’t truly sonnets. They are fourteen lines and follow a syllable count but really, haiku sonnets are just a series of haikus with a couplet ending. Here is how they are structured. Four haikus followed by two five or seven-syllable lines. Below is the text of the one I posted earlier.

Stop waiting for death.

Stop leaving the door open

with a welcome sign.

Start living your life

like somebody cut your brakes.

Speed up, never down.

Become not afraid

of wandering off the path

and into the wild

Dare to discover

all of the wonder that hides

right in front of us

Let us come alive right now.

Let death continue chasing.

Topic

As you probably noticed I avoided mentioning what topics the poems are typically on. I feel we can get tangled in the traditions of things. Senryu and haiku is a constant argument and I think some restrictive forms are a great way to get good material out and sometimes, it is great to have a structure to follow but adding a topic on top of that can get even harder. Traditionally Kimo is autobiographical but write them about anything and everything. Leave all of your writings in the comments below - I canny wait to see what you beautiful people create.

I oddly stumbled upon this weird spotify album/playlist thing and after a while you get into it. Check it out.