Yarn Haiku

Haiku (noun)- a form of Japanese poetry, consisting of 17 moras (or on), in three phrases of 5, 7, and 5 moras respectively. Although haiku are often stated to have 17 syllables, this is inaccurate as syllables and moras are not the same. Haiku typically contain a kigo (seasonal reference), and a kireji (cutting word). In Japanese, haiku are traditionally printed in a single vertical line, while haiku in English often appear in three lines, to parallel the three phrases of Japanese haiku. Previously called hokku, haiku was given its current name by the Japanese writer Masaoka Shiki at the end of the 19th century.

Thanks go to Wikipedia for this definition, and to Lion Brand Yarns for this post. Lion is currently running a contest, awarding four, $25 gift certificates to the best yarn or craft-related haikus submitted to their website. I could always use some more yarn, and I haven't been on top of writing poetry this summer. I find that structured things like haikus are perfect to get the creative juices flowing, so here I am, trying to write a poem about yarn in a form that is really about nature. But then I remembered Ezra Pound's own, haiku-like poem, In a Station of the Metro. In its entirety-

The apparition of these faces in the crowd;
Petals on a wet, black bough.

Best two lines of poetry ever. Well, at least the best two-line poem ever.

My own attempts at yarn haikus are less promsing. Here are a couple of examples I have already rejected for my submission-

loop, twist, purl and turn
the magic of creation
springs forth in my hands


red wool or blue silk?
endless creations await
needle meeting yarn


wool, silk or bamboo?
choices of color and crimp
tempt me, call my name

Still working at it, I have another week or so before the submission deadline. Inspiration will come soon. Perhaps I should knit some more.

(Edited to add- art credit goes to my husband, Anthony Santella.