Senryū (川柳?, literally ‘river willow’) is a Japanese form of short poetry similar to haiku in construction: three lines with 17 or fewer “on” (not syllables) in total. However, senryū tend to be about human foibles while haiku tend to be about nature, and senryū are often cynical or darkly humorous while haiku are more serious. Unlike haiku, senryū do not include a kireji (cutting word), and do not generally include a kigo, or season word.
Death of a daughter
in the mother unit’s mind
Disowned forever
A plot against her
By child’s words of craziness
Left broken hearted
Silence is golden.
Not a word has been spoken
Ignorance is bliss.
The daughter is free.
By thoughts of the unit’s death
Alive without her
Four senryu poem of darks.
Copyright © 2007 by Fluffy von der Flynn. All rights reserved.
Repeat after me:
If you would, we would love too!
Our truth depends on you.
Through a twelvth floor view,
clouds passed by my work window:
Fluffy, white cumulous ones.
Interconnected
energy filled my whole chest
as I continued my desk work.
Three samples of senryu.
Copyright © 2007 by Fluffy von der Flynn. All rights reserved.
Night eyes in the sky
looked from our upstairs window
as clouds passes by…
Another attempt at senryu…
Note: The attached photo was taken at night on 09-June-2005. I saw some clouds passing by though the upstairs window and decided to take a snapshot with my camera phone. As expressed in my previous blogs, I report whatever I believe is real to me. The photo has not been altered.
Copyright © 2007 by Fluffy von der Flynn. All rights reserved.
I. Past
Mom’s tearful words flowed.
Her pride and happiness mixed.
She hugged and thanked me.
II. Present
Mom’s faith is with God.
Her prayers are from the heart.
She loves her children.
III. Future
Mom’s dreams will unfold.
Her efforts will not be lost.
She will not forget.
First attempt at senryu (with three different tenses)…
Copyright © 2007 by Fluffy von der Flynn. All rights reserved.