Bamboo Haiku

Haiku: a haiku is not just a small poem in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables each. A haiku can be any length, from as few as one to 17 syllables. What distinguishes modern haiku is a modest open mind with a sense of humor, awareness, perception and concision. The haiku is Zen-inspired and remains an art of expressing much and suggesting more in the fewest possible words. Send in your bamboo haiku and we’ll post it!

 

A FEW BAMBOO HAIKU:

stems of bamboo
supple and strongly devout
holding leaves secure


swishing bamboo
in the forest canopy
enjoying cool mist


Filtered sunlight
Leaves of bamboo carried forth
sunbathing fire ants


Tasty stalks of green
bamboo forest leaves rustle
a panda bear dines


pen drawing
with Indian ink
bamboo shoots


rattling hailstones
on the bamboo-covered well
winter checks in


the shakuhachi
played by wandering monks
a murmuring stream


bamboo reflects
an ocean of raindrops
moving stillness


black bamboo at night
rustling during gusts of wind
neglected by owls


between reed sheaths
the river has burst its banks
bamboo bows


blue bamboos
new canes in various shades
from green to mustard


deeply in love
newly-weds on the riverbank
very upright bamboo


the largest leaves
pull the canes downward
a graceful arc


a few subtle canes
ranging from maroon to aqua
filtered light fades


a smooth stalk
with brilliant sounds
five finger holes


weeping bamboo
in it's shooting period
partial shade desired


fleeting shadows
a fountain of leaves
single bamboo


a shady spot
under a bamboo parasol
a margarita


fragrant lavender
dreaming the day away
in a bamboo chair


a grain of sand
is the whole beach
bamboo is the sky


footwear of bamboo
clattering in the morning
monks in the temple


bamboo master
priest of nothingness
the shakuhachi


tufts of bamboo
moving on the wind
charcoal drawing


syncopated flutes
in the foggy bamboo fields
just before dawn


tool to meditation
hear ancient melodies
shakuhachi


bamboo sound
awakening from deep sleep
bright autumn night


echo of music
from a distant bamboo flute
single clear tones


through the bamboo
the voice of a monk
pride and joy


a windy timbre
loud penetrating ring
play flute master play