February is National Haiku Month. There is a month for everything, I guess. I’ve never been much for writing haikus. I was intimidated by the 5—7 – 5 restriction: three lines – the first with five syllables then seven and finally five in the last line. I didn’t tackle them. Our Writers’ Forum has a haiku contest each year. We have some natural haiku artists. Haikus spill from their brains seemingly without effort.

I decided to try it this year. Now I’m writing haikus in my head as I walk each day. I walk in the natural environment of a nature preserve or a town park, sometimes just around the neighborhood, as I practice the 5 – 7 – 5 mantra.  Traditionally haikus are written about nature. I found myself composing more about human nature. These are a few I came up with. I didn’t submit any of these for the contest, saving that until February 22.

Soft lips spoke lies as
Crystal drops rained from her eyes
In thorny goodbye.

His side undisturbed
Grief o’er flows her hollowed heart
Their bed as witness

Bodies in congress
Rhythmic movements of urgent
Longing and loving

Sunrise unwraps bright
Spires dressed in layered colors
Grand Canyon morning

I’m still wrestling with one that I cannot make fit the haiku scheme.  Any ideas?

A nun’s story                                  4
Nineteen to thirty                            5
Lost in hopeless addiction             7
Found change of habit                   5