Posted by: Victoria on: 2009/08/26
I love language, especially the English language. While it can be difficult to learn, I find it rich in rewards. My favourite reward is the playfulness it can inspire.
Other cultures also like to play with their languages. The Japanese have a poetic style known as “haiku”. This short, structure poem form requires three lines with specific syllable counts (five syllables, seven syllables, five syllables). For example:
Haiku poetry
Quite deceptively simple
Syllables fight back
Local accents can add (or delete) syllables, so I find myself counting on my fingers as I slowly say the words.
Many share love of the haiku. Let me introduce you to my favourite: Haiku Ewe. The brainchild of Big Al, the Gal, Haiku Ewe describes her life and activities using only the haiku form. I think she and her creator are brilliant.
Check them out if you have a chance: www.haikuewe.com or www.gocomics.com/haikuewe.
