Do You Want to Write a Haiku?

by Michael Dylan Welch

To be sung, somewhat loosely, to the tune “Do You Want to Build a Snowman,” from the movie Frozen. First performed on 3 October 2015 at the Seabeck Haiku Getaway talent show, at which one does not need to demonstrate any actual talent.

Do you want to write a haiku?

Grab your kigo and let’s play!

Just have some imagery

and kireji

and have something to say.

Do you want to write a haiku?

Grab your notebook and let’s go.

Nothing extraneous

Be spontaneous

Except in yellow snow.

             We used to go to kukai

             And now we don’t

             I wish you would tell me why!

Do you want to write a haiku?

Win a contest now and then?

No need for syllables

Just be full

of juxtaposition.

Do you want to write a haiku?

Experiment with something new?

Even I could try

some gendai

and break a rule or two!

            We used to go to kukai

            And now we don’t

            I wish you would tell me why!

Do you want to write a haiku?

In Seabeck or Timbuktu?

Just take the influence

of experience

but watch out for déjà-ku.

Do you want to write a haiku?

Don’t give out another sigh!

Just learn from Bashō’s pine

with some wine

and publish poems in Mayfly.

            We used to go to kukai

            And now we don’t

            I wish you would tell me why!

Do you want to write a haiku?

If you don’t then I’ll feel blue.

I guess I’ll go away

try another day,

or try my hand at some senryu?

Do you want to write a haiku?

I’m glad you’re over all your flu.

Just read some Chiyo-ni

and you will see

how you can do it too.

            We used to go to kukai

            Now we do again

            and it makes me feel sky high!

Do you want to write a haiku?

Grab your kigo and let’s play.

Just have some imagery

and kireji

and have something to say!

Yes, you want to write a haiku!