Ku Contemplator

by Terri L. French and Raymond French

(sung to the tune of Sade’s song, “Smooth Operator”)

Quiet night, peaceful boy

Left the rat race, came to this place for maximum joy

No city lights disturb the night

With pen in hand no real plan of what to write

He’s just a beginner, a sensitive heart

He cannot sing or dance

But, his senses awaken and there is a spark

It’s the first draft

He’s a ku contemplator

ku contemplator

Haiku contemplator

Bashō, Issa, Shiki, and Buson

write of frogs and fleas

Buck Teeth, Mido, Kuro, and Shiro

Master Cup of Tea

Write and erase then add a space

Let aha moments come to you

No need to chase

In silence they come

In dreams they unfold

Kireji, karumi, and kigo

Melt in your heart, burn in your soul

If you are a ku contemplator

ku contemplator

Haiku contemplator

Haibun, tanka, renga, and haiga

Senryu too

If Michael Dylan Welch hears a 5-7-5

He’ll spew

Because he is a ku contemplator

ku contemplator

Haiku contemplator

Previously unpublished. The worldwide premier for this song took place on 13 October 2012 at the Seabeck Haiku Getaway in Seabeck, Washington, shown in the photo. Terri sang the vocals and Raymond played a killer air sax.