We respond to a CDHK episode by revisiting Basho’s old pond to see if his famous frog honors the haiku/senryu distinction. It does not. With all due respect to the Haiku Society of America, neither do I.
(BTW, the [Menu] button atop the vertical black bar reveals the widgets.)
Before responding to the CDHK episode
Carpe Diem Universal Jane #14 Basho’s “Old Pond”
I want to display my favorite translations of Basho’s famous “Old Pond” haiku.
© Jane Reichhold
an old pond
a frog jumps into
the sound of water
an old pond
a frog jumps into
the sound of water
© Harry Behn
An old silent pond…
A frog jumps into the pond,
splash! Silence again.
An old silent pond…
A frog jumps into the pond,
splash! Silence again.
Basho’s haiku illustrates why I respectfully disagree with the Haiku Society of America’s definitions of the words [haiku] and [senryu]. So does my haiku in response to this episode. Yes, “haiku” (not “senryu”) is what I said.
Old Pond Revisited
Basho’s frog can jump
over lines drawn in the mud.
Haiku? Senryu?
Mellow Curmudgeon 
Wizardry. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLike
The endless debate 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😉
LikeLike
The whole idea of ‘official definitions’ is a bit off putting. It’s one thing to say ‘let’s all do this’or let’s all do that but another to say ‘this is this’ and ‘that is that’….
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not Always easy to see the difference between senryu and haiku. This is a nice beauty by the way. Jane Reichhold wrote a nice article about senryu and haiku. You can find that article at: http://www.ahapoetry.com/AHI%20apple%20art.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or this article also by Jane Reichhold: http://www.ahapoetry.com/AHI%20senryu%20art.html
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for both links. If I do write a post on why the distinction between haiku and senryu has become unhealthy nowadays, I will cite Jane’s essays with enthusiasm. Will need to read them more carefully to decide whether there is much that I can add.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Meh. I’m far too laid back or lazy to pigeon hole haiku poetry. It’s more fun to just write the poems. I thought your Basho frog haiku was fun, and you were clever in writing it in such a way that it could either be defined as a senryu or a haiku.
LikeLiked by 1 person