the deepening ground

Having missed International Haiku Poetry Day, let me leave you with this three haiku sampler from David M. Bader’s book Haiku U: From Aristotle to Zola, 100 Great Books in 17 Syllables as today’s selection for National Poetry Month. As Bader himself notes in his humorous foreword, “Deciding which books to include was difficult, as there were so many worthy candidates. In the end, selections were made on the basis of a scientific formula that took into consideration historical importance, originality, weight (in hardcover), and impact on the reader (both as a book and as a sedative.)” However, I doubt you will find these three gems soporific. Here, Bader gives us Homer’s The Iliad, Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, and the anonymous Beowulf in three bite-sized seventeen-syllable pieces. If imitation is the highest form of flattery, then both the Japanese poets and original authors are both deeply honored here. 🙂

from Haiku U: From Aristotle to Zola by David M. Bader

Homer - The Iliad
Sing, Goddess, of how
        brooding Achilles' mood swings
                caused him to act out.

Jane Austen - Pride & Prejudice
Single white lass seeks
        landed gent for marriage, whist.
                No parsons, thank you.

Beowulf
Hrothgar's hall,        haunted.
        Dauntless Danes die,        Grendel-gored.
                Why not     hrelocate?

Source: Haiku U: From Aristotle to Zola, 100 Great Books in 17 Syllables (Gotham Books, 2005)