By
Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Eight women attended our 2 hour SJF Communications Haiku workshop ‘Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku’ on January 18th, 2020 at the Poway Community Library.
We began with an interactive fun ‘ice-breaker’ – getting to know each other a bit more. Next, after introductions and a review of my work with poetry, I taught my Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared several of my nature photography and other photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. Everyone practiced writing Haiku and finally we had the opportunity to share our work. It was a delightful time with such a lovely group of creative empowered women!
Here’s a glimpse of our enlightened attendees along with photo prompts and written Haiku from that day! I also contributed a few!
(Back Row): Grace, Karen, Karla, Ninon, Laurie and Cheran; (Front Row): Kathy and Xochih.
Photo by Susan J. Farese
Water tumbles down
forest leaves reach for the ground
a cool pool, respite.
-Karen
Waterfall rushing
thundering sound breaks silence
in awe of nature
-Cheran
Photo by Susan J. Farese
A bench welcomes me-
have a seat and rest yourself
just breathe in and out
-Cheran
A bench beckons you
verdant grass and flowing
rest and contemplate
-Karen
Our summer is gone
and no one is sitting here
on the lonely bench
And in Japanese:
私たちの夏は去りました
そして誰もここに座っていません
孤独なベンチで
Watashitachi no natsu wa sarimashita soshite dare mo koko ni suwatte imasen kodokuna benchi de
-Grace
Photo by Susan J. Farese
A long day has passed
amidst the busy hustle
the bright moon greets me
-Karen
When I’m coming home
showing the same shape as moon
the yellow signal!
And in Japanese
家に帰るとき
月と同じ形を示す
黄色の信号！
Ie ni kaeru toki tsuki to onaji katachi o shimesu kiiro no shingō!
-Grace
All of a sudden
moon rose, traffic light yellow-
serendipity!
-Susan
Photo by Susan J. Farese
Little hummer sits
head bent prayerfully drinking-
a blessed moment!
-Cheran
Photo by Susan J. Farese
Earth and ocean meet
waves crash and rocks tumble down
the clouds bear witness
-Karen
Photo by Susan J. Farese
The water glistened
fanned plumage captivating!
Great White Egret soared!
-Susan
Legs stretched, beak pointed
wings forming mushroom bellows
ready to take flight
-Cheran
Very beautiful
the open wings are such fun
The Great White Egret
And in Japanese:
非常に美しい
開いた翼はとても楽しい
白eg鳥
Hijō ni utsukushī aita tsubasa wa totemo tanoshī shiro eg tori
-Grace
Photo Credit: Unknown
Crimson foliage
flutters from the azure sky
float on silent lakes.
-Karen
Beautiful red leaves
showing us their reflection
on an Autumn lake
And in Japanese:
美しい紅葉
彼らの反射を見せて
秋の湖で
Utsukushī kōyō karera no hansha o misete akinoumi de
-Grace
Photo by Susan J. Farese
Birds stop for a chat
beaks greeting in warm friendship
Oh glorious morn!
Photo by Susan J. Farese
Beginning right now
feeling earth beneath my feet
starting my journey
-Karla
Photo by Susan J. Farese
Jagged rocky edge
salty waves roll in and out
cares ride on the waves
-Karla
The waves foaming white
rocks sure of their position
jutting out to sea
-Cheran
The Oceans spirit
awakens my soul and heart-
quiets my deep pain
-Laurie
Rigid and solid
stone is no match for water-
time transforms all things
-Ninon
photo by Susan J. Farese
Purple flowers stand
along the desert valley
embracing simple
-Karla
Fields of purple blooms
swaying gently in the breeze
Mother Earth awakes!
-Ninon
Photo credit: Unknown
Snow, ice and water
winter chill invigorates
the body and soul
-Ninon
Photo by Susan J. Farese
A Spring desert hike
path, date palms, oasis pond
delightful surprise!
-Susan