A collection of senryu, which I've mostly published on Twitter (@haikuinen) in response to various poetry promts. My heartfelt thanks go to the lovely people who take the time to provide these prompts - it's a wonderful resource!
---
googled my symptoms
it was as bad as I thought
I died ten years ago
---
a digital watch
makes an osteopath tick?
you're winding me up!
---
whatever you do
never say never again
never
---
existentialist
walks into a bar
if he wants to
---
an absurdist
walks into a bar
of soap
---
situationist
doesn't walk anywhere but
is found in a bar
---
a rationalist
walks into a bar
for a drink
---
an idealist
walks into a bar
for a free drink
---
a denialist
walks into a bar
for a swim
---
a high speed chase
cigar smoke drifts in the breeze
the scent at its heels
---
procrastinating
which side is the grass greener
I am on the fence
---
tears running freely
life's neverending trials
fresh cut onions
---
he sparkles
I seethe
with intent
---
a flash punk rocker
green hair the base of belief
head like lemongrass
---
nautical map thrill -
an undiscovered atoll
or a teacup stain?
(inspired by Edward Taylor's
"The Men from the Ministry")
---
the man in the moon
stuffs his face with claret
turnip and carrot
(inspired by an old ballad -
"The Man in the Moon drinks Claret,
With Powder-beef, Turnip and Carret"...)
---
a base jumper
IQ of lemongrass
courage of lion
---
when everything
gets too silly to take in;
cat videos!
---
a mystery - whose
favourite tea is assam
reversed into mug
(a Formula One racing themed puzzle)
---
enigmatic sight
a lady with two faces
somehow both her own
---
gone is the ache
dark clouds shifted by a herb
a nice cup of tea
---
rapid pace
did I leave the oven on?
sudden halt
---
offend a cretin
and you'll waste your time
price was paid at birth
---
she likes coming in
from a run - so she likes
the not running part
---
a fleeting glimpse
between earlier and now
will soon be gone
---
blackbirds and coffee
a trusted morning routine
just one ingested
---
if to play golf
is to destroy a good walk
what is backgammon
---
edge of the cliff
last friend on earth with back turned
to push or not to?
---
a stolen moment -
anyone know a good fence?
for it was wasted
---
climb that cliff
tame the unconquerable
fence with the devil
---
shake the world today
grab it, wake it, challenge it
then give it me back
---
metal artist's tool
working on church sculpture
an angel grinder
---
quantum histories
separate chronologies
particular maze
(Sciku - a science themed haiku/senryu)
---
the monarch won't have
what I wouldn't give to be
Sting for a day
---
campanology
giving it up, time for
ringing the changes
---
even Stevens
couldn't shake it open
old green door
---
the heartless sun has
come to destroy icicles
of my conscience
---
finishing haiku
endings are overrated
why need
---
slippery sidewalk
a routine operation
sand or surgery?
---
a routine journey
wrapped in an enigma
how did I get here
---
waves hound the cave
until rock face falls apart
mighty ocean wins
---
it's groundhog day
seven syllables go here
seven syllables go here
---
Trump and Putin calamity
untypical nut trip, madam
duly can't input imam trap
(each line of this senryu is an anagram)
---
duvet day needed
proceed straight to a good book
do not pass go
---
on the one hand...
yet when it comes to the core
I'm ambidextrous
---
bad astronomer
wonders whether the moon is
sun with its core out
---
a right posh mailbox!
your webmail quota has been
transcended
---
Friday's sunbeam
a free pass to high spirits
no need for spirits
---
impossible sight
the sea rises from the moon
handstand completed
---
trial by ice
more rain on snowy ground
slipping and sliding
---
returning from sea
the sailor cleans his kitchen
another fine mess
---
the grey sea
magically painted blue
optimist's eye
---
on a window sill
light through the darkest winter
four candles
(inspired by the Two Ronnies)
---
on a window sill
wait for assembly and dig
fork handles
(inspired by the Two Ronnies)
---
dancing on the air
familiar low floral tones
silent wireless
(a tribute to Terry Wogan)
---
muffin dilemma
chocolate or blueberry
risky decisions
---
screaming spring sun
winter gloom's antidote
no mere placebo
---
another day gone
the fire pit of winter
ate it up
---
sail the breezy wind
white waters to edge of earth
fire burning bright
---
wren in the window
trying to write a haiku
trick of reflection?
---
one day I shall learn
nothing urgent will nestle
in the spam folder
---
mysteries of life
sometimes need considering
the fridge light!
---
miettikää joskus
suuria mysteerejä
jääkaapin valo
(=the previous senryu in Finnish)
---
