Thursday, July 9, 2020

My cats in haiku

I really like writing haiku–it’s a low-pressure, high-observation kind of poetry. Sometimes it’s nice to write something with a little structure, like doing a puzzle or following a recipe. Also, isn’t it interesting how the lines arrange themselves visually? You’d think that the middle line would always look longer, since it has the most syllables, but sometimes it’s the opposite.

Generally I can’t stop at just one haiku. I love poetry but I also love stories, and groups of haiku together can do more than one by itself is meant to.

Haiku are more complicated than they look. I guess you could say the same for cats.

Pippin, our “first-born”

Precious Lady Pip
Anything you have
becomes Pippin’s, too–even
the air while you sleep

None can resist her
Dainty and dignified, she
will command your love

She made herself Queen
simply by believing it
The sink is her throne

Bombadil, our oldest and most giant (as of now)

Bombadil-o
This Bombadil boy
will reject all your kisses
(secretly he purrs)

Stretchy like taffy
half licorice, but half cream
to dull the sharpness

He is a cat who
will bring you to the kitchen
just to watch him eat

Zuko, our feisty youngest

Zuko Baby
Zippity Zuko
came in from the streets, ready
to bug everyone

One minute cuddly,
next ten all spiky nibbles
Too much energy

He will be your friend
if you sit quietly and
let him bite your face

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