Fun With Haiku: Starter Lines That Kill It

I have been encouraging my teen clients to try poetry for therapeutic self-expression. As a former high school English teacher, I find teaching young minds the basic mechanics of haiku to be both easy and fun. Essentially write down: 3 lines that go 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables and involve a reference to nature or two disparate concepts that have an interesting relationship.

The last time I made a haiku, I was playing Cards Against Humanity. The "Happy Ending Rule" requires players to "draw two, pick three, make a haiku" to determine the winner. Trust me when I say this rule has led to some epic poet-making.

To help my teen clients out, I gave them some haiku starter lines. Basically just some free-flowing inspiration to help get them going or keep them moving. What they came up with is so fun and enlightening, I decided to share the starter lines here. Try making your own haiku out using some of these:

Five Syllables

My favorite ice cream	My mother’s right eye	A funnier thing	This stupid poem	Old Spice shower gel
Everywhere I look	I still feel that way	I’m flying away	Now I feel guilty	Some people are trees

Seven Syllables
 

Taking slow the long way home	Filling up my car with gas	My heart is sick with worry	Native born sons and daughters	Little Japanese poems
Shut up your face you old hag	Olive branches remind me	Like sand drifting on the beach	As much as I care to say	And no one will ever know

Five Syllables
 

How much I love you	My worst memory	Yeah, Thanks, Obama	And I ran away	Because I don’t care
Everything I am	Spirit of friendship	I’m losing my mind	Today I begin	I am a poet

Machine

We are machine
Our interchangeable moving parts
doing their routine
Rhythm rattle and steam
I gasp
You scream

Interdependence is efficient
Cog and wheel
Tongue in Groove
Together we work
We move

We make grinding machine noise
Therein we find purpose
and joys

Somebody Has Keys To My House

Somebody has keys to my house.
It wasn't me and it wasn't my spouse.
I don't know who it is, but I can tell he was here.
Because he left clues, but the clues are unclear.
And I don't appreciate it; not one little bit.
It's been going on all week and I sick of this shit.
On Monday, while I was at work, somebody raided the 'fridge.
Eating pork chops with ketchup, that son of a bitch.
When I saw the leftover macaroni and cheese
I checked the back lock and re-hid my spare keys.
That's when I discovered what was left behind.
Dirty plates on the table left for me to find.
And then, on Tuesday, I went to the gym,
(I go twice a week to stay fit and trim)
Somebody came in an put on my clothes.
Dunno why, just weird, I suppose.
Then the somebody left my clothes wrinkled and stained
In a pile in my hallway. Mysterious, unexplained.
Then, on Wednesday, I got home from the store,
My mail had been opened, but wait there is more.
I'm beginning to suspect an identity thief
I talked to the cops, but they just gave me grief.
And today, Thursday, I came home in suspense.
Wondering if I might find more evidence.
And there it was on the bowl of potty.
Brown spatters, disgusting, all hardened and spotty.
"That's it! I'm done!" I shouted and cursed.
Dishes and clothes, but this is the worst.
So Friday I'll stay home and call in to work.
That way I'll be sure to catch the jerk.
I'll surprise and trap him and bind him with rope.
And force him to get out my bucket and soap.
And then, by God, he will confess.
As finally, at last, he cleans his own mess.

Prayer for Facing Tough Choices

 

Holy One, Nurturing Creator, Ever-loving God:

You designed me with a purpose;

Guide me as I strive to understand what it is.

You endowed me with talents and abilities;

Help me recognize opportunities to use them wisely.

You provide for my every need;

Remind me to share what I have.

When I am faced with daunting complications...

When I am overwhelmed by tasks...

When I am uncertain of the way...

Send your Holy Spirit to deliver your calm

Strengthen my fortitude

Boost my confidence

And above all

Restore my faith in you, my God.

With your wisdom,

I will make sound decisions.

With your encouragement,

I will bring order to chaos.

With your support,

I will learn and grow.

We will work together to continue unfolding your perfect Creation in the world.

Easy Now

Shush mi corazón

No need for tears

Compose yourself, little me

Because how you are today

Isn’t how you’re always going to be

You feel disintegrated

And the sharpness of your fears

The acidity of consequences

Both ephemeral and fleeting

You are not undone

Rather, only just begun

You are just now learning

Strengths and limitations

Your heart’s desire and heart’s lament

Sophomorically proclaiming what you know

And don’t know yet

You’ll get there one day, but for now

Just wait.

Slow down; no hurry

The dreams you dream up are to be enjoyed

It’s sweet to dream

But dreams are rightfully forgotten

And achieved in their own time

Sounds contrary, yet both are true

Try not to worry

It doesn’t serve you well

Put aside insecurities for now

They are like weeds blocking out your sun

Let me take care of that for you

Little one

Easy now

Take it easy on yourself

Baby steps and life in small chunks

You get there soon enough

But for now, try to just rest

Easy now