Haiku (or hokku) is an ancient form of Japanese poetry which was originally a word game and consisted of five lines: 5-7-5-7-7 syllables. Matsuo Basho, who lived in the second half of the 17th century, was the most famous poet using this form. It used to be necessary that the poet incorporate some mention of the season, or words suggesting spring, summer, fall, or winter. More modern is the form of three lines with 5-7-5 syllables.
Here is one old haiku by Issa, a follower of Basho:
My hut in spring.
There is nothing in it.
There is everything.
-Sent by Ruth Piwonka
Cherry-blossom-time:
Basenjis lie in the sun....
Rub the warm bellies!
-Rea Conley
Basenjis stealing:
Ballpoints, undies, all things. Then
Upchucks on the bed!
-Jean Skaggs
Little red terror
Sneaking around, what a thief
Eyes so innocent.
-Kathy Barrett
Little Ba-sen-ji
Smiling sweetly, wagging tail
Hey, where's my bagel?
-Rick Bardine
Immobile in bed
Miserable in winter
Happiest in sun.
Grace in red dog form,
Sturdy tricolored "best boy".
How'd we live before?
-both by Laura Whitney
Snark, 'senjis tumble
Flying books, bookcase and I
Pick up while they sleep.
-Louise Butler
Basenji racer
small furry blurry whirlwind
smiling Butt biter.
-(don't know author)
Dirty little feet.
Wading and splashing in mud.
Clean floor, not any more.
-Jane Eaton
Eyes all-seeing shine
Seeing napkins, Kleenex, all
Mine, all of it--Mine!
-Betsy Polglase
Basenji prancing
Dancing circus pony stunts
All to get a treat.
Basenji sniffing
Holding for the ideal spot
FINALLY she 'goes.'
-Maryann Rapp
Lord of the household
Oh is that ice cream, please, please!?
What, me eat dog food?
-Susan Schwarten
She has the sweetest
Voice around for yodeling
Our girl champion.
Red flash, black flash run
Run run trample Mummy then
Off for some more fun.
-Jean Haig
Silken ears aloft
Spirit spun of finest gold
Breath of the angels
-Karen Stotka
Many shredded things
Strewn about the living room
We were gone too long!
-Mark Stotka
Little brown-eyed girl,
Devil, Angel - hopefully
Will live forever.
-Millie Lindblad
Lovely Basenji
She steals my heart
with each glance
Fly fast my sweet girl.
Basenji revels
Spring brings colors beautiful
Through green she runs wild.
-Terry Westberg
Red and white fur flies
Where did my underwear go?
Sneaky little thief.
Baby Basenjis
How precious they are to me
Running to their Mom!
My precious sweeties
Here they come just a-running
Jumping for their treats!
-Gwen Brown
Fast like the wind she
Runs, jumps, leaps, whirls,
dancing.
HEY that's my sun spot!
Kizzy B- you are
Extraordinary cuddler
Come and hug my heart.
-Kirsty Johnson
Lets try a official one I call this the "shower Haiku" because
I composed it in the shower ...
Spring has brought the rain.
Oh pathetic little dog.
Sitting on the porch.
Sadly stares into the yard.
Sigh.....when will the sun
return?
-Kathy Barrett
Eager breakfast time.
Time to check out all food bowls.
Musical food bowls.
Sun running small dog
Stops to gaze at soaring hawk.
I can't bark either.
Yesterday's ice bridge
Has vanished in the spring sun
And my paw is wet.
-Ruth Piwonka