haikuDear secret haiku writer,

April is national poetry month. Since 2010, I’ve been inviting a friend or two, or more, to write a poem a day in April of each year. The only dictate we’ve had – and somewhat loosely kept – is that the poem doesn’t have to be good, it just has to be contributed.

Whether tongue-in-cheek, unfinished, nonsense rhyme, uninspired or brilliant… any and all are welcome and it’s the effort that is valued. Though you get admired when you’re good, it’s sometimes the lessor efforts that get you to that.

It’s surprising, in fact, how many times an inspired poem comes as a result of simply making the effort consistently. Most years, my oldest son has participated, with rest of the group being different friends each year. I limit the group to 5 or six people; sometimes it’s been 2 or 3, and twice I decided to just do it solo, writing for specific personal reasons.

One year, I invited only people who never write poems and it was pretty wonderful what each ended up with at the end of 30 days. Another year the group included a 10-year old whose poems often reminded us what poetry really is. In one group, there was an award-winning poet who stayed anonymous, using their first name only.

We don’t usually have themes or designated styles but this month, because a friend was talking to me about a haiku class she was taking, I decided on a haiku theme. My son, Shane, (a gifted poet, actually) and his son, Keenan, (who looks to be an excellent poet, as well) joined in. Just we three, and what a wonderful family thing to do! I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before.

The most interesting thing I’ve learned from writing a-poem-a-day-for-30-days over these 11 years is that doing something creative every day has one truly amazing result. Even when it’s done for only just a few minutes a day, even if done poorly and with little inspiration, something wonderful happens.

It creates miracles in other areas of your life.

It primes the pump, so to speak. It gets creative energy going in all areas of your life. Things start to happen. You may not become a poet laureate, but you might get that job or healing or new friend you’ve been wanting. As I said, it’s consistently amazing how that happens.

It creates an energy that interacts with your intentions and dreams and serendipity to create multiple miracles in your life.

This is a very fine thing to know. And a very fine thing to do. So as April 2021 winds down, I want to share three of the haiku that we wrote this month, one from each of us. After reading them, you might enjoy writing one yourself in the three-line, 17 syllables, 5, 7, 5 pattern. It’s great fun, and (warning) somewhat addictive. And if you do get addicted, watch out for miracles!

Radiant dawn comes
Inspires poets’ fervor
Brings new beginnings
Keenan K.

When the clouds all fall
And meet with the rising fog
There you will find me

Where the setting sun
Seems to sink in oceans depth
and boil grey away

When the earth trembles
And mountains burst into flame
Like dragons of lore

In moments of awe
Of wondrous discovery
There you will find me
Shane K.

Look at your own face
There’s nothing more to search for
No Buddha elsewhere
Ma HuLiLi

Next year maybe I’ll announce it here on the blog in March and have an April poetry fest with the first five or so readers that reply. That would be great fun! For now, though, give haiku a try, or do a month of one-song dances each morning, or sing or tone a little each day, or connect with your guides and muses for a message a day from them. The only rule is have fun, keep expectations playful, and be as consistent as possible, even when uninspired.

Remember, enlivened energy for your life is the goal, not great art. You’ll love what happens.

Loving life’s mystery
X♥️Ma HuLiLi

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