Today begins Ethical ELA’s Open Write for June, and I have the privilege of leading the prompts for the first three days. Here is a link for Day 1’s prompt as well as shared below:
Inspiration
The Hay(na)ku is a 21st century poetic form designed by Eileen R. Tabios, a Filipino-American poet, fiction writer, artist and more. The form, which Tabios first called Filipino Haiku. Eileen describes it in an interesting history of hay(na)ku. Lately I’ve been writing a hay(na)ku each day in my planner after the day, a quick and fun way to recap a memorable event or emotion. I was inspired by Tabios’ Counting Journal described in the history of the hay(na)ku.
Process
Traditionally, Hay(na)ku have:
- 3 lines
- A total of 6 words – 1 in the first, 2 in the second, and 3 in the third
- No syllable, rhythm, or meter constraints.
- You can also write reverse hay(na)kus.
Examples of hay(na)ku:
Fruit
Goes bad
When left forgotten
Water
Clean, brilliant
Entices me in
Entrusted with independence
Children sprout
Wings
Think of a topic and write a collection of hay(na)ku to capture the many aspects of your topic. Choose:
- A season of the year
- A month of the year
- A day of the week
- A holiday or special day in the calendar (Juneteenth, Father’s Day, or whichever day you choose)
- A family member
- A pet
- A particular class at school
- A favorite book or television series
- Any topic you would like to explore
As always, feel free to write in any form or topic you need to and want to write today.
My Example
Signs of Friday
By Denise Krebs
Islam
Jumu’ah Mubarak
Holiest of days
Church
Together again
Only the young
Salmon
Our treat
Once a week
Dessert
Ice cream
Usually ice cream
Reading
And relaxing
On the loveseat
Walk
The neighborhood
If weather’s bearable
Napping
Extra sleep
Like Sunday afternoons
Reading
poems and
commenting–Poetry Friday!
Your Turn
Do you want to try hay(na)ku? Come on over to the Ethical ELA site and join us today. Or add your hay(na)ku in the comments section below.
