Hi everyone! Happy Haiku Friday!
Zen and Noise are this week’s prompt words chosen by Ronovan Hester of Ronovan Writes.
Ron hosts a challenge that anyone could participate in called Ronovan Writes Weekly Haiku Poetry Prompt Challenge every Monday, and you have until Sunday to create a post featuring your haiku poem. He is an author and poet and also does author interviews and much more on his blog. Be sure to check it out. Read Ron’s Haiku Prompt Challenge Guidelines for more information.
I struggled with this week’s prompt words, especially the word “Zen”. I tried to look for a synonym but it doesn’t have one (what?). Needless to say, I had to go way outside the box for this one. I looked up the definition for zen to find some inspiration and this is what I found.
Zen: Chinese Ch’an. Buddhism. A Mahayana movement, introduced into China in the 6th century a.d. and into Japan in the 12th century, that emphasizes enlightenment for the student by the most direct possible means, accepting formal studies and observances only when they form part of such means.
↑ The above definition might as well have been written in Mandarin or Japanese. ↑
Then the chaps at Cambridge gave me a simpler definition.
Zen: a religion that is a form of Buddhism developed in Japan. What is zen: relaxed and not worrying about things that you cannot change.
That was easier to understand, but I still found it challenging to come up with a poem with these words. So, I pretended to be a Buddhist Monk, while writing this poem and came up with a Tanka. I hope you like it.
I leap the world’s ties
And sit among the white clouds
To hear the earth’s noise
without my usual armor
coming ‘tween me and nature
(‘I leap the world’s ties, And sit among the white clouds’ = relaxed, not worrying = Zen)
(‘To hear the earth’s noise without my usual armor coming ‘tween me and nature’= enlightenment = Zen)
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Enjoy your Friday and weekend!
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I love the haiku this week! I totally needed a Zen moment after the stress of life kicked me a couple times recently and your words are uplifting in that regard, thank you! 😀
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Hi Kester! I’m sorry about the stressful moments you’ve been through, but I’m happy the poem gave you a little peace. I hope things are better now, but if not, I hope they get better real soon. I’m here if you need to talk.❤️💖❤️
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Thank you, V! 😀 It’s better now, just getting through some crazy adulting lol.
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Ugh! Adulting can be a real bore, but we all have to get things done. I’m a big kid at heart too. ❤
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Reblogged this on The Angry Scribbler and commented:
Another great haiku offering from our dear friend Vashti! I think we could all use a moment of peaceful reflection. 🙂
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Thanks for reblogging!😀
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I love that you created Zen for us, without using the word directly. Clever! Most clever. AND I love the kitty.
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Thank you, Annette! It was a struggle. Ha, ha! I’m glad you liked what I came up with. That kitty is so cute!😃💕
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Good one, Vashti
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Happy you like it, John!💕
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A wonderful thought, taking it all in from up above. Sounds peaceful.
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Once we calm our minds and let go all those annoying things that nag us 24 hours a day, it can become very peaceful; at least for a little while.😊
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…and a little while is better than not at all😊
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Very nice, Vashti!
I’ve been to Zen: Peace! No Noise!
Did not want to leave!
♥♥♥
SMILE!
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It sounds like a wonderful place to be, Billy Ray. I don’t blame you for wanting to stay. Thanks for the smile.😁💕
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I love how you researched and came up with this beautiful interpretation! There are times when we all long to sit among the clouds and be with nature! Perfect way to head into the weekend:)
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Hi Denise! I think it’s difficult to quiet a writer’s mind, but we do need that peace sometimes. Thank you. I actually enjoy research and learning new things, so it was a bit of fun. I’m glad you liked the poem.❤️
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Oh, I LOVE this poem! And, the image is perfect. ♥
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Yay! I’m happy you enjoyed the poem, Gwen! Thank you! I thought that zen symbol with the cat was adorable. I had to share it.😊💕
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Interesting how you came up with such a meaningful Tanka! I follow a Zen mama blog, which explains this term so well and gives Zen tips too 🙂 here is the link:
http://www.zen-mama.com/what-is-a-zen-mama/
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That means a lot coming from you, Balroop. Thank you. And I appreciate the link. I will definitely check it out, my friend.😊💕
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Balroop, I checked out the blog and I love it. Thank you! ❤
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To construct a poem with zen is really difficult!I appreciate your work!
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Oh, thank you very much! I’m glad you appreciated it.😊
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wow – this is impressive and creative – your created a motivational tool…
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Aw, thank you, Mino. 😀 xx
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Well done Vashti. That was a bit of a toughie but you made a beautiful and calming Haiku just the same. ❤
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Thank you, Debby! I certainly tried. 😉 ❤ xx
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Well done! ❤
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Vashti, I absolutely adore this piece. It’s my favourite thus far. So soothing and tranquil. Thank you for sharing this treasure. XO
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That’s wonderful, Natalie! Thank you. I’m so happy you liked it. ❤ xx
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Well done, Vashti! 🙂
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Thank you, Bette! 😀
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