Zen and the Art of Mortgage Haiku (2 of 17)

This is the 2nd of 17 entries I've written for the "Mortgage Creative Writing Challenge".

The traditional Japanese Haiku format follows the syllable pattern of 5 - 7 - 5.
The writer might bring in a word or concept (kiga) that evokes memories of a particular season.
The last line is usually in sharp contrast (caesura) to the body of the poem.

I chose to backdrop each poem with a traditional Japanese watercolor or photograph. Some in contrast, others not.

To the Haiku purist the following might not be proper in the strict sense. Your latitude is appreciated.

Mortgage Haiku #2

Why 17? It is the total number of syllables in a Haiku, no other reason.
Why separate them? Each one should be read and engaged individually.

You can find my whole series here: Mortgage Haiku

Posted Tuesday Mar 18

(03/18/08 07:15PM) — Portland Oregon Real Estate Broker * Jennifer Bukaty *

Oooh... another nice one Mike! I'm actually hooked by the drip by drip anticipation you've woven into your presentation. You should be posting these to Localism.....

(03/18/08 07:43PM) — Marc Grossman, GRI - Central Florida Real Estate Specialist

Mike, won't deny that I like your Haiku's.

(03/18/08 08:41PM) — Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach Real Estate)

Is the section in italics, the actual definition of a Haiku? I'm confused.

(03/18/08 08:58PM) — Mike Mueller

Jennifer - Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Marc - You are much too kind.

Lisa - There are many definitions. The italics might best be described as the Americanized version of the Japanese style. In the end there is no right or wrong, there just is.

In this instance I came close by bringing in the remembrance of a luxury cruise from the past. To me that spoke of summer which would qualify for the kiga . In others I just couldn't make it happen, so there are no invocations of seasons. Does that make sense? There are no hard and fast rules. It's what pleases you.

One of my favorites (especially in light of yesterday) ...