Haiku is a centuries-old form of Japanese poetry that uses just a few words to capture the essence of its subject. Forests, jungles, and oceans have been subjects traditionally used by haiku poets, and for good reason: they are all inspiring natural phenomena.

seashore haiku combines both a love of the ocean and haiku’s inherent ability to portray themes of nature. For example, check out this author’s seaside haiku:

Early autumn morning —

only footprints

On the beach

Notice how the mood or setting of this poem is set in the first line. Here we know what time of year it is. We also know the time of day. Now, from this macro point of view something micro emerges, something in particular… the description of footprints on the beach. Together, this haiku poem creates something called absolute metaphor. We take a look or feel the time of year, then we focus on something very specific. Read as a complete poem, the mind must leap from “autumn morning” to “footprints on the beach.”

Haiku pulls this off brilliantly! And in Few words. A remarkable combination between economy and meaning; like nature itself!

Here’s another seaside haiku:

Hot June day –

an otter

underpants in the sea

The thing about haiku is that if it’s done right, it’s supposed to put you into a trance state. That is, the “aha” moment, or “ah” moment, as I like to call it, comes from the juxtaposition between line 1 and lines 2 and 3. This is not a koan (a question with no real answer) but a series of images. that creates a snapshot of a feeling or mood for the reader.

These short poems are a perfect match to describe a scene from nature.