Sunday Scribblings asks poets to brag about themselves in verse. So here’s my bragging haiku:
I don’t mean to brag,
But I’m proud of the fact that
I’m not a braggart.
Archive for the ‘Haiku & Senryu’ Category
Bragging Rights (Haiku)
Saturday, October 25th, 2008Homonym Verse (Limerick & Haiku Prompt) (Updated)
Friday, October 24th, 2008Today I’ve decided to have some homonym fun and I hope you will too. I’ve written two haiku about meat and a limerick using the word meet. First, my limerick:
Whenever I meet someone new,
I use memory tricks till I’m blue.
But it’s always the same —
I forget ev’ry name
Right away — hope they blank mine out too.
And now my two meat haiku (senryu):
Jews who keep kosher
Have anti-pig-meat bias:
“Don’t reform!” say pigs.
I can’t understand
Those who oppose beef-eating,
Except, perhaps, cows.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write some verse using the homonyms meet and meat, or some other pair of homonyms if you prefer. When you’ve posted your poem(s), please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky.
Update: I added a second haiku, after commenter Stan Ski correctly pointed out that my cow haiku was about meat, but didn’t include the word meat.
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
| 1. Elephant Small 2. Random short stories |
3. The Mane Point 4. Nickers and Ink |
5. kouji (haiku poem blog) |
UPDATE 2: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your homonym verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
I’m a Political Haiku Contest Finalist
Tuesday, October 21st, 2008Cool news! Nearly 4000 people submitted haiku to the McPalin Haiku Hysteria contest held by People For The American Way and The Nation Magazine. And I’m one of the twelve finalists!!! So I’d really appreciate your voting for my haiku here. Thanks! (You can find more about this on my other (political humor) blog.
Twitter Tweet Verse (Limerick & Haiku Prompt)
Friday, October 10th, 2008I sure hope many of you use (or at least are familiar with) Twitter. Because Twitter is today’s limerick and haiku topic. First, my limerick:
Twitter Jitters
By Madeleine Begun Kane
I really don’t mean to sound bitter,
But it’s hard to fit humor on Twitter.
Posting tweets so damn short
Is a challenging sport,
Cuz there’s no time for laughs — just a titter.
And now my Twitter haiku (senryu):
My tweets on Twitter:
Memories, links, mutterings.
Fragments of a life.
As you might have guessed, I use Twitter. If you’d like to, you can follow my Twitter Tweets here.
But now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write some verse about Twitter. When you’ve posted your poem(s), please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky.
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
| 1. Elephant Small | 2. Nickers and Ink | 3. Winnie the poohi |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your verse about Twitter in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
Wall Street Woes (Limerick & Haiku Prompt)
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008We’re in the middle of a financial crisis that affects almost everyone. So I hope you’ll join me in writing limericks and haiku (senryu) about our Wall Street woes. First, my limerick:
I shudder when opening mail,
And my sinking accounts make me wail.
I would sure like to beat
Up those guys on the Street,
But I fear that I can’t afford bail.
And now my haiku (senryu):
Financial vultures
First gobble up our assets,
Then demand dessert.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write some verse about Wall Street woes. When you’ve posted your poem(s), please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have until October 3rd to post it.
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
| 1. Elephant Small 2. 2nd attempt-Random Short Stories 3. sister AE |
4. Bev 5. Bev 6. Nickers and Ink |
7. Just Someone |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your verse about Wall Street woes in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
Not So Artful At Athletics (Limerick & Haiku Prompt)
Sunday, September 7th, 2008When I was in elementary school, I was really bad at two things — art and athletics. Come to think of it, I’m still bad at them. And that leads me to this week’s alternative poetry prompt themes: school and/or things you aren’t good at.
First, a limerick about my art prowess … or lack thereof:
Please do not make me paint. Have a heart!
I was awful at art from the start.
Flunking finger paint’s rare,
But I did it. So there!
Use a house-painting pro and be smart.
And now my unathletic haiku (senryu):
I hope for my name,
As the girls pick their teammates.
Next to last again.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write some verse about school and/or things you aren’t good at. When you’ve posted your poem(s), please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have until September 5th to post it.
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
| 1. Random Short Stories 2. Nickers and Ink 3. The Mane Point |
4. kouji 5. MommyWizdom 6. sister AE |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your verse about school and/or things you aren’t good at in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
Crafty Verse (Limerick & Haiku Prompt)
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008A new limerick, haiku, and senryu prompt (at long last) whose theme is jewelry, crafts, and engagements. First, my limerick:
Engagement Bling
By Madeleine Begun Kane
“I’m engaged,” said the gal to her mom.
“I’m in love and I’m marrying Tom.”
“But I don’t see a ring,”
Said her mom. “Get some bling.
Until then, I intend to stay calm.”
And now my haiku (senryu):
Craft show earrings
Once adorned the riverfront
And now grace my lobes.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write some verse about jewelry, crafts, or engagements. When you’ve posted your poem(s), please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have until September 5th to post it.
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
| 1. Lilibeth 2. Random Short Stories |
3. Crafty Green Poet 4. Linda – Nickers and Ink |
5. Shannon 6. Granny Smith |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your jewelry, crafts, and engagement-related verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
UPDATE 2: National Jewel Day is March 13th.
Vacation Verse (Limerick & Haiku Prompt — through July 31st)
Monday, July 21st, 2008Sorry for the delay, but though my cast is finally off, I’m still having wrist problems.
Today’s limerick, haiku, and senryu theme is vacations. First, my limerick, which was inspired by my husband Mark:
Vacation Verse
By Madeleine Begun Kane
My husband is swimming outdoors.
I expect he’ll be back when it pours,
Which it threatens to do
Ev’ry day, so he’s blue.
Yes, vacations are rain guarantors.
And now my haiku (senryu):
I’m on vacation,
Yet here I am writing verse.
Give it a rest, brain.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write some verse about vacations. When you’ve posted your poem(s), please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have until August 1st to post it.
| 1. Noah 2. Noah 3. Granny Smith 4. Bev 5. Bev |
6. Shark Girl 7. Michelle 8. Linda – Nickers and Ink 9. The Mane Point 10. Beaman’s World |
11. MomCat 12. Random Short Stories 13. Mrs. Brownstone @ XBOX Wife |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your vacation-related verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
Grandma’s Keys Haiku (Senryu)
Sunday, June 15th, 2008Grandma’s key-drawer,
Filled with reminders of a
Life I never knew.
Sleepless In Bayside (Limerick, Haiku, & Senryu Prompt)
Friday, June 6th, 2008Sorry for my late posting. As I mentioned in my last post, I recently broke my wrist.
Today’s limerick, haiku, and senryu theme is sleep and insomnia. First, my limerick:
Sleepless In Bayside
By Madeleine Begun Kane
My husband can catnap at will,
And my jealous reaction is shrill.
My insomnia’s bad —
Just can’t help getting mad,
Cuz his snores can be heard in Brazil.
And now my haiku or senryu:
I watch my husband
Sleep hour after hour.
What is his secret?
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write some verse about sleep and insomnia. When you’ve posted your poem(s), please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have a whole week to post it.
(Note: My poems were inspired by these three prompts: “catnap, “my nights” and “when I watch you.”)
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
| 1. gautami tripathy 2. lissa 3. Granny Smith 4. Crafty Green Poet |
5. Bevie 6. Noah the Great 7. Noah the Great 8. Bevie |
9. Mary’s Madness 10. art predator 11. Connie |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your sleep and insomnia verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
The Poetry Of Dating (Limerick & Haiku Prompt — through June 5th)
Friday, May 23rd, 2008Today’s limerick and haiku theme is dates and dating. First, my limerick:
The gal was enjoying her date
Till her escort became quite irate.
He assaulted a waiter,
Then said, “See ya later.”
I suppose it was something he ate.
And now my dating-related haiku:
His seeing eye dog
Led the man to her table:
A double blind date.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write a limerick or haiku (or both) about dates and dating. When you’ve posted your verse, please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have two weeks to post it.
(Note: My limerick was inspired in part by Sunday Scribblings’ “quitting” prompt.)
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
| 1. Sherry 2. sister AE 3. Crafty Green Poet (Over 40 Shades) 4. Linda – Nickers and Ink |
5. Lilibeth 6. lissa 7. Noah the Great 8. Noah the Great |
9. Granny Smith 10. Connie 11. Bevie 12. Felix Morgenstern |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your dating verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
Threefer Haiku
Friday, May 16th, 2008Impulse purchases
liberate you from your cash,
betray your self-worth.
(Sometimes I like to challenge myself by using several prompts at once, and today’s a threefer: “impulse,” “betrayal,” and “liberation,” all courtesy of Writers Island. And speaking of writing prompts, I’ve just posted a new one whose theme is “warning” and/or “caution.”)
Update: My husband Mark (who seems to be turning into a poet) read my haiku and almost immediately came up with his own. I must confess that I like his better:
That impulse buy —
betrayal of frugality.
Ah … liberation.
This Is A Warning (Limerick & Haiku Prompt)
Friday, May 16th, 2008Today’s limerick and haiku theme is warnings and/or caution. First, my limerick:
Please be careful when closing that door.
If it hits you, you’re bound to be sore.
My hand is still numb
From its catching my thumb,
And I’m thinking of suing this store.
And now my warning-related haiku:
Storm clouds fill the sky
as walkers heed their warning
while birds cheer them on.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write a limerick or haiku (or both) about warnings and/or caution. When you’ve posted your verse, please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have a whole week to post it.
(Note: My limerick was inspired in part by Sunday Scribblings’ “sore” prompt and Inspire Me Thursday’s “door” prompt.)
| 1. Crafty Green Poet 2. Connie 3. Felix Morgenstern 4. gautami tripathy |
5. Noah the Great 6. Lilibeth 7. Moe Lauher 8. Noah the Great |
9. Granny Smith 10. Alan Summers |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your warnings and/or caution verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
Email Hell (Limerick & Haiku Prompt)
Friday, May 9th, 2008Today’s limerick and haiku theme is email and/or spam. First, my limerick:
I’m out of the office right now.
Do I hate answ’ring email? And how!
Missed your missive? I’m glad,
So I won’t say I’m sad.
Pester some other worker-bee. Ciao!
And now my three spam-related haiku:
Suffocating spam
Pours into my computer,
Drowning out meaning.
Virulent spammers
Take over my computer,
Devouring its core.
My email pours in,
The meaningful lost,
Strangled by spam.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write a limerick or haiku (or both) about email and/or spam. When you’ve posted your verse, please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have a whole week to post it.
| 1. Connie 2. Noah the Great |
3. Noah the Great 4. Linda – Nickers and Ink |
5. Felix Morgenstern |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your email-themed verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
Puppy Love (Limerick & Haiku Prompt)
Friday, May 2nd, 2008Today’s limerick and haiku theme is dogs. First, my limerick:
Dear Puppy
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear puppy, how long will it be
Till you learn where it’s kosher to pee?
They said you were bright,
But there’s no end in sight
To your accidents. Please try a tree.
And now my dogs haiku:
She comes between us,
Foiling our would-be embrace.
Dogged chaperone.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write a limerick or haiku (or both) about dogs. When you’ve posted your verse, please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have a whole week to post it.
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
| 1. Connie 2. Crafty Green Poet (Over 40 Shades) 3. Noah the Great |
4. paisley 5. Noah the Great 6. gautami tripathy |
7. jan |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your dog-themed verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
UPDATE 2: Happy National Puppy Day! (March 23rd)
Temper, Temper (Limerick & Haiku Prompt)
Friday, April 25th, 2008Today’s limerick and haiku theme is temper. First, my limerick:
Ode to An Ill-Tempered Felon
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A felonious fellow named Mort
Went to jail cuz his temper was short.
He assaulted a mime,
Committing his crime
(And his tort) with a bottle of Port.
And now my temper haiku:
Losing his temper,
He screamed, cursed, and hurled books.
I guess he found it.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write a limerick or haiku (or both) about temper. When you’ve posted your verse, please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have a whole week to post it.
(Note: You may have noticed that my limerick contains some legal jargon. For more on poems containing specialized jargon, check out Read Write Poem.)
| 1. Connie 2. Linda – Nickers and Ink – Limerick 3. Linda – Nickers and Ink – Haiku |
4. Felix Morgenstern 5. paisley 6. Noah the Great |
7. Noah the Great 8. Tumblewords 9. Rob Kistner |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your temper-themed verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
Healthy Verse (Limerick & Haiku Prompt)
Friday, April 18th, 2008Today’s limerick and haiku theme is health. First, my limerick:
Maladjusted Men
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Maladjusted men sometimes say, “Doc,
Chiropractic is naught but a crock.
Your adjustments don’t work,
You’re a sick, spineless jerk,
And I’ll sue till you’re broke and in hock!”
And now my handy haiku:
My musical hands,
Stricken by carpal tunnel,
Betrayed by my wrists.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write a limerick or haiku (or both) about health. When you’ve posted your verse, please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have a whole week to post it.
Limerick and Haiku Prompts Participants
| 1. Crafty Green Poet 2. Tumblewords |
3. Nickers and Ink – Limerick | 4. Iself |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your health-themed verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
Crazy Aunts and Other Mad Relatives (Limerick & Haiku Prompt through April 17th)
Friday, April 4th, 2008Today’s limerick and haiku theme is relatives. (Thanks to Read Write Poem’s aunt prompt, which inspired this broader theme including any family member.) First, my limerick:
Crazy Aunts
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Crazy aunt in your fam’ly? Let’s see:
Does she scoff at conventions with glee?
Fail at acting her age?
Give advice strangely sage?
In my fam’ly, the crazy aunt’s me.
And now my haiku:
He made an offer
That I just could not refuse:
Marital bliss.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write a limerick or haiku (or both) about a relative. When you’ve posted your verse, please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry, using Mr. Linky. There’s no rush, by the way, because you have two whole weeks! Why? Because I still haven’t started my tax return.
(If you need some tips on limerick or haiku writing, I link to some helpful sites here.)
| 1. sister AE 2. Xboxwife |
3. paisley 4. Tumblewords |
5. Tiel Aisha Ansari 6. Noah the Great |
UPDATE: Mr. Linky is now closed, but you can still add links to your family-themed verse in the Comments. And if you’d like to participate in a new poetry prompt, you can always find my latest one here.
UPDATE 2: I’ve just learned that July 26 is Aunt and Uncle’s Day.
Silliest Haiku Ever?
Friday, March 28th, 2008This may well be the silliest haiku I’ve ever written. But I was determined to use all five words of Poefusion’s latest prompt in a haiku:
Not so winsome gal
Flings cranberries at her prey.
Can’t lose quacky ducks.
And speaking about poetry prompts, I’ve just posted a new one: Taxing Verse Limerick & Haiku Prompt.
Taxing Verse (Limerick & Haiku Prompt)
Friday, March 28th, 2008Here in the U.S., tax return day (April 15th) is looming. So today’s limerick and haiku theme is taxes and tax returns or, if you prefer, forms that drive you nuts. First, my limerick:
Taxing Verse
By Madeleine Begun Kane
My records are scattered. Oh dear!
And tax filing day’s almost here.
My receipts are all over —
Some eaten by Rover.
I’m destined for prison, I fear.
And now my haiku:
Whether you owe cash
Or are due a tax refund
Filing is taxing.
Now, of course, it’s your turn. Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to write a limerick or haiku (or both) about taxes and tax returns and/or forms that drive you nuts. When you’ve posted your verse, please return here and add a direct link to your themed poetry.
(If you need some tips on limerick or haiku writing, I link to some helpful sites here.)
