A while back, the Literati met for an unknown challenge. This had been promised by the member who was to handle things. They sat down and awaited the task which, though they didn’t fear, they were nevertheless apprehensive about. When the secret assignment was then disclosed, it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. This was it, to write Haikus, Japanese verses written in a 5 – 7 – 5 syllable line format. The young men sat down, and in thirty minutes, poetic tit-bits were flying around the room that was so favoured by the grace of their presence. When all was done, some of the products were slated for display to a wider audience. Today, we present the selection:
My celestial queen
I so long thy tender touch
Lo behold thy face.
Kevin Andego
Raindrops falling
Drenched people are scampering
To find some shelter.
Martin Mungai
A stone fallen splash!
Into water of clean pond
Out jumps the toad.
Mathew Otieno
Fair pelican
Clean, white as chalk, once was
Now gashed, in pain.
Mathew Otieno
They are deeper than you think, and the authors still haven’t exhausted all the meaning that can be drawn from them.
If you want to learn more about Haikus, get in touch with David Mwaura. He taught the Literati this skill.