Welcome to Go Dog Go Cafe’s Haibun Wednesday!

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What exactly is Haibun?

Autobiographical poetic prose accompanied by haiku.

Bruce Ross

In his old age Basho, who may be credited with establishing the haiku form, undertook a long journey to the remote regions of northern Japan, fully expecting to die before completing it. He did complete the journey, and his record of it has become a classic of world literature and an example, in the broadest sense, of haibun, autobiographical poetic prose accompanied by haiku. 
– Journey to the Interior, American Versions of Haibun, Edited by Bruce Ross

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Writer’s guide…

Some things to keep in mind when writing haibun:

• The range of haibun is broad and frequently includes autobiography, diary, essay, prose poem, and travel journal.
• A haibun is a combination of prose and haiku.
• The prose is brief and simple and usually written in the present tense.
• The haiku should not attempt to repeat, quote, or explain the prose.

Online Resources:
Contemporary Haibun Online
Haiku Society of America
Haibun Today
Knock-Your-Socks-Off Art and Literature
Poets.org – Closer Look at Writing Haibun

Books:
Word Craft: Prose & Poetry: The Art of Crafting Syllabic Poetry
* If you know of other online or paper resources, let us know!

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Now over to you…

• I want to apologize! I’ve been a terrible host this month but I’d like to explain. My brother passed away this time last year and February has been tough. I haven’t wanted to write or participate in much of anything. And it’s not like I’ve cried the whole month…I’ve just have suffered an ennui of sorts. So please forgive me, the cloud seems to be lifting. Let’s keep writing, and let’s build up this community one week at a time.
  
  This week’s prompt is to write about grief. Maybe you can relate to me with the dark days. Or maybe you are angry? Or it’s a constant dull ache. Go where the prompt leads.
  
  Here are my thoughts on the prompt: A New Dawn

• Post the poem to your blog, tag Go Dog Go Cafe, and include a link that leads readers back to this post.

• Add the link for your poem in the comments below.

• Read one or two of other writer’s links…we all get better together. 

DM

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Hey y’all, thanks for visiting the Go Dog Go Cafe and reading today’s selection. I am Donna Matthews, a born and bred Texan who can usually be found writing at the DJ Ranch, doodling, taking pictures, and traveling the world on foot. I’m all about love, people, sharing, and exploring life together, and would love to get to know you. Come on over for a visit sometime 💙