The Call of the Lune

Awhile ago we discussed Haiku. A lot of people have discussed Haiku. And one poet (Robert Kelly) decided to do something about it -- to make Haiku easier for Americans. Well, originally the Lune was intended for American schoolchildren -- but the form has proved popular for all ages.

There are two styles of Lune. One requires syllable-counting: five syllables in the first line, three syllables in the second line, five syllables in the third line. It was called a "Lune" because the results, if you have a poetic imagination, can be seen as a crescent moon.

Haberdasheries
have never
dashed habers for me.

Cemetery stones
are hard as
survivors must be.

Unlike haiku, there are no other rules for lunes. They may be as ridiculous or as sublime as you desire.

The second variant of the Lune doesn't even require syllable-counting. It requires three words in the first line; five words in the second line; three words in the first line. No limits on word-length, except your own innate desire for readability.

Nights are warm
in Seattle, middle of December:
I'm not alone.

(You still have the crescent, it's just facing the other way.)

EXERCISE:

Write one or more lunes of each form.

GUIDELINES FOR CRITIQUE

1) Did the poem fit one of the two forms?

a) first line: five syllables
   second line: three syllables
   third line: five syllables

b) first line: three words
   second line: five words
   third line: three words

2) Did it manage to fit the form without feeling strained?

3) Optional discussion topic: Is it easier to fit the lune form without sounding strained than it is to fit the haiku form? Which form of the lune did you find easiest to "sound natural" in?

You may see more lunes on display ( and submit your own) at Shortforms Wanted!

Write On!
Anitra