A couple (3) haikus for our oaks

Do you remember writing haiku poems in Grade School? They are short – a classic haiku is just 17 syllables, in a three line, 5-7-5 format. In Japan, where this form of poetry originated, there is almost always a reference to nature and/or the seasons. You can read up on the history and variations of English language Haiku poetry on Wikipedia.

I’ve been trying to write haiku’s about oaks – sticking to the 17 syllable, three line format, but finding it too hard to adhere to the 5-7-5. (I’ll keep working on it though).

Oaks can be so massive, and the diversity of species of oaks across the planet is huge, so I find something appealing about trying to capture some aspect of these amazing trees in a scant 17 syllables. Here are my first two:

(Quercus Haiku 1)
Alba’s cap is too small
Rubra’s fits just right
Bur hides her face with fringe

(Quercus Haiku 2)
An April birth
Decades to maturity
Centuries of fall leaves

(Quercus Haiku 3)
Once an acorn
A squirrel’s lost meal
Fed generations of his kin

What do you think? Do you have one to share?