The Haiku escape: Finding serenity in seventeen syllables

In a world consumed by noise and distractions, the timeless art of haiku offers a profound refuge for the mind.

Through the lens of personal experience, this article explores how these minimalist poems capture fleeting moments of beauty and emotion, encouraging mindfulness and creative introspection. From the wisdom of Japanese masters like Matsuo Bashō and Kobayashi Issa to the simple act of composing your own verses, discover how haiku can transform everyday life into a poetic escape. Perfect for quiet mornings at home, this practice is a gentle reminder of the power of small things to inspire and heal.

This article, shared by Duncan from England, offers a heartfelt perspective on the art of haiku and its transformative impact on daily life..

The Art of Haiku: A poetic escape for the mind

It was one of those calm winter mornings, a Saturday, where soft light stretched lazily across the walls. I was sipping a steaming chai, wrapped in the familiar comfort of my apartment, but my mind felt restless, cluttered with fleeting thoughts and an incessant stream of notifications. That day, I remember it clearly, by chance or by need, I stumbled upon an old haiku collection, forgotten on a shelf. As I flipped through its yellowed pages, one poem gripped me:

“An ancient pond, / A frog leaps in, / Sound of water.” – Matsuo Bashō

These few words, so simple and pure, resonated within me like an invitation to slow down. As I read them, I felt my breath ease and my mind find a strange balance. Since then, haiku has become an anchor in my moments of disconnection, a poetic escape that recenters me in the essence of being. And I felt compelled to share this with you on Hermity. Here’s everything.

A moment suspended in everyday life

A haiku is not an ordinary poem. With its seventeen syllables spread across three lines (5-7-5), it captures a fleeting moment of beauty or emotion. Some authors have taken decades to compose just one. Reading a haiku is like slipping into a bubble outside time, where every word becomes a window into a heightened reality.

In the morning, before diving into daily tasks or work, I often open a haiku collection. Some poems, like those by Issa, possess a childlike gentleness and subtle humor that soothe the soul:

“The butterfly sleeps / On the abandoned bell / Midday sun.”

Others, such as the works of Kobayashi Issa or Masaoka Shiki, are more introspective and prompt me to contemplate life’s impermanence. There is a magic in haiku that invites you to perceive the present with rare intensity: a simple sound of rain or a ray of sunlight becomes an entire universe.

Haikus and disconnection: Nourishing the imagination

In these times where attention is constantly pulled in every direction, haiku acts as a much-needed pause. Simply stopping to read or write a haiku brings us back to a state of observation. This art teaches us to be present, to savor reality.

One day, when I felt particularly overwhelmed, I decided to compose a haiku inspired by what I saw through my window:

“Icy silence / The shadow of a leaf dances / In winter’s wind.”

These few lines felt like a breath for my soul, reconnecting me to myself. Writing a haiku requires nothing more than attentiveness. It is an exercise in mindfulness, a lesson in the essential.

The great masters to invite into Your daily life

To immerse yourself in this art, it’s essential to turn to the great Japanese masters. I recommend:

1. Matsuo Bashō: Considered the father of haiku, Bashō excels at capturing nature and human emotions with striking depth. His works, like An Ancient Pond, are timeless classics.
2. Kobayashi Issa: He brings a touch of lightness and humanity, often connected to the small creatures of daily life: “Oh! Snail, / Climb slowly, slowly / To the top.”
3. Masaoka Shiki: An innovator of modern haiku, Shiki revitalized this art with evocative and simple imagery: “On the rusty shovel / A still hummingbird / Tastes the dew.”

Diving into their works is like gifting yourself an escape from modern chaos.

Incorporating haikus into Your disconnection ritual

To fully enjoy the benefits of haiku, I invite you to make it part of your daily routine:

• Create a peaceful space. Choose a comfortable corner in your home. Add a cushion, a scented candle, or a cup of your favorite drink. This space will become a sanctuary for your poetic readings.
• Keep a collection nearby. I recommend “The Way of Haiku” by Corinne Atlan and Zéno Bianu, an accessible introduction to this art.
• Compose your own haikus. Every evening, take five minutes to jot down your impressions of the day in three lines. There’s no need to strictly follow the form; let yourself be guided by the moment.

Haiku: A remedy for mental overload

In connection with Hermity’s symbols, I had to share this haiku:

“Suspended thought / Beneath the lantern’s glow / The shadow stretches.”

I was struck by the power of these words. They made me realize that the mind doesn’t need much to wander: an image, a sensation, a single moment is enough. Haiku teaches us to embrace life with renewed curiosity.

An immobile journey

Paradoxically, haiku is an immobile journey. You stay at home, yet traverse entire landscapes: a blooming cherry tree, a stormy sea, a silent tempest. Through it, I found myself feeling forgotten emotions: the lightness of an emerging spring, the melancholy of a falling leaf.

A simple yet profound practice

Today, in the tumult of modern life, haiku is a precious escape. Whether reading or writing, it offers a space of freedom for the imagination and a refuge for the soul. Try it: open a collection, let the words carry you. Haiku, this tiny poem, can transform your perception of the world.

And what if you decided, right now, after reading this, to compose one?

“Under the soft glow / A feather gently lands / Peaceful silence.”