Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry comprised of three phrases.

Traditional haiku uses 17 syllables (5:7:5) but contemporary haiku in English often ignores this rule. A haiku is typically about nature, the earth and the natural world and are designed to be thought-provoking. These original haiku poems are by Anthony Rutledge and are mostly written in the contemporary free style format.

There are over 4,000 Haiku on this site in 15 different themes: Australian, Beach, Garden Sundial, In the Mirror,Kimono,Motherhood,Ships and Oceans,Spring,Windjammers and Miscellaneous.

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spider suddenly
stirs and is bounding
to the blue fly’s fight

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Dawn opens
the faintest sweep of willows
over the river mud.

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Being alone
with them across the valley;
magpie echoes.

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boat house
slowly out-waiting
winter

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living elderly–
soul shapes
in the sky of gulls

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half-drowned in the weir
cray-fish feelers
at the tops of my legs

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Gum trees
lightening the thoughts
I drive home in

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Sundial garden
vegetables and flowers
for the family table.

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living elderly–
footprints on a lone beach
walked to the sea

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Incoming tide
sky blue seeps
into horse-shoe bay.

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Garden sundial
the full moon
faintly timed.

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living elderly–
drenching rain
a child stares from the car port

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