We are lucky enough to have a wood-burning fireplace in our house, and this winter’s sub-zero temperatures have put us by its bright, crackling glory on many a cold night.
A warm fireplace is a great place to do some meaningful, reflective thinking. I was musing recently about how to make sitting by the fire an even more positive experience, and a word came to mind—haiku! This Japanese poetic form is easy and accessible; its only rule is that it follows a simple, consistent format across three lines of poetry:
Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables
The days and weeks ahead hold the promise of more cold. Whether or not you have an actual fireplace, why not take a few minutes for the pleasing task of creating haiku that capture the essence of the fireside experience? I’ll share a few of my own creations to spark (see what I did there?) your cozy, comforting imagination.
Smolder, hiss, and smoke
Until the twig finds a spark;
The fire springs to life.
Dancing, fluttering
What’s keeping this fire alive?
The answer is you.
Busily burning,
The room becomes much warmer.
You do all the work.
Like with any creative endeavor, it’s important not to judge your haiku (or mine, for that matter!). Instead, reflect on what warms you, what nurtures you during the cold season, what flame you are drawn to—and match your words to those feelings. What poetic thoughts might light your way through to springtime?
