October 2011 NaHaiWriMo Writing Prompts

1

Awe. Write a haiku that evokes a feeling of awe without using the word.

2

Loneliness. Bashō stressed the concept of sabi (loneliness) to his students. It doesn’t necessarily refer to a lonely scene.

3

Courtship. Write a haiku you would use to woo someone you love or have loved. I realize tanka is usually used for this, but let’s see if haiku can do it , too. It doesn’t have to be “romantic.”

4

Butterfly or butterflies.

5

A shelter of your choosing (home, shed, cave, tree branches, etc).

6

A path or journey (real or internal).

7

Beauty—something of great beauty you’ve experienced today.

8

A loss.

9

Telephone/cell phone (October 9, 1876, was the date of the first two-way telephone conversation).

10

Any type of discovery, yours or someone else’s (in honor of Columbus Day).

11

A kiss.

12

Innocence.

13

Late, too late.

14

Baldness (in honor of Be Bald and Free Day).

15

Write a one-line haiku on any subject.

16

A sensual haiku.

17

Dusk.

18

Belly.

19

Frog (let’s honor Bashō’s famous frog haiku by honoring his frog. I’m not posting it because there are so many translations but searching online will give you a selection if anyone isn’t familiar with it—there are new writers here who might not be).

20

Scent . . . but don’t name it. Get your reader to smell it through your words.

21

A place (inner or outer) of peace/meditation.

22

Clouds or cloud formation.

23

Windstorm.

24

Evoke dawn without using the word.

25

A new beginning (internal or external). I had this prompt planned before the earthquake in Turkey so if anyone wants to use the prompt with Turkey in mind or simply write a haiku related to Turkey, please do so.

25

A frightening event.

27

A consequence of war (internal or external).

28

Migrating bird or birds.

29

Cemetery.

30

A secret.

31

Spirit or ghost (in honor of Halloween). Hope we have a huge response to October’s last prompt!