I was telling a friend of mine that I just didn't get the Haiku. Now, I think I do. At least I learned something from college.

By definition Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry in three metrical phrases of 5,7, and 5. But of course, you all knew this, as did I. Haiku poetry is branded into our heads from preschool. My problem with them was that they seemed out of sync, almost silly. I mean they don't move with intensity like Sir Walter Scott.

Border Ballad

March, march, Ettrick and Teviotdale,
Why the deil dinna ye march forward in order!
March, march, Eskdale and Liddesdale,
All the Blue Bonnets are bound for the Border.
Many a banner spread,
Flutters above your head,
Many a crest that is famous in story.
Mount and make ready then,
Sons of the mountain glen,
Fight for the Queen and our old Scottish glory.

Come from the hills where your hirsels are grazing,
Come from the glen of the buck and the roe;
Come to the crag where the beacon is blazing,
Come with the buckler, the lance, and the bow.
Trumpets are sounding,
War-steeds are bounding,
Stand to your arms, then, and march in good order;
England shall many a day
Tell of the bloody fray,
When the Blue Bonnets came over the Border.

Or Robert Burns

A Bottle And Friend

There's nane that's blest of human kind,
But the cheerful and the gay, man,
Fal, la, la,

Here's a bottle and an honest friend!
What wad ye wish for mair, man?
Wha kens, before his life may end,
What his share may be o' care, man?

Then catch the moments as they fly,
And use them as ye ought, man:
Believe me, happiness is shy,
And comes not aye when sought, man.

I won't bore you any longer, so here is my attempt at Haiku.

Horizon sunset
Painted fingers streak the dusk
Prairie's kiss goodnight