Taking Time With Haiku

I have enjoyed each of the Haiku challenges. Poetry in general has not been my forte, but I now have more of an appreciation for all the different forms of the genre. A few of my poems have even made a top story which has been exciting. So that being said I am very grateful to Vocal once again for the opportunity to write and have really enjoyed the Haiku challenges in particular.

So, with all that said there is one tiny issue that I have been perplexed about. No, it is not which words make a traditional Haiku or whether many Haiku should really be called senryu. There are many more experienced poets to inform you about which qualifies as each. I am a fan of both the traditional Haiku and the more modern English version which may very well be a senryu. I find each has a place and have enjoyed coming up with ideas for both, whether talking about seasons or just the color blue. I have also thoroughly enjoyed reading other creators Haikus whether they are whimsical or serious in nature. I try to read at least a few every day and also share my writing. Explaining about giving and getting reads helps me segway to that tiny problem with this format. THE READS !

I have written about 25 poems for the four Haiku challenges. More than half have more hearts/likes and comments than they do reads. Each time I would open my stats page, I would think; "How can this be?" Imagine my surprise when checking my story to see "Oh my gosh, 20 people liked my poem!" The excitement would turn to bewilderment as I would only see 4 reads day after day week after week.

What! There must be a mistake! Then another Haiku 18 hearts/comments, 12 reads. Another with 20 hearts/comments, 13 reads and so on. Well weeks go by and then months follow. Hearts, comments increase but the reads do not. My mind starts adding the numbers. Hey 16 missing reads here, 6 missing there, 8 missing there. This is starting to add up to many missing reads! (Yes, that's what I concluded!)

Now some creators may say, "You know it is only three lines! You should appreciate any read at all!"

My response to that is I spent time on this poem just as I have each and every story or poem. I tried to come up with something meaningful in short statement that would not only meet the challenge, but I also counted every syllable over and over.

Yes, this is how I count my syllables!

I have also worked hard to share my stories through facebook groups and exchanged reads with other creators only to see these weird read numbers that don't reflect who has actually read the poem or story. I also know other writers have been facing the same issue.

I then decide I must do something. I put on my writer's cape, and I write to Vocal!

The answer I received "the engagement time has not been met." What the heck are they talking about? Then I see it the one-minute read!

Uh-Huh! It all makes sense now! The thing is Haikus do not generally take 1 minute to read. They don't take 1 minute to read, heart and leave an endearing comment either. They take about 30- 40 seconds and then you are done. So now with this newfound knowledge I am here to pass some advice. If you do enjoy reading these Haiku's and want to support your fellow creators, take the minute. Here are a few things you could do after you have already read the 17 syllables while staying connected to their poem:

1)Match your socks

2) Pat the dog (My pup, Freedom is the cutest, Such a good boy!)

3) Coffee, take a sip and then take another and another.....

4) Sing, " I could count 500 seconds and I could count 500 more." (thanks, Paul Stewart!)

5) Reread the poem, " Wow that was fabulous even the 2nd or 3rd time!"

Anyways just sharing a bit of information so that creators get their reads!

Final Haiku!

The One Minute Read

More time required,

For three lines of poetry

Multitask instead!