A series of micro-seasonal haiku, awakening to the ordinary
18th Sekki: Frost Falls (Oct. 23-Nov. 6) – ‘Sōkō’
first frost (Oct. 23-27)
short rainfalls occur (Oct. 28-Nov. 1)
red maple trees and grapevines (Nov. 2-6)
Similar to the use of a ‘season word’ in haiku, each of the 72 micro-seasons (kō) provide a short phrase as a trellis around which to form a haiku. Above are the phrases for this particular micro-season and below are the inspired verses we have received.
Kō 52:
beginning and end
in this crimson glow, bound
with grapevines
COLEMAN DAVIS
Berea, KY
Kō 53:
you left
starlight on your stone—
the first frost
SHAOMEI YU
Los Angeles, CA
Kō 54:
blazing scarlet hearts
only burn for a season
before Sabbath rest
MADISON WILLIAMS
Charlottesville, VA
To submit haiku for our Kō series, visit our submissions page.
To read more about Kō, and to view the seasonal calendar, click here.
To explore a haiku workshop offered by Upaya Zen Center, click here.
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