The wheelie-bins imply respect for the ancient stone wall, huddling close for protection, or in fondness, or deference. They too seek maturity in that weathered look. But being spun from artificial substrate, that will instead be their death knell.

That was instructive.

Chose this photo because I just liked it. Our dining room has a mini-chandelier and these are three of the five. The frame is ornate stainless. The thing only cost $100 but it’s beautiful.

And I gotta say starting out the task appeared hopeless, that anything cool might be said of an otherwise mundane pic.

But now, when I read it (and from where it came I know not; that’s the magic of 5-7-5) the middle line tickles the corner of my lips in it’s mischievousness.

The lamps brighten a little, in mild panic?

PS: I promise soon to stop ruining the moment with fickle comments. I add them here for other beginners (like me) to see the thought process.

PPS: And soon I’ll tire of the silly frames. Or not.

Reminder - I’m no Hokku/Haiku/Senyru expert. Learning as I go.

Seems my ‘Haiku’ doesn’t use a season word. At least, not knowingly, as that’s not what these images and Vantaay are about.  This isn’t a Haiku website.

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The observation that most strikes me is the difference between representing the image (or what it suggests; first impression) in 5-7-5-syllable English .. instead of a mere random English formless ‘description.’

Without the framework, or discipline, of Haiku-like poetry I could never have imagined such terse poignancy. In formless English - or in my immature grasp of traditional English poetry as mere rhyme on every second line - the resulting ‘captions’ would be melodramatic, corny, or both.

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As I read (and re-read) the ‘definition’ of Haiku and decide how pure to be (not very) these image captions on Vantaay will become more refined.

But, right now, the simple aim - and it can be yours too, unless you’re already a Haiku aficionado - is confine the caption to 5-7-5 and suggest more than what is visually literal.

Read something more into the image. There are no rules here other than to be piquant, incisive, profound, perceptive, insightful .. and maybe too cute.

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PS: The word “toil” in a previous post was first included as one sound. Later, recounting I pronounced it “toy-il” with 2 sounds. Took a minute to realise the difference.

So, we must allow some leeway for diction, eh?

Realise, did he, the symbolism?

And if you live on the west coast, pretend it’s a sunset.

Haiku allows three (or fewer) lines with 17 or fewer syllables.

I just love the discipline of 5-7-5, how it forces me to find the essence of why the image appeals, then encapsulate in minimalist terms. No fluff allowed.

There’s creative chemistry in forcing ideas into this narrow mold.