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Haiku for a Koan of Time *

A poem in eternal progress.

By DesDownUnder

  1. So much time has gone
  2. So much yet to come
  3. And just at this moment, none?
  4.  
  5. Some much time is left
  6. So little remains
  7. And still at this moment, none?
  8.  
  9. So much time begins
  10. So much is ended
  11. And still at this moment, none?
  12.  
  13. So much time has past
  14. So much is future
  15. At this moment present, none?
  16.  
  17. No such time exists
  18. No such time has been
  19. Is this moment, for all time?
  20.  
  21. So much time to be
  22. So much time has been
  23. And at this moment, being?
  24.  
  25. Time's up?
  26. When?
  27. Now?

* Author’s note:

Traditionally, the Japanese haiku has 3 lines with 5 syllables in the first and last lines and 7 in the second line. (5-7-5). The above verses are 5-5-7.

I have not followed this tradition with these verses, which technically means they are not true haiku in form. Yet I think the difference in language between Japanese and English can be used to claim some freedom of form, where the intent of the verse is similar to a haiku. It also means I am not clever enough to work out how to express it in the correct form. So I will just say it is a western poem with eastern influence. It was started in 1969 and finished on the 31st January 2007.

The final verse is of course the rather obscure koan.