the pond in winter
windswept snow, crystalline sky
frigid air, silence
Just for the Fun of It
After several years of reading haiku and reading about haiku, I was inspired to write my first haiku this past August. One haiku led to another, then another, as my husband drove me around the northern New England back roads in search of inspiration.
I’ve begun compiling the haiku and their inspiration photographs into a book, which I’m calling Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right, after the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts.”
The book is a just-for-the-fun-of-it project, intended to give readers a lift and to prompt reflection on the simple pleasures outside their own doors. I’m not sure when it will be finished, as I’m also working on a novel and a short story collection. I’ll keep you posted!
Elizabeth Gauffreau 
It sounds like you are very busy writing, Liz. Exciting projects for 2023! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete! I’m looking forward to seeing the projects come to fruition.
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Wonderful news, Liz! I look forward to reading Simple Pleasures, and as well, your other WIPs. Bravo!
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Thank you very much, Gwen!
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It’s so rewarding when the mind is caught up on a project. I feel sad that so many people don’t ‘open up’ to any…art form, whatever form it takes. Hubby and I have been indulging in our old musical tapes today…(I must try writing a few haikus!) New Year blessings. Cheers! Joy xx
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It is rewarding! Have fun with your haikus, and happy new year!
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Wonderful wintry haiku, Liz, and the idea of pairing verse with a photo is inspired. Good luck with the coming “Simple Pleasures” book!
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Thank you very much, Dave!
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Best wishes on your new projects, Liz. Happy New Year.
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Thank you, John! Happy New Year.
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😁
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Looking forward to reading. Still struggling with my book project.
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Thanks, Goff. I’m sorry to hear that you’re still struggling with your book project.
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It’s still on the back burner.
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Sometimes a book just needs to percolate for a while.
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Sometimes it does. And sometimes it just needs to be done. I think the latter is the case in this instance.
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I hear that!
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A kick up the backside is very effective too! Need to set to it again. Happy Thursday Liz.
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Ha ha! Happy Thursday, Goff.
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Cheers.
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Wonderful! It should be an inspiring book. Writing haiku is a lot of fun!
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Thank you, Dwight! I love the word play aspect of writing haiku.
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Yes, the challenge is very stimulating!
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Love the haiku, and all your inspiration.
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Thank you, Dorothy!
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I look forward to reading your book!
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Thank you, Hien!
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Wow–you are super busy with creative projects! Wonderful!
And perfect poetic description with the photo.
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Thank you very much, Merril, on both counts! Too many ideas, too little time is a good problem for a writer to have.
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You’re welcome!
Yes–better than the opposite! 🙂
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Also, I think I first heard that hymn on a Judy Collins album.
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The hymn was a part of my childhood. I probably first heard it at church camp.
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Yes, I assumed it was part of your childhood.
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🙂
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Sounds well worth waiting for! And what a beautiful picture of the snowy landscape – hoping to see that here in Sweden soon as well!
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Thank you, Therese!
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Your haiku is beautiful, Liz! It sounds like 2023 will be a busy and productive year for you!
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Thank you, Jill! Yes, I’m seeing a very busy 2023. There will be many lists involved. 😉
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I love lists! 🙂
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I couldn’t survive without them!
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Haiku tend to do that. I love the photo.
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Thank you very much, Tim.
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You have some great projects to work on for the next year! Have fun with them. xo
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Thanks, Darlene! I shall!!
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I’m there, Liz! (…and here…waiting for your Simple Pleasures haiku collection) 🙂
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Thanks, Mary Jo!
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A lovely haiku, Liz. I have written a lot of animal poems over my break and my book, Lion Scream is nearing completion. I look forward to reading your haiku in due course.
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Thank you, Robbie, and kudos for Lion Scream’s nearing completion!
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Love it! Looking forward to more…
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Thanks, Bette!
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A fine example of a very attractive combination project.
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Thank you very much, Derrick!
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Sounds like we’ll be hearing a lot of good news from you in 2023!!
And here’s to supporting and helpful husbands!!
Happy New Year, you two!!
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Thank you, GP!! My husband is my biggest fan. 🙂
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I understand that!
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🙂
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Very exciting, Liz!
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Thanks, Joy!
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keep the inspiration flowing. here’s wishing you a healthy, happy new year Liz.
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Thanks, Tony! I hope you have a healthy and happy new year as well.
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I’ve no gift for poetry, but that sounds like a wonderful project for the New Year, Liz. I love the idea of you two driving around the countryside looking for inspiration. Hugs.
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Thank you, Teagan! Needless to say, my husband is very supportive of my writing–not to mention a very good sport!
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Haiku is my favorite poetic form, the one I feel most confident.
I’m excited to see what’s in store for you in 2023, Liz!
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I don’t think I’ve read any of your haiku.
I’m excited for 2023, too! Only four more days until the first draft of the novel-in-progress can come out of its month-long rest, so I can do a developmental edit and start revisions.
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Watch for several of my haiku in my second memoir.
Blessings on your novel-in-progress. It sounds as though you are entering the second trimester of your book pregnancy–ha! I know the feeling. 😀
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Excellent! Yes, I can agree with second trimester, although it will probably be late. 😉
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Congratulations!
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Thanks!
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You’re welcome. Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year, Andrew!
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Thank you.
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You’re welcome.
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Lovely Liz!
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Thanks, Cindy!
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If this is a sample, I expect the collection will be quite enticing. I loved the photo to go with the poem. You do stay so incredibly busy, Liz! Have a Happy New Year!
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Thank you, Eilene! Too many ideas, too little time!!
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Three WIPs! Good for you, Liz. Looking forward to the finished creations.
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Thank you, Audrey!
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That’s great news, Liz! I can picture your husband driving you around backroads to get your inspiration. Fun!
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Thanks, Jennie! I’m looking forward to our next jaunt.
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I bet you are! Happy New Year, Liz.
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Thanks, Jennie!
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You’re welcome!
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Oh, Liz, that sounds wonderful and …I find that ‘just for the fun of it’ is the only way, ie from the heart! 😉 Looking forward to all your creative work!
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Thank you very much, Marina!
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My pleasure, my dear Liz! xoxo
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Beautiful haiku with a perfect ending.
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Thank you very much, Jacqui! That frigid silence was really awe-inspiring. I didn’t want to leave it
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Good luck with your projects, Liz! I love your wintry haiku.
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Thank you very much, Eugi!
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My pleasure, Liz!
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Sounds like fun Liz. We writers always need more than one project to keep us busy. Happy New Year. 🙂
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Thanks, Debby. Have no fear–I have no shortage of writing ideas to keep me busy as time’s winged chariot thunders ever closer.
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I hear you my friend! 🙂
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How lovely and I look forward to the read, Liz. ❄️
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Thank you, Colleen! I never would have done it without your encouragement, and I thank you for it.
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Awww, that’s so lovely. Thank you. I wish you would practice with us for #TankaTuesday. I find the comments from others most helpful for my writing journey.
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You’re welcome, Colleen. Here’s my dirty little secret: In a case of do as I say, not as I do, I assigned writing prompts to students, but I don’t write to them myself.
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LOL! It’s great inspiration and practice. We must all do what works for us.
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Absolutely! 🙂
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Oh boy!!!!! I’m eagerly looking forward to Simple Pleasures already!!! Looking forward to everything you’ll do in 2023!!! Bravo to you!!!! And thank you in advance for all of your creative efforts!!! ❤❤❤❤❤❤
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Thank you–and you’re welcome!! I think 2023 is going to be a good year for creatives everywhere!
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Liz – what a wonderful idea. Looking forward to hearing more and to the launch!
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I’ll keep you posted!
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I can’t wait to read all of your new work.
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Thank you! I can’t wait to finish it. 🙂
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Oh, that sounds lovely, Liz! hahaha, you are just like me, working on more than one thing at a time. If we aren’t busy, we make ourselves busy! Congrats on this new project!
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Thank you, Luanne! I hear time’s winged chariot thundering ever closer.
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Yes, I know what you mean. Especially with every stinken doctor visit.
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And every new bodily weirdness . . .
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Tell me about it!
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Probably best not to. 😉
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Sounds good, Liz!
Adore the Haiku, and Happy New Year to you! 🎉💥🚀✨
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😀
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Awesome! Haikus are such fun! I.lool forward to news of your progress on your work, Liz.
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Thank you, Suzette!
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Oops, sorry for the typos!
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I’m glad I’m not the only one to fall victim to those pesky little things!
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Lol. Thank you.
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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Love the haiku “caption” on this page–and congratulations on the book! Happy New Year!
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Thank you, Cecelia! Happy New Year!
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Nice
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Thank you.
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Liz, you do a wonderful job with the creative discipline of haiku! Always a pleasure to read your writing, and I’m glad to learn of all the ways you’re working to share it with others. Belated Merry Christmas, by the way!
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Thank you, Ranee! And to think that I once turned my nose up at haiku. Thanks for the belated Christmas wishes!
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Best Of Luck !!
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Thank you!
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Looking forward to these! Will be on the lookout for your haiku and short story collection! 📚❤️
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Thanks! 🙂
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