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Short and Sweet

Cartoonist Birdie Birdashaw puts a contemporary spin on the classic poetry style of haiku

f its true that good things come in small packages, then the poetry of haiku takes that maxim to its miniature extreme. is humble art form began with auspicious roots. During the 9th and 12th centuries, the most respected form of Japanese poetry was called a tanka. Structuring their works around ve lines with a set count of syllables, acclaimed poets of the day attempted to impress political and religious leaders (and one another) with their e orts at minimalist beauty delivered with maximum brevity. Poets would then string verses of tanka together to form a larger, collaborative work called a renga. e opening stanza or hokku was expected to grab the readers attention within three lines and a measured syllable count of 17 (respectively 5, 7 and 5). Eventually this haiku became an honored form in its own right. is deceptively simple yet expressive style appealed to naturalists, Buddhists, royalty and workers alike. Haiku poets usually strived to capture moments in nature or the changing seasons in impressionistic sketches. Perhaps the most famous of the classic haiku poets was Matsuo Bash (1644-94), whose masterful e orts at describing life around him remain the ultimate example of the potent power in this imagist world: the rst cold shower/ even the monkey seems to want/ a little coat of straw. In the centuries since Bashs passing, the strictness of syllable-counting has lessened but the haikus allure has enchanted such modern gures as beat writers Jack Kerouac and Gary Snyder, pioneering African-American author Richard Wright and even that Zen Buddhist scallywag, Alan Watts. Local cartoonist Birdie Birdashaw (thehaikulife.com) chronicles his life through digitally rendered drawings inhabited by characters that speak in haiku form. Honoring his ancestors, Birdashaw tackles such contemplative issues as drinking beer, the meaning of life, his dealings with other creative denizens and even crying cashiers hes encountered at the supermarket. His upcoming book, Manly Bubble Baths! collects some of his self-professed 17-syllable outlook on life. e 30-year-old Riverside resident ceded to Folio Weeklys request that he be interviewed in the classic 5-7-5 style: Folio Weekly: All souls must begin Surely you took form as well Where are you from, dude? Birdie Birdashaw: Born in Florida but raised in Colorado and other places.

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Poetic license: A sample of the work of haiku-driven cartoonist Birdie Birdashaw.

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I lived in Japan but Riverside is my home its too beautiful. F.W.: Why did you decide To write only in haiku? Drug addict drunkard? B.B.: College challenges, capturing honest moments with minimal space. Sometimes regretful but wonderful exercise always a challenge! F.W.: Venerable form Yet haiku is hardly cool Any luck with chicks? B.B.: Ive had my fair share lovely girls love poetry even tiny ones! e luster wears o drinking fuels my best writings and my worst moments. F.W.: Sweet con nement style Writing in xed syllable How long does it take? B.B.: Only mere seconds a er 12 years of practice they come quite easy. F.W.: Bash, Kerouac Known for practicing this style. Christopher Walken? B.B.: I love Bashs work never read Kerouac though I should read him soon. My favrite poet Is Robert Frost or Rilke they motivate me.

F.W.: Fan of the death poem Japanese call it Jisei. Any predictions? B.B.: Casey Anthony the Republican Party and Lord Voldemort. F.W.: Asian xation? A family tradition? Pokmon damage? B.B.: Greatest in uence discovering bushido the samurai code. F.W.: Upcoming book, eh? Cant do Oprah (RIP) Media blitz plans? B.B.: Making a press kit working on the second book and lots of writing. Plus daily comics I am always occupied so I guess thats good. I pray for the day that NPRs Terry Gross comes calling for me. F.W.: What does future hold? Maybe bust out some sonnets? Whole new trip, homeboy. B.B.: Writing childrens books and producing more comics and epic poems. Ive written sonnets contemplated limericks might practice my prose. ought about grad school working for some more degrees be Dr. Birdie!
Dan Brown dbrown@folioweekly.com July 26-August 1, 2011 | folio weekly | 31