Artwork by Jim Shaw. Click picture for source.
Tri-ku
Van Gogh’s famous work:
Self-mutilated Vincent,
Was early Gaugin.
Prostitute, Rachel
Kept both souvenir, pinna
And her lips, locked up.
Vincent tossed the sword
Into River Rhone, nearby–
Jury is still out .
Kathleen Mortensen©2009
Join the Festival! Find more haiku here and also here. Try one! They’re not very hard and the rewards are infinite!
3-5-3, 3-7-5 
Well, that's it in a nutshell! I see that it's Haiku day. Hmmm
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Something haunting and sad about this incident which you have captured the essence of in verse.
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Haunting, and fabulously composed!
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Nicely done– the three cohere, but without connecting all the dots, which is as it should be. You may know this, but it's common practice to construct Haiku sequences (called Tanka chains– which unfortunately always calls “Tonka trucks to my mind). The tanks chains can include a number of haiku all built around a theme or image (which in haiku are basically inseparable.
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Kat,Inspired by you I was.A look at my blog please takeToo hard it is to be Yoda.I need a coffee.
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Very powerful–sensational writing and presentation! Thanks so much for joining this great event. Very good to meet you and find you wonderful, creative space here. :o)
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Yes, a sad and haunting tale, well presented. The word pithy keeps popping into my mind.
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Dear Kat,It's great to see how a poet writes Haiku! Very powerful. Much to think about and yes as Elizabeth said, haunting!Constance
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Wonderful, new layers giving life to an event long gone… I think my Mongolian Warrior may be pillaging that river… Thanks Kat!
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I like the “tri-ku” almost as much as the actual poems! Very clever!
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That was an original offering that I thoroughly enjoyed. And what a creepy ear painting to go with it.
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Hi Kat!I think your haiku is so intriguing…and the art work almost as much!I adore Van Gogh but such a tortured life he led!
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Hey Kat, what's going on ear then?
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TFE – I know it's a sad tale, but I was hoping someone would at least smile at the ear reference. Thank you!Kat
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Very impressive! To the point, but it says so much. I tried haiku-ing today as well, I must say I found it hard
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Love the edge and power to your Haiku.
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I am finding it hard to corelate the image with the words. But, yes I did spot the ear-reference. I need to think more to get this. Nevertheless, the writing is well done!!!
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Brosreview – Seriously? The artwork with the ears doesn't co-relate for you? Back to the drawing board.Kat
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I like your 'Tri-ku' ! Poor Vincent and Rachel, you have told the story well-and the ear painting is perfect!
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Hi!Are you psychic?! We were watching that game too-well I wasn't-I was reading Haikus-but Andy and his brother were. Weird!
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Back again, again! Clever Pup had been reading my profile!-the Withnail bit!You get the strangest word verifications-I have had fungunbus and sheri.
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Oh fabulous! I read about Van Gogh's ear recently. Made me realize – once again – that history is essentially stories made up by historians which might be why it's an ever shifting narrative. Fantastic haiku!
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Well written Kat. Love the Tri-ku and how you captured the essense and mystery of the event. You are THE poet!
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I went for it.But what I came to say was, isn't that an interesting report about Van Gogh's ear? Who knew? And why did they take so long to say anything? Too bizarre.
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Van Gogh brilliant tears glass mirrors madness suffering the beauty within…(3 dots)
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Love the the way you tell the whole story in so few words. I like the reference to Gaugin, and the picture couldn't have been better!
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i've never been any good at haiku. have you seen this poet on twitter???http://twitter.com/twihaiku
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It was so nice to meet you via this haiku festival. Thank you for stopping by and leaving me this link, I am so glad to have found your blog and will be back to read more.
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Excellent! The theme is fascinating, too. I love the “tri-ku.” The picture works with the poems for me. Well done.
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i just read research on that last line hahah
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