(Video link here.)

Over the past few months, we’ve made much of our practice of reading poetry in the morning, rather than jumping to the computer. We especially love haiku, the ancient Japanese form of poetry that follows a rigorous formula: three lines of five syllables, then seven, then five again. Haiku tend to be brief, deceptively simple, and utterly packed with meaning and surprise. Here’s a favorite by Issa:

A sudden shower falls –
and naked I am riding
on a naked horse! 

As an antidote to any possible high-mindedness we may have exhibited, we offer impressionist Jim Meskimen‘s version of Christopher Walken reciting haiku.

The next best thing to reading poetry in the morning is to die laughing.

via BoingBoing

Related posts: what happens if you start your day with a poem?
pablo neruda’s poetic houses (+ his ‘ode to the present’)
peep show gif: funny, risqué, slightly x-rated
‘everything is so amazing, but nobody is happy’

If you’ve found illumination, joy, or inspiration in this post, please consider supporting Improvised Life. It only takes a minute to make a secure donation that helps pay our many costs. A little goes a long way towards helping Improvised Life continue to live ad-free in the world.

Support Improvised Life ♥

2 replies on “morning haiku: christopher walken via jim meskimen

  1. Check out my favorite , (audible) poetry hits from these fabulous narrators:
    1. (free podcast ) APM: Garrison Keilor’s, the Writers Almanac,
    (short, almost daily, and always ends with a poem).
    2. From Audible.com is a book I return to again and again: John Lithgow- the Poet’s corner. It’s a collection of his personal favorite’s from many different time periods, with an intro into the poet’s life, etc. Enjoy!

  2. This is a GREAT trove. Thanks a million for sharing!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *