We are dreaming of spring here at Bug Chicks central. Longing for it, we find ourselves staring at pictures of flowers, beaches, and savannas--anything to get our minds off the gloom of late February. This is a month where creativity stalls a bit for us; we feel like we're waiting for something to start. When this happens, I like to write haikus. The short, structured poems (they contain three lines of verse divided into five, seven, and five syllables) force my mind to crank into gear. You’ve all heard that saying: Structure sets you free. Well, writing haiku helps to inspire motion in thoughts that were once inert. By forcing myself to write within the boundaries of the form, I find that my creative brain wakes, stretches, and shakes off the fog.

 

Having trouble feeling inspired or finding a topic? Do what I’ve done. Pick a favorite photo (it doesn’t have to entail bugs, but they are interesting), and go from there.

 

Below are three haiku poems based on beautiful images captured by three very talented photographers. Many thanks to Ted McRae, Huub de Waard, and Deverie Rudd for allowing us to illustrate their photos with words.

 

--Bug Chick Kristie

 

An Ode

beetles in the bush

beat millions in a box

 hunt.  find.  snap.  let.  go.

 

Salticidae

Look to the future

our binocular vision

blinded by setae

 

Dragonfly on a Reed

diamond facet eyes

seeing all the way around

simple yet compound