Heart Haikus

from my heart to yours

This is the time of the heart. Have you noticed?

It is like it is calling us to come home to our bodies, to our souls, to union with the many layers that make up what we call our “self.”

You know the movie E.T.? I think of it like that—

Deep—

Glowing—

Full of electricity—

Love, pain, energy—

and light.

The Process of Writing These Haikus

I have taught haiku to thousands of students and in most cases, what comes to mind for most people is that haiku are composed of three lines of 5-7-5 syllables (which is the rule of “on” or meter).

This rule is important because form teaches discipline and haiku themselves help us embrace minimalism in our writing. But what I explored in these haiku was not necessarily the syllable count, but the idea of insight (“satori”) sprinkled with hints of season words ( “kigo”).

I had the pleasure of drafting these heart haikus in the sample Bodylove Poetry Workshop I guided last week where we connected with and wrote from our hearts. I am so honored by those who joined me to co-create such a loving and supportive space and am even more honored by those who signed up for the full 6-week workshop that starts next week.

I hope these little poems come at just the right time when you needed them and that you are inspired to connect with your own heart and take out your journal and write.

Heart Haikus

By Corie Feiner


little flower bud,
open, open,
it is spring

           ~

mountain stone
picked up and thrown
kerplunk, kerplunk, ker---

           ~

lump of coal, don’t you
know, you are meant
to ignite? 

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Paid subscribers can listen to me reading an audio recording of Heart Haikus here.

Listen to "Heart Haikus" {audio for paid subscribers}

If you are inspired to read more haikus here on Substack, here are some publications and posts that I recommend:

Snehal’s Haiku Journal

Haiku Pause

Haiku Girl Summer

Cat-Cow Haiku (one I pulled this one from the archives for you )

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This is the end of the poetry part of this post and if you liked it, it would really meet my need for support if you pressed the heart button, wrote a comment, and shared.

But if you are a women interested in poetry, writing, somatic experiencing, and joining a safe and inspiring online workshop that starts on February 5th, then read on…

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The Bodylove Poetry Workshop starts February 5th

The Bodylove Poetry Workshop is a full body poetry workshop that combines simple nervous system calming techniques with movement, poetic craft lessons, and reading, writing, and sharing your own poetry about parts of your body in a safe and supportive space.

It is an act of learning and expression, but also of self-presence, curiosity and self-love. As Bessel van der Kolk writes, “Once you start approaching your body with curiosity rather than with fear, everything shifts.”

I invite you to get curious together.

Workshop Dates and Times

Time: Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30 pm ET

Dates: February 5, 12, 19, 26; March 5, 12

Space Limit: 11 Divine Women (4 spaces left)

Location: Live online via Zoom

Cost: $197 (contact me regarding scholarships & payment plans)

Note: Due to the sensitive and intimate nature of this workshop, participants are limited to those who were born and identify as women.

I’m so thankful I participated in Corie Feiner’s Bodylove workshop! I felt safe to write about aspects of myself I normally wouldn’t. The format of the sessions cultivates a grounded, comforting cocoon in which to write and share along with a wonderful group of women.

– Angela Bigler, author of The Mother Tree

Thank you so much for your time and presence. It means so much to me that you are here! Please feel free to reach out, comment, ask questions, share your heart, start a conversation - connect!

Corie