About

Cats are born poets

They can say a lot with a little. (A little purr goes a long way.)

They are enigmatic and deep. (Who can tell what a cat actually thinks?)

They are ancient souls with tales to tell. (Just look into their eyes.)

Haiku is for cats

It’s no surprise, really, that my cats have chosen to take up poetry. But haiku? Based on a type of ancient Japanese verse, haiku in English is written in just three lines, with a pattern based on syllables: five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five in the third and final line.

The challenge is to capture a feeling, a moment, a thought, in those three short lines. Kind of like Twitter, only deeper.

As for the cats, they’re not that good at rhyming, and they like the multi-layered hidden meanings within the  haiku form. I do my best to translate whispered meows and purrs into the poems on this site.

 Dawn, Athena, Calvin and Elsa Clair, haiku poets

The three poetcats live in New Jersey, sharing their home with a couple of people and three smelly dogs, who also write poetry. (You can read their work at Haiku by Dog.)

All four cats were adopted from rescue organizations. When they’re not writing poetry, Dawn, Athena, Calvin and Elsa Clair will most likely be found in a sunny spot on a carpet, or nappingon a dog bed. (It’s no fun sleeping in a bed meant for cats.) There are also bugs to be caught, toys to be pounced andbirds to watch out the family room window.

Feel free to follow them on Twitter @HaikuByCat, read their texts on Dogs and Cats Texting (yes, they text, too) or read about them on the website Life with Dogs and Cats or on the Life with Dogs and Cats Facebook page.

Dawn squareAthena squareElsa Clair squareCalvin square

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