Choka

Choka

Choka is a form of Japanese long poetry pre-dating, but related to, haiku. As with haiku, the lines of a choka should not rhyme but should follow a syllabic pattern (onji).

The most widely accepted pattern for the Choka is to start with a katuata of 5-7-5 syllables and continue in a 7-5 syllable pattern. It can be any odd number of lines and finishes with a 7-7 syllable count.

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STORM SEASON

A pregnant silence
after the crash of the storm
a door slamming shut
on turbulent emotions.
A rainstorm of tears
washes away the past sins
but never enough
to wipe the slate clean again.
The eye of the storm,
cold emotion withdrawing
leaving in its wake
a desiccated spirit
without redemption
until the storm clouds gather
bringing chaos in their wake.