Canucks Haiku: Unleashing the Power of the 5-7-5

I’ve always appreciated a good haiku.

Maybe it’s because I’m half-Japanese (Imoo – pronounced “E-mo” and not “I-moo” – is a Japanese name). Or perhaps it’s because it’s a relatively easy poem to write with its simple structure of 17 syllables broken into lines of 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables.

Regardless, the haiku has always resonated with me. So much so that when the Vancouver Canucks were making the first forays into social media on YouTube back in 2007, I won the title of “Ultimate Canucks Family” for my creation called the “Ultimate Canucks Haiku”. See a younger Sean and an even younger Jacob try to master the Japanese poetry even if they hadn’t yet mastered the English language.

At 31,000 views, this video is my 3^rd most-viewed video (only behind “SOAR” and “Under John Tortorella”) and in essence it launched my YouTube channel and my desire to make more Canucks-related videos including the song parodies. So you have this video to thank….or to blame haha.

But I digress.

Seven years later, I’ve continued to show my appreciation for the haiku by working it into a regular feature of our weekly C4 podcast here on Canucks Hockey Blog. A few hours before we record, I’ll tweet out a request for followers to submit their best Canucks-inspired haiku and we go from there.

This past weekend, I wasn’t able to get the haiku into our Thanksgiving edition of C4, but I received a number of submissions that were too good not to share.

Thus, I proudly present to you – along with some of my instant reaction – Canucks Haiku.

 

Charlene Fairchild (@cefair):

Magic on ice back

Vrbadass Sedinery

Sparks win from The Pack.

Clay’s reaction: I really enjoyed the middle line of this haiku. I think Vrbadass could have some legs to it. Or at least attached to it. Think about it for a sec.

 

Keith Murray (@kdmurray):

A promising start

The fanbase wants to see more

It is still early.

Clay’s reaction: I like what Keith’s done here. He starts his haiku off with great optimism, but then tempers it slightly as the poem progresses. It’s a cautious optimism that comes with 2 wins over the Alberta powerhouses.

 

Anna Forsyth (@aforsyth03):

We beat Alberta

But need to do much better

Good riddance Kesler.

Clay’s reaction: Remember what I just said about beating the Alberta powerhouses (sarcasm intended)? Well Anna nails the sentiment in her haiku. And she ends with a strong parting shot to RK 17. I wonder if the majority of the fan base here agrees with her.

 

Earl Gordon (@Sir_Earl):

Good start with 2 wins

Why are the Canucks better?

Tom Sestito benched.

Clay’s reaction: Yet another acknowledgement of our strong start but this one from Earl goes straight to a reason that has nothing to do with the opposition. Instead, Earl takes aim at one of our own. Can’t say I disagree with him. Sestito’s going to have a hard time getting meaningful minutes this year.

 

Johnny Canuck (@lawyer604):

It’s Miller time, yes

Miller time – stop the puck in

A bind – Miller Time.

Clay’s reaction: Lots going on here. Lots of use of the phrase “Miller Time”. A clever rhyme embedded in the final line. This one’s just fine.

 

Brian Knotts (@brianknotts):

Canucks in action

Hockey Night in Canada

All is well again.

Clay’s reaction: I really like this one. Nice and simply yet it’s really natural and not forced at all. I agree with Brian: it was too long of an off-season.

 

Larry Wong (@LarryWong84):

Radim Vrbata

He has a stone-cold death stare

Do not mess with him.

Clay’s reaction: ‘Nuff said.