This DREAMJIN group is for DREAMKU – a very haiku-like poetry form about night dreams (but exploring dreams in other small forms, such as tanka, is also welcome). During the writing of a dreamku many find there is an insight into the source dream’s "meaning." However, writers not focused on dream work can use dreamku simply to draw inspiration from their night dreams.

Although experimentation with the dreamku form is welcome, we write within this new form's developing parameters (links are provided to posts about dreamku). For those who want it, we offer thoughtful craft critiquing, as well. In short, dreamku can help us learn about our dreams or just tap them for poetry prompts, and even stretch and develop writing skills like evocation and precision. Above all, writing dreamku is an enjoyable and satisfying pursuit.

Some readers are puzzled by dreamku. Yes, they are different from “regular” haiku. (And even haiku are being written in changing ways, e.g, in one line, instead of the classic three.) However, what any dreamku asks is for the reader to take on the dream moment as if it were her own. To see what it feels like, or what thoughts or emotions it generates. That is, a dreamku offers a moment to try on, to get inside of. Ultimately, that is no different from what a “regular” haiku invites us to do.

Here's a another dreamku. It's a good example of how closely dreamku and haiku are related:

the path spirals
to the garden’s center
a first step

Both dreamku above are by Patricia Kelly, the DREAMJIN group owner and moderator. You can visit her blog: http://roswila-dreamspoetry.blogspot.com to read the DAILY DREAMKU or search it for "dreamku" to get a feel for this small but powerful new form. (Image: collage done by Patricia on her dreamku notebook #2.)