HAIKU

HAIKU is a compressed form of poetry.
It is basically a comment upon a moment in time.
Probably the most common form is:
5-7-5
There is also:
4-4-4    3-3-3 even 2-2-2

What one should avoid in Haiku:

Articles......(the, this, an, etc)  -  since the form is extremely short                                                        Descriptions....best to avoid adjectives                                                                                                     Emotion......the Reader will pick up on emotion from your observations
do not give him 'your' emotion

The best Haiku are done by children because they are spontaneous, true and un-self conscious.
If you can reach this state....you might write Haiku as good as children.

SENECA (Ancient Roman Philosopher)

Seneca is a Roman Philosopher who lived during the time of Nero and during the era of the Early Christians.

He was part of the Stoics who believed that Man needs to be able to 'rise' above the forces of FORTUNE.

Fortune 'plays' with mankind, and if one is not thoughtful, vigilent and a follower of Virtue, he will be bounced-like-a- ball by Fortune.

But by not being  joyful at 'good' fortune, nor devasted by 'bad', the Stoics sought to 'rise above'
the power of this fickle Cosmic Trickster.

There is some degree of Zen quality that seems to run thoughout the Stoic Thought.