It is said that you can tell a lot about a person from their handwriting; we each have our own unique style, even identical twins. A person’s handwriting is similar to their fingerprints: people might be able to copy it, but never in an identical way.
Our handwriting is influenced by the place where we grew up and the first language we learned, together with the way we hold a pen, the pressure to paper and ways of shaping letters and words.
According to Wikipedia, handwriting is ‘done with a writing instrument, such as a pen or pencil, in the hand. Handwriting includes both printing and cursive styles and is separate from formal calligraphy or typeface. Because each person’s handwriting is unique and different, it can be used to verify a document’s writer. The deterioration of a person’s handwriting is also a symptom or result of certain diseases.’
I take great pleasure in looking at famous writers’ handwritten drafts and notebooks. Have you ever seen Shakespeare’s, Dickens’ or Edgar Allan Poe’s handwriting, for example? What did it tell you about the writer?
How did you learn to write? Did you find it easy or was it a laborious task? How has your handwriting changed over the years? Do you write letters, cards or complete forms for someone who can no longer use a pen and paper?
I had difficulty finding prose passages and poems about handwriting, but the two I found might give you food for thought. The first is ‘Handwriting’ by Suzanna Fitzpatrick, which you can read by following the link: http://poetrysociety.org.uk/poems/handwriting/
The other is ‘Pen and Paper’ by Kaysen Fraker at: https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/pen-and-paper-5/
Today, I would like you to write no more than three tight paragraphs about communication through pen, or pencil, and paper, followed by a traditional Haiku that includes reference to a season.
If you are new, here’s how to join in:
- Write a Haibun in response to the challenge.
- Enter a link directly to your Haibun and your name by clicking Mr Linky below, where you will find links to other poets. More will join so check back to see their Haibun.
- Read and comment on other poets’ work – we all come here to have our poems read.
- Please link back to dVerse from your site/blog.
- Comment and participate in our discussion below, if you like. We are a friendly bunch of poets.
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Good evening dVerse Poets and happy haibun Monday! It’s been a chilly day here in Norfolk, where some places have seen snow over the weekend but it seems to have missed our little village. Warm drinks are on offer at the bar this evening to warm you up, ready to read haibun.
I take your offer… cold here as well, and I still bicycle to work.
How about a hot toddy?
Mmmm sounds delicious
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I realized how hard this was, it’s been ages since I wrote by hand, so I had to go back far in my memory to find anything that worked…
I think quite a few of us will be doing the same, Bjorn, as we all use computers of some sort. I still receive note cards from my father’s older sister. She’s in her late eighties and still writes in the same beautiful. neat hand, which is familiar and comforting to me..
I’m looking forward to writing about this!
I’m looking forward to reading it!
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Interesting. I initially thought “But I don’t really write anything anymore” – and then realised I write all the time…just not very coherently.
I need to pick up my pen and do the same…
Bjorn, would you be able tink up Denise from bilocallaia, please? She’s left her url below but I can’t link it up. Thanks very much!
I hope I left it sufficiently open for everyone to write something!
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Thanks for hosting, Kim. I added one with my handwriting that I wrote while on the trolley.
I’m just about to read it, Frank1
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Hello, thanks for the inspiration. Here is a link to my Haibun “Unwriting” https://bilocalalia.wordpress.com/2018/01/22/unwriting/
Thanks for joining us and sharing your haibun.
Hi Kim. Thank you for this lovely prompt. I totally misunderstood the prompt thinking it was about communication in general. If you like, please read and if it doesn’t fit the prompt, please feel free to delete. I will not throw a tantrum! I wrote about Emily Dickinson an dhow she communicated to me, visiting the museum, but I did include a sample of her handwriting. Alas, I no longer write….I use the computer instead!
Hi Toni! The prompt is quite open so I should think your haibun will be perfect. I did ask about famous writers’ handwriting and what it tells you about the writer! I’m off now to read.
Great Prompt Kim- took me back to a less than pleasant memory in 1st grade! And I included a photo of some of my pages…and my trusty pencil. Posting soon!
I’ll be waiting!
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Just in from an evening of good conversation but am pooped. I’ll pen something on the morrow. Fascinating prompt.
I’m just back after a sleep. See you later, Paul!
Thank you for the inspiring prompt Kim – I tried to ignore it, but couldn’t.
Although we had snow in this neck of the woods yesterday, it cleared today and believe it or not, the French doors are slightly ajar as I write, and the fresh air is wonderful.
Off to make myself a hot drink then will read others.
Cheers.
Anna :o]
The fresh air sounds wonderful. Enjoy your hot drink and I’ll be reading again shortly!
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good morning from the equator Kim! I’d love a coffee with a spalsh of Bailey’s as I write my haibun and haiku, love this prompt and eager to read what the others will be writing.
Baileys coffee coming up! I’m about to start reading again – it’s morning here now!
I always write my poems by hand. Well. Almost. And I carry I small notebook (paper) wherever I am. I feel it is so serious when writing on the computer. It is broadcasted. And I enjoy seeing the identifiable piece of art. By the way, Søren Kierkegaard, the Danish philosopher writing around 1850, once wrote that he was so happy he could write with pencil. Imagine those before him. Intensely concentrated. Well. Interesting prompt. And I like it.
Thank you. I rather like writing with a pencil, a soft one that leaves marks without too much pressure is perfect and less messy than a pen, which I tend to get all over my fingers!
Good evening! Rainy here in Southern Ontario, but I am not complaining. It is above freezing! 🙂
I loved this prompt, Kim. It actually brought tears to my eyes when I thought about my friend who has suffered a stroke a few years ago and is fortunate to still be able to write. It is definitely time to pick up the pen.
I’ve just got up again – it’s Tuesday morning here – and am looking forward to reading some more stellar haibun.
Sorry, I screwed up my site post again. Please delete the first two, The last one goes through.
Dwight
Great prompt Kym. This one brought back good memories of my father who enjoyed analyzing handwriting. He taught me many little things to look for. I have since found that there is a whole study on the subject that gets very complicated. Great idea for a challenge.
Dwight
I deleted the other two links for you, Dwight.
Thank you so much! I am sorry. I had skipped the a when typing in the post.
No worries. 🙂
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Now that is spooky – I’ve just found out that today is National Handwriting Day!
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I wrote a couple paragraphs on handwriting analysis — something I was really interested in as a teen but this brought that back — then added a list of what things in handwriting equals what personality traits. There is a senryu up top but also a haiku beneath the paragraphs to make it a haibun. I didn’t realize this until looking at my writing and thinking back — but the slant of my writing has changed since I was a teen. Just wondered if anyone found their handwriting has changed over time too.
Oh yes, mine has changed so much. I’ll be over to read shortly.
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I just finished reading everyone’s (well 30 so far). I just put likes for the most part having nothing to add really but also very much enjoying the different writings on handwriting. They were lovely reads and I felt as if I were surfing the loops, swirls and lines of the ink.
I’m glad you enjoyed the haibun!
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Such an interesting prompt, Kim (though I had trouble with it). 🙂
I will be back to read more later.
I’m just coming back to reading now, before Bjorn’s Poetics prompt goes up. Should be good!
Oh, just saw that one. Interesting!
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Afternoon, Poets! I arise from my sickbed to face the handwriting haibun challenge! Thanks, Kim!
Welcome, Frank! I hope you’re feeling better.
Getting there, Kim! Still home from work, but able to concentrate a little better, thanks!
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