Zuihitsu: Japanese form that blurs poetry, essay, and Chinese characters meaning “follow the impulse of the brush.” An artform some consider to be poetic potpourri incorporating nonfiction, musings, confessions and lyrics to create a spontaneous, layered text.
when i hear “zuihitsu”, hairy little dog runs into room
yip-yipping
sneak out for disorderly conduct… in neighborhood
(bitch in heat)
Winner of the 2023 Ruth Lilly poetry prize and other awards, Kimiko Hahn has been writing and teaching this form for years. In her poetry collection The Narrow Road to the Interior, she writes “the sense of disorder” is “integral” to the form of zuihitsu. Did you sneeze? God bless you!
van gogh believed in God but that didn’t solve
insanity
layered pain(t) thickly with brush… or palette knife
(sharp enough to cut an ear)
Merril D. Smith introduces diverse poets to zuihitsu at the virtual pub. She encourages exploration and experimentation with unique (uni)form. This is my experimental attempt to catch the dog, layer ideas, and weave wild words. An imposing form can make one feel like imposter.
textured tapestry hangs in stairwell
neutrals
woven in layers of loopy clouds…outlined mountain
(luxurious [lunatic] fringe)
a poem in my pocket 
Apr 25, 2026 @ 03:02:18
I think this is genius. And Lynn, bless you–you sneezed, right? Bless you again. Beautiful work.
Apr 27, 2026 @ 08:52:55
Awww…thanks, dear Selma…i appreciate you!
Apr 18, 2026 @ 22:27:05
Love the clever humor in your poem, Lynn. A delightful read.
Apr 21, 2026 @ 11:01:38
Thanks, Nancy 🙂
Apr 18, 2026 @ 17:01:56
Love the underlying humour in your write Lynn!
Hank
Apr 21, 2026 @ 11:03:00
Hello Hank, 🙂 and thank you!
Apr 18, 2026 @ 05:09:46
Oh, what fun! I read this first as the whole sequence, then the bold text only, then the background notes only (enjoying the playfulness to be found even there). Loved it every which way!
Apr 21, 2026 @ 11:05:00
You honored my writing by rereading and I appreciate your comments, Rosemary!
Apr 17, 2026 @ 17:42:35
l love the mixed of prose and experimental poem. A different voice for you.
Apr 17, 2026 @ 21:22:03
Thanks for your comment, Grace…glad you like it!
Apr 17, 2026 @ 08:28:13
I love this Lynn. Especially the naughty little dog! The name does bring up that image!
Apr 17, 2026 @ 08:36:59
Right?! My apologies to the Japanese language…English is hard enough to spell 🙂
Apr 17, 2026 @ 14:46:24
Ha ha… I love it!
Apr 17, 2026 @ 05:08:37
“This is my experimental attempt to catch the dog, layer ideas, and weave wild words.”
I like how you compared laying of thoughts, words, and paint– I especially like “layered pain(t) thickly with brush” 💙
Apr 17, 2026 @ 07:52:56
This prompt streeetttched me, Merril…thanks!! We express art by many meandering means 🙂
Apr 18, 2026 @ 05:57:03
You’re welcome, Lynn.
Something different! And we do indeed.
Apr 16, 2026 @ 23:01:21
A visual poem – both in the art work and your words – wonderful! Jae
Apr 17, 2026 @ 07:54:03
Thank you, Jae…mission accomplished!
Apr 16, 2026 @ 21:37:04
Interesting
much love
Apr 17, 2026 @ 07:54:30
❤