TOASTMASTERS HAIKU

By Craig Harrison DTM, Past District 57 Governor

Just as Toastmasters speak within time limits, we can learn to write within word limits too. Haikus are a popular form of Japanese poetry known for their brevity. Haikus are non-rhyming poems of just three lines, with the first and third lines comprised of 5 syllables each, and the middle line containing seven syllables. The following Haiku were inspired by my eleven years with Toastmasters.

A case of bad nerves
The beginning speaker’s fate
It’s time to sip sake.

I love Toastmasters:
Members who care, programs too
Give me Confidence!

I entered with fear,
Then Toastmasters worked with me…
Listen to me now: they clap!

Communication
It’s why I joined Toastmasters…
Now I am a Leader.

I joined to help me —
Through Toastmasters I
Help others as well!

Learning CAN be Fun.
Dr. Smedley knew.
Ergo Toastmasters.

Each speech that I give
Counts as a manual speech.
My EVP smiles.

A World that speaks well.
What a great vision to have.
Toastmasters does it!

In contests we find
Speeches can’t go forever.
Limits can be good.

Gavel bangs each week.
Another meeting begins
And will end on time.

WHQ*
The people we never see
Phyllis – the voice I love.

What is a PerCap?
I can be one, two or three
District Four keeps track!

Conventions are great
Yearly extravaganzas
Next year: Atlanta!

Everybody wins
Through the Toastmasters programs —
Group recognition!

Service Leadership
The backbone of Toastmasters…
Please accept when asked.

Join a club and get
Raises, promotions and more;
How can you resist?

Joined to speak better
Now I teach others the same
Mom, look at me now.

Ums and Ahs I had
Now without them I have found
More time for real words.

Speak with Confidence.
It’s easy when your guide is
Toastmasters each week.

Me? Shy and reserved.
Now, called to speak in public.
Praise to Toastmasters!

The Word of the day?
You say: Transformational
I’ll Show What You Mean.

Clubs around the World
Toastmasters — it is like the
United Nations!

Many men, women
Join together every week
To make their voice strong!

Dues are due again.
Just twice a year do we pay
For year-long learning.

My mailman arrives.
With The Toastmaster in tow.
Now he may join too!

With Pins and Ribbons
I dress for the success of
our Spring Conference!

Build a club they say.
Help other folks speak better
With Toastmasters today!

Timer She shows Green
More to say, seeing Yellow
Done in Time…No Red!

We do more than talk
We listen and lead as well
What a great program.

I aspire to
be the World Champion
six more wins to go!

Shake my hand and sit
But don’t go too far away…
(My first Table Topic)

Evaluate me
To motivate me and more
So we can all learn.

Youth Leadership is
My most favorite program.
Young people learn fast!

Contagious clapping
A hallmark of our meetings
Makes us all feel great!

Mentoring others
It’s a great feeling to share
And help others grow!

To have speaking skills
Gives us all special powers
Now, go make a difference!

“Mr. Toastmaster
Fellow Toastmasters and Guests”
Say I to begin…

“Shake my hand” she says
But it’s already shaking!
—It’s my Ice Breaker.

A master of toasts
And a teller of tales
We wear many hats.

I just cannot lie —
Life was one moment of truth
Until joining up.

Me: From fear to fun;
You: Can aspire and achieve;
We can both succeed.

Santa Ana winds
Blow words around the world
Dr. Smedley smiles.

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Enjoy the Write Stuff!

Craig Harrison DTM is a past District Governor, a Mentor and charter member of Pro-Toasties in Foster City, and a regular contributor to The Toastmaster magazine. Visit his website www.craigspeaks.com.

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