The poem below is a haiku by Jenny Bienemann:
The beauty you see
Is merely a reflection
Of what’s within you
Haikus are a traditional Japanese form of poetry. They are typically written in 17 syllables over three lines, following a 5-7-5 syllable pattern and often focus on nature. A famous example is by Natsume Sōseki, a Japanese novelist and poet:
Over the wintry
Forest, winds howl in rage
With no leaves to blow.
Bienemann first encountered haiku in third grade but rediscovered it on September 10, 2017. On that day, she had the idea to combine a photo with a haiku and share it on social media.
The response was positive, leading to her book, “Haiku Milieu,” which features 120 photos paired with haikus, a CD, and a series of concerts.
Bienemann is grateful for the vibrant local music scene. “We are so blessed to be part of this great city,” she says. She organized a concert where local musicians created songs inspired by her haikus. She describes the first event as “utterly spectacular,” noting the diverse performances from punk to jazz fusion and folk.
Since then, Bienemann has hosted 17 similar concerts. The next one is Friday at Fitzgerald’s, featuring local talent and a band. As Jenny’s husband Robin says, “Since it’s an evening event, there might be some adult themes.”
Robin and Jenny Bienemann, who have been married for 26 years, often share the stage and live in Oak Park. They balance their creative work with regular jobs. Each morning, Jenny writes a haiku while Robin is still asleep. Robin often helps refine her drafts, saying, “I’m a collaborator and editor.”
Jenny adds, “I look for his reaction when I read my haikus. Is he smiling?”
Robin tries to maintain a neutral expression but mostly smiles. “It’s amazing how this evolved,” he says, praising technology for inspiring Jenny’s visual art.
Their new book, “Sundays with Jenny Bienemann,” contains over 250 haikus, photos, and abstract drawings. The combination of ancient poetry and modern technology has a deeper meaning. Jenny reflects, “Writing songs based on haikus is a way to build community and connect with others.”
Robin, also a haiku writer, recently won a medal at the Grassy Hill New Folk Song Contest in Kerrville, Texas, a prestigious event with over 1,300 entries. He won for two songs, “Polly Amorous” and “Ostrich Farm.” Robin describes the experience as “the Olympics of songwriting” and was thrilled to win.
His latest CD, “Animal Communicator,” includes a song titled “Hey Haikuer,” which celebrates the art of haiku. The song’s lyrics suggest:
“No need to be Japanese to make one.
It’s just a recipe for poetry.
Just don’t fill it full of extra syllables.”
The next concert, “Haiku Milieu After Dark,” will be held at 8:30 p.m. Friday at Fitzgerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.