I’ve been interested lately in Jungian psychology and, in particular, the concept of “the shadow”. This leads to the concept of doing “shadow work”: finding ways to allow your shadow to express itself, to let out some of the things about who you are or your thoughts, some of them primal or ‘impolite” shall we say. This allows to better understand who we are and, maybe, find some of the roots to some of psychological and emotional challenges we might have. Because, as Jung said (and I am paraphrasing wildly!), if we don’t give some expression to our shadows, they have a tendency to show up in inconvenient ways!
It seems to me that writing senryu serves as an excellent practice to get to know one’s shadow a little better. Here are some reasons why:
1. Brevity with Depth
Senryu’s compact form forces you to distill an idea, emotion, or tension into its essence. This discipline aligns perfectly with exploring sharp, shadowy, or primal themes because those are often things that resist over-explanation. A senryu whispers or slices—it doesn’t lecture.
2. Room for Ambiguity
Senryu thrives on subtlety, leaving just enough unsaid for readers to feel their way into the poem. This is ideal for the shadowy terrain you’re exploring—desire, conflict, identity. You hint, they lean in.
3. Emotion Over Nature
Unlike haiku, which focuses on nature and seasons, senryu centres on human experience. Your explorations of the shadow, longing, and primal instincts fit this form beautifully. It’s a format that lets you delve into darker, messier emotions without the need to tie them to cherry blossoms or frogs in ponds.
4. Accessible Yet Profound
You don’t need to write a thesis or epic to make an impact. The minimalism of senryu lets you say something piercing and let it linger. It’s the art of restraint, which resonates well with primal power.
5. Shadow-friendly Techniques
Fragment and phrase structure: Perfect for the pivots and contrasts you crave.
Juxtaposition: Mirrors your exploration of duality—light and dark, desire and repression, calm and storm.
Layered Imagery: A hallmark of senryu, making it a playground for your shadowy creativity.
6. Built-in Subversion
Senryu often has an irreverent or satirical edge. While you might not lean into humour, that subversive spirit aligns well with your desire to push boundaries and play at the edges.
7. Grounding and Expansive
Writing senryu keeps you grounded in craft while also letting you explore ideas and sensations that feel uncontainable. It bridges your philosophical leanings with raw emotional expression.
I find this idea fascinating, and I intend to explore this further as I continue to hone my senryu-writing craft.
What do you think?
Ian Kenney 