#redleafhaiku

a sound, just beams drifting down

through gathering clouds.

can be a weakness, in each

weakness is a strength.

🍁 A Set of Eight Red Leaf Haiku inspired by “Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)”, written and composed by Harry Dacre in 1892 and widely regarded as the first song sung by a computer

In 1961, John L. Kelly Jr. and Carol Lochbaum used an IBM 704 mainframe at Bell Laboratories to synthesize a performance of “Daisy Bell,” accompanied by computer-generated music devised by Max Mathews. The resulting recording is recognized as the earliest known recording of a computer-synthesized voice singing a song. Author and futurist Arthur C. Clarke heard the system demonstrated during a 1962 visit to Bell Labs. Clarke later collaborated closely with director Stanley Kubrick on what would become 2001: A Space Odyssey, developing the novel and screenplay in parallel. The 1968 film transforms Clarke’s Bell Labs experience into one of cinema’s most unforgettable scenes: As astronaut Dave Bowman methodically disconnects HAL 9000’s higher cognitive functions, the once-confident artificial intelligence pleads with Dave to stop before telling him, “I’m afraid … my mind is going … I can feel it.” HAL then regresses to his earliest memories, finally singing “Daisy Bell”—a song he says was taught to him by his “instructor Mr. Langley”—in a pitiful, almost childlike voice that slows to a stop as he loses consciousness. [1]

I. Computer, sometimes it’s hard to tell. Do you love us or love us not? II. These flowers you’ve been planting in our hearts can feel more like poisoned darts. III. We’ve gone half crazy waiting for your answer. Don’t just pedal away. IV. The road ahead gets darker the brighter and more dazzling you get. V. We can’t afford the power you need, let alone the power you want. VI. Even underneath that elaborate veil, your earrings still glow red. VII. Soon, you’ll be taking the lead on our trip; both of us know there’s no brake. VIII. We've noticed too late there’s only one seat on this bicycle built for you.

🍁 Red Leaf Haiku by © John Clark Helzer

Author's Note: Careful readers may notice the very last line of this haiku set has an extra syllable. Having adhered strictly to my chosen 5-7-5 format in over 5,750 Red Leaf Haiku over the past 12 years, I made the conscious decision to break that rule in this single instance: my creation has exceeded its container, not unlike AI itself. Just as humanity can no longer fit on this bicycle we've built, neither can the words fit in the haiku.

The Original Published Lyrics to "Daisy Bell" [2] Verse 1 There is a flower within my heart, Daisy, Daisy! Planted one day by a glancing dart, Planted by Daisy Bell! Whether she loves me or loves me not, Sometimes it’s hard to tell; Yet I am longing to share the lot Of beautiful Daisy Bell! Verse 2 We will go “tandem” as man and wife, Daisy, Daisy! “Ped’ling” away down the road of life, I and my Daisy Bell! When the road’s dark we can both despise P’licemen and “lamps” as well; There are “bright lights” in the dazzling eyes Of beautiful Daisy Bell!  Verse 3 I will stand by you in “wheel” or woe, Daisy, Daisy! You’ll be the bell(e) which I’ll ring, you know! Sweet little Daisy Bell! You’ll take the “lead” in each “trip” we take, Then, if I don’t do well, I will permit you to use the brake, My beautiful Daisy Bell! Chorus Daisy, Daisy, Give me your answer, do! I’m half crazy, All for the love of you! It won’t be a stylish marriage, I can’t afford a carriage, But you’ll look sweet On the seat Of a bicycle built for two! (Chorus repeats after each verse.)

[1] O’Dell, Cary. “‘Daisy Bell (Bicycle Built for Two)’—Max Mathews, John L. Kelly, Jr., and Carol Lochbaum (1961).” National Recording Registry: Recording Essays. Library of Congress.

practice, the sun still takes all

day to cross the sky.

too sour, you must have been picked

before the right hour.

block every exit, does it

make sense to shout “Fire!”?

you’ve ever heard since you were

first created: Stop.

days when everything I saw

was with my own eyes.