AUGUST 18, 2006
FLY ON THE WALL: PSY-KU

by Tim Meltreger

This much I know is true: the dedicated Psych fans that frequent these pages are a creative group with a need to express their overflowing devotion, but unfortunately lack a truly artistic means of doing so.

Until now.

Friends, we're taking poetry into the 21st century, and a certain fake Psychic detective show is going with us. I give you the Psy-ku.

Shawn says he's Psychic but
Lassiter isn't so sure
No matter. Case solved.

Right. It's a haiku. And if you remember elementary school, you remember the structure: 5-7-5. First line: five syllables, second line: seven syllables, third line: five syllables. Simple. And revolutionary. Suddenly the clouds part and a sunbeam finds you closer to your horizon. Wow. Could I BE more poetic? One Psy-ku and I'm a regular Stanley Kunitz.

Gus loves his job but
He's not on his route today
What does that tell you?

I know, the Japanese have been writing them for centuries. But they were writing about clouds and wind and ponds and love, and nothing against the great tradition of haiku, but for tiny poems, haikus have way too many rules. Besides, the ancient Japanese weren't writing about Psych - they didn't have cable. So the way I see it, Psy-ku is a poetry genre unto itself, and as such we'll dispense with the rules, except for two: we'll adhere to the 5-7-5 structure (yay, symmetry) and since it's a Psy-ku, poems must be about all things Psych. Remember, you don't have to limit yourself to poems about Gus and Shawn:

Call me during Psych
I might just pick up the phone
But probably not

If this is starting to sound like a contest, well, it sort of is. It's an appeal to all you right-brained Psych fans out there to put the Psy-ku on the literary map. Here's the deal: write a Psy-ku (or five or six or ten) and post it on the Psych Message Board.

I'll consult with my blue ribbon panel of judges in the Psych office and next week, and for my final production blog, I'll post the winning poems and we'll all bask in your genius. Again, not so much a contest as an opportunity to grab a little glory as you show off your big brain and your devotion to Psych. Oh, and get them up no later than Thursday, August 24.

To write a Psy-ku
About Shawn and Gus is the
Sure path to greatness

What are you waiting for? Surely, you can top that one.

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