Vikings Bye-ku Week – Vikings Territory

The Vikings have reached their bye-week. In the past, that was a time to rest, reconfigure and repurpose. But despite head coach Kevin O’Connell putting off their bye rather than use it post-London, it still comes at a bad time. The Vikings are on a roll—and it’s no time to slow it. At 5-1 and atop the NFC North Division by two-plus games over their nearest rival, we would love to have them back on the field, fine-tuning and continuing their role.

The team is relatively healthy, especially when we look around the league. So, while the rest is welcome for every NFL player who gets beat up every Sunday, this team doesn’t need off time to get healthy. But the bye is here nonetheless—and the team welcomes it. With a record that is tied for second-best in the league, they can spend some time soaking in the attention and accolades.

For the fans, there is plenty to enjoy without a game featuring their favorite team this weekend. They can experience an extended period to scour positive power rankings, dream of postseason possibilities and read and write all the Vikings Bye-kus! That’s right, the purplePTSD and vikingsterritory annual tradition of Vikings Bye Week Haikus is back. They are here to enjoy, and we enjoin you to create your own.

The haiku format is simple and should be familiar to those not adverse to this kind of verse. There are different kinds of haikus, but for this exercise, we require just two rules: three lines that contain five syllables in the first line, seven in the second and five in the third. Plus, your poem should make some reference to the natural world—see if you can find those references in the examples below.

Please enjoy this annual bye-week tradition, and feel free to send in your own. The exercise can pass the time until the Vikings get back on the field to host the Arizona Cardinals at noon on October 30 at the Vault (U.S. Bank Stadium). So, until then:

Get out your keyboard.
Craft some prose on Purple pros.
Use nature images.

It’s easy. Have fun. Go Vikes!

Vikings Bye-kus

The bye comes early.
Snow here has melted away.
Five and one feels good.

They all call him Z.
He now sacks for the Purple.
Plants QBs in earth.

Kirk’s first 5 and 1.
Now he’s wearing chains of gold.
Winds of change blowing.

Beauty is beheld
In the eyes watching the field. 
Don’t call this ugly.

JJ routes make space.
Jefferson’s skill has few peers.
Always wide open.

New coach KOC.
Brings in a breath of fresh air.
Warn the team: “No boats!”

Vikes’ punter is (W)right.
Big body, leg and numbers.
Sky is no limit.

Kwesi’s draft—queasy.
Moved picks like squirrels hoard nuts.
Jury is still out.

Five and one feel great.
Dare we dream of the playoffs?
“Enjoy the season!”

Cards flying in town.
To down the Purple vessel.
Vikes sail seas to six.