High unemployment, the endless economic downturn, pay cuts, homes under water, foreclosures. It’s hardly the stuff of poetry.

Nevertheless, imposing the discipline of the ancient Japanese poetry form haiku on our economic troubles can be somewhat therapeutic. It allows us to be creative but also to impose some control on a situation that often seems beyond our control.

So we asked readers to riff on the economy and send us their thoughts in haiku form — three lines of five, seven and five syllables in that order.

Back in 2009 we asked readers to send in their recession haiku. Scores responded.

This time around I guess we could call the responses recovering-economy haiku — albeit there hasn’t been much recovery for some readers. Others looked on the brighter side: There’s more to life than money, and, of course, we still have those swaying palm trees.

But the recovery is still sluggish. While the luxury condo towers have begun to fill up, many people are still singing the housing collapse blues. And “foraging for work,’’ as one reader puts it, is still way too common.

Here’s a sampling of the little gems our readers have shared:

Finding jobs are scarce,

But just what you need -- no more.

There is always hope.

Jacqueline Hardy, Aventura

Now I’m retired

From Dade County Public Schools

Less income — more LIFE!

Shelley Kolber, West Kendall

Bayfront with wide views;

No mortgage or fees, just costs:

Life under the bridge.

C. Harty, Miami

Oh, we had it all.

But, remembering the past

is consolation.

Mary Lamont, Miami

Laid off three years since,

Heart wrenching experience,

Thoughts haunt me again.

Mary Giffrow

Nothing from China!

Angry shoppers now demand.

Labels are removed.

Allison Neat, Key Largo

Greece needs a bailout

Italy hangs on the ropes

Will the Dow Jones fall?

Peg Grey, West Park, Florida

Children now married

return to parents with hope

recovery soon

Keith Connor, Cutler Bay

Wall Streeters rejoice

Bonuses flowing again

Others drown in debt

Mike Lynch, Pensacola

Frustrating, futile

foraging for work foretells

a fruitless future.

E.S.Friedman, Miami

Nothing from China!

Angry shoppers now demand.

Labels are removed.

Allison Neat, Key Largo Florida

A silent machine

In shuttered factory doors

Sits, untouched by hands.

KT Cohen, Miami

As huddled masses

become more tired and poor

Freedom gasps for air.

Jane Paglino, North Miami Beach

Unemployment is

a job in itself. We work

to get rejection.

Donna Weaver, Miami

My stomach cries help

for bread, hot soup or cold drink

I surrender pride.

Dr. Don Strachan, Miami

Keep your mind active.

Economic haiku themes

are just what we need.

Al Sasiadek, Miami

They, getting richer.

Me, wondering how to pay

this month’s mortgage (Sigh)

Ellen Geyer, Miami Beach

My mortgage, my home

A slippery submarine,

Sinks in a sea of red

Pierre Dumaine, Miami

Greece on sliding slope.

The world extends helping hand

or desperate grasp.

Dan Aber, Fort Lauderdale

Lo, empty condos

still scrape the sexy skyline

the Miami Way.

Dylan Barmmer

What is middle class?

Does that mean middle income?

Can you define it?

Louise Sendlein, Key Largo

Love and health are wealth

Money doesn’t buy you joy

Live in gratitude

Spring D. Strong, Aventura

Las Vegas gamblers here

Sending message – Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

Poker face sagging.

Marcia Reisman, Coral Gables

Market’s up - heads high!

Sword of Damocles looms large

Greece decides world’s fate?

Kathy D. Doran, Miami Beach

A tent-full plaza

recalls tear-gas days of old youth

stirs this old man’s soul

Bruce Epperson, Hollywood

Homeless sleep at night

on streets near Adrienne Arsht.

A sign of the times.

Peg Grey, West Park

So many burglars!

Fancy houses are out there.

Are we very poor?

Vincent Wong, Miami