Experiencing Haiku

                                                parade of bright eyes

                                                coming on cement ribbons

                                                dawn on the interstate

At the OWL conference, Jan Morrill presented on writing the perfect haiku, and then she reminded us nothing in the world is perfect. I remember writing haiku in high school because teachers thought it was an easy form to conquer. (Or was it that 17 syllables made for easy grading!)

Morrill has a multi-ethnic background that includes a Japanese mother. Her novel, an excellent read by the way, The Red Kimono is set in WWII and the Japanese internment camps in Arkansas at that time. She also writes a blog titled Life Haiku by Haiku at https://haikubyhaiku.wordpress.com/  Her published book of haiku is taken from this blog.

She shared several points about haiku and then gave the audience prompts and five minutes to produce something. Then she asked for volunteers to share their work. People were eager to do so, and many of the five minute haiku were excellent.

                                           hooves paw loose dirt

                                           whinnies in morning’s mist

                                           conversations shared

The author said that writing a haiku about one’s novel is a great way to begin a synopsis. It narrows the story to its essence. She also suggested writing a haiku for each chapter in a one’s novel. Haiku makes one be in the moment, to focus, to mediate even.

Haiku lines:  First is present tense; Second is brief moment; Third is enlightenment or knowledge of some kind.

She recommends the book Wabi Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets, and Philosophers by Leonard Koren.                             

                                         porous pottery

                                        cracked, glued, repaired to new beauty

                                         family flaws less so