Global Haiku • January 2016
Dr. Randy Brooks

Take Me Back . . .

by
Hannah Mahr

When writing haiku, completely disregard any of the rubbish taught to you in school about how haiku is a short 3 line poem containing 5 syllables in line 1, 7 syllables in line 2, and 5 syllables in 3. Haiku is about being unique and creative without having to follow all the guidelines that held you back in high school or junior high. In fact, haiku comes in many different forms, ranging from one line all the way to five. Primarily, you will see haiku artists write in three lines, but don’t let that hold back your own creative style.

For me, I have noticed the best kind of haiku engages one or more of the five senses. If you can place the reader in the present with these senses, making them feel like they are living inside that haiku, you have stolen their little haiku reading hearts. Also, don’t be afraid to use past memories to take the reader back in time. Lots of people like to recall their fond childhood memories.

Always right from your heart, but do not forget to be short and concise in your work. Each reader should be able to connect to your haiku in someway. Take out the “I” and allow the reader to write their own twist or come up with their own read to your haiku.

I choose all of the haiku selected in this collection because they involve some of my most cherished moments growing up as a kid, including: my grandparent’s farm in central Illinois, Lake Taylorville, vacations in Minnesota and Florida, sporting events, and many more special memories that make my life so wonderful. These are all haiku rooted in the heart, just as I have instructed you to do.

hay wagon
meaty strong hands
to lift the dusty bales

lazy yellow lab
begging under the table
food gone in a gulp

picking strawberries
splashes of red
on an innocent face

                                eleven steps to go . . .
                three mountains
      two mountains
one mountain

new diploma
exciting job offer
for someone else

beach's edge
immediately all my sorrow
gone with the salty wind

tulips, daisies, and poppies
picked
special for mom

stray dog, stray cat, stray fish
my little zoo
grows

dusty red combine
granddaughter grains ear to ear
sitting on his lap

Mother’s reflection
little girl in a dress
too

brown and white paint
grazes in the pasture
saddles hanging over antique wood

a mosquito
buzzes into the cabin
fish frying in a black skillet