EN340 / IN350 Global Haiku Tradition
Dr. Randy Brooks
Millikin University PACE Summer2003
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JohnLafollette

John LaFollette


First
Haiku Steps
by

John LaFollette

During my exploration of haiku, I’ve learned that each individual expresses life through various forms of haiku. Some haiku are funny, expressive, intense, relaxing, imaginative, and the list can go on. I did not realize until the end of our haiku studies that my haiku began developing when I became more creative. Some of my haiku have been combined with fictional images as well as real life situations. I’ve included a tanka, another form of haiku writing, which demonstrates the beginning of my imaginative approach towards haiku. This began my journey towards understanding the style of haiku writing.


corner pocket—
blind man
plays pool


watching the storm
in our hard hats . . .
stinging hail


lighting bugs flash
throughout dark skies
potatoes roll from wheel barrel

 

 

autumn sunset
cuddling under blankets
Should I stay?


Christmas morning
snow storm continues
Father not home

 

 

This first Renga is with my children. It wasn’t easy because I had to constantly ask questions and get their feelings or view points. Most of my children's answers were funny, but I was able to get a good sense of childlike thoughts. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it with them.

summer draws to end
few final days
to stir the boiling pot.

     Sunny the whale,
     goes under water . . .

children jumping—
water every where
diving off board.

     dark skies
     time for chocolate chips

restless children
watch favorite movie, Larry Boy
sitting in bean bags.

     time for bed—
     love parents and Jesus
     with prayers.

• • •

©2003 Randy Brooks, Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois || all rights reserved for original authors