PACE Global Haiku • PACE February 2010 |
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faces of me by In the past five weeks I’ve realized that haiku is more than the 5, 7, 5 verse I was previously taught. Now I see haiku as an experience. By incorporating nature and strong visual imagery, haiku often becomes an emotional journey that connects with readers in a way traditional poetry often fails to. I’ve named my Haiku Collection "faces of me" because the haikus included are all special experiences that I’ve had through people I’ve know or through journeys that I’ve traveled. They are all essentially the different people that I have been through the experience that shaped me into who I am now. The haiku in faces of me travels throughout the journey of my life, from images and memories that represent my youth, through all the events that have made me, me. While experts debate if haikus should be composed from the writer’s imagination or from life experiences, I find my best haikus are from real life events. My haikus are inspired by relationships that I’ve had with important people in my life, mainly my father who passed away, my husband, and my children. Additionally, I’m often inspired by beautiful images and colors in nature. I think that haiku inspired by emotional experiences in my life translate well into verses that are meaningful to others. My favorite part of haiku is the sentiment that is encompassed in it. It amazes me the amount of emotion that can be articulated with so few words. Additionally, I find it incredible that those same few of words can create such vivid visual images. My absolute favorite aspect of haiku is that it provides me with an outlet to express myself to others. Without having to tell a complete story haiku allows writers to express thoughts and allows readers to relate it with their own feelings and memories. |
the angry child shouts |
family reunion |
morning glories |
faces of stone |
blue uniform on the floor |
alone |
© 2010, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.