John Byler

PACE Global Haiku • January 2006
Dr. Randy Brooks

John Byler

Rippling Water
Selected Haiku

by
John Byler

Haiku is a very relaxing form of expression. I enjoy the wordplay of the haiku—how the selection and rhythm of the words can affect the visual picture that the reader imagines. I also appreciate a haiku that allows readers to interpret the same haiku in different ways. I find my best haiku comes from those things that draw my interest or I have a strong feeling for. I chose the title rippling water because it conjures up a peaceful relaxing setting. In order to get the most out of haiku, you must let your mind wander to where the words take you. So relax and enjoy!

two grandmothers together
rinsing, rinsing
the New Year’s rice

fading sunset
flickers on
the pink marble cathedral

ceramic works of art
with a bit of a lean
created by my son

frost on the pumpkin
the horse’s breath
fogs the air

rippling water
a frog’s eyes survey
the water’s edge

I am an avid reader and one area that holds particular interest for me is studying history. When I go on vacation, I love to visit historical sites. I like the feeling of walking in the footsteps of historical figures and getting some perspective on what they saw and felt. Here are my haiku on the Civil War.

Good Friday
April 14, 1865
not so good for Abe

barefoot soldiers
searching for shoes
fireworks at Gettysburg

reading my letter
telling of war
to my grandchildren

sniper’s rifle
victim in my sights
that’s my brother

gray, overcast skies
and bone-chilling cold
the young widow

standard bearer
with flag held high
it still drags the ground

bugs in my bedroll
and holes in my shoes
longing for home

“Darkening clouds”

falling leaves
blanket
the fresh grave

two frost bitten hands
by the fireplace

snow enters
unbidden
through the drafty cabin door

across the room
the empty birdcage
rattles

the rhythm of the gentle rain
on the old tin roof

dressing
his daughter
in a yellow raincoat

John Byler & Matthew Lee

winter chill
wearing the housejackets
made just for us

Halloween night
grandmother’s wheelchair
becomes our cave

kites in the air
the young boy
grabs his father’s hand

ceramic works of art with a bit of a lean created by my son

rippling water a frog’s eyes survey the water’s edge

Halloween night grandmother’s wheelchair becomes our cave

ceramic works of art
with a bit of a lean
created by my son

rippling water
a frog’s eyes survey
the water’s edge

Halloween night
grandmother’s wheelchair
becomes our cave