Kristin Card Garry Gay's Haiku & Photography

Through My Eyes: Haiku by Kristin Card Hello my name is Kristin Card and I am a junior Experimental Psychology major. I first learned of haiku from this my Global Haiku class I took this spring semester of 2002. I was born and raised in a small town in Southern Illinois called Alton. I am 20 years old and come from a family of seven. I have three sisters all older than I and I had a brother who was tragically killed in a car accident 13 years ago. Much of the haiku in my collection has been written about experiences that have changed my life, such as the deaths in my family. I also like to write about things I have seen others encounter as well in their lifetime. Many of my works stem from my family, friends, and soccer experiences also. Nature is a big element in my work because I live on a farm and ever since I was a small child I have been playing outside and spending most of my days in the sun with my neighbor friends and sisters.

In writing haiku, I have learned about my inner feelings and myself and have found such a good way to express the way I am feeling. I have created a way to bring the negative feelings out and put them to good use. In class I conducted an author study on Garry Gay, he is a very profound man and I was greatly inspired by his work, along with Michael Dylan Welch, because they incorporate their photography to the haiku they write. I am inspired tremendously by the work they have done and I find much of my inspiration also comes from pictures. When I am with my friends I am always happy, so then I just think of writing haiku. I find so much joy in the fact that I can write haiku because I did not think I had any type of poetic insight in me. Here is my signature haiku and one of my favorites. morning chill I snuggle into the covers This was one of my favorites because it really explains how I am in the morning when I don’t want to wake up. I am NOT a morning person and especially when the room is cold when I wake up because then I desperately want to snuggle deeper into the covers. I think everyone could understand where I was coming from because I am sure they have been through this at least once. I like to write haiku other reader can see eye to eye with me. Here is another haiku, which is very close to my heart. bad news at the kitchen table tears like a flowing river five lives changed forever This haiku was written about my brother when my sisters and I had found out that he had been killed. What a tragic days this was for us. I can still remember it like it was yesterday and every detail just runs through my mind. Reader Responses morning chill I snuggle into the covers This haiku gives a great sense of comfort. The phrase "morning chill" is easy for everyone to relate to because it is a common experience. There are many morning were I would like to forget about my responsiblities and snuggle into my covers. This haiku does a great job of capturing a very common feeling. —Krista Duffett This haiku is so snuggly. I can relate to it so much. the word snuggle is a textured word and it really makes this haiku unique. So many times in the morning I feel like I just want to snuggle into my covers a little longer. Especially because when you wake up it's typically a little chilly outside the covers. I can see the color here, I picture a big white comforter. I can smell the freshness of the sheets. I really enjoyed this haiku. —AJ Cunningham