EN340 / IN350 Global Haiku Tradition
Dr. Randy Brooks
Millikin University PACE November 2004
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AnnaJohnson
Anna Johnson

 

FEELINGS FROM WITHIN

I am writing my own haiku, and to tell you the truth, it is kind of frightening. How will the world criticize my work although I am a novice at this writing. Having studied Japanese and American haiku, I now have a better understanding of how haiku came about. I like the American haiku because you can write what you are feeling or observing, sometimes they make sense and sometimes they do not. I think that my haiku fall into that category of sometimes not making sense. The following haiku are those of my own thoughts, there are two that I did with another student, but I think it was good work. I love the fact that learning about haiku has taught me to be more creative.

 

family album
holding my daughter
in the curve of my arm

late at night
scent of baby soap
memories of the past

heated argument
     scrubbing the kitchen floor
on hands and knees

  

 

Winter Walk

chattering teeth
  frozen digits
wind through my pants

winter walk
flashing beacon--
emergency call

calm water
ducks call
the steam from our breath

bare limbs
   bowing--
neglected for the winter.

snow flurries
Christmas lights
in the distance of the lake.

park bench
frozen in place
only warmed by the humming lights.

by Anna Johnson & Kendra Lee

Welcome Motherhood

exciting news
new expectations
frightening world of motherhood       AJ

first picture frame-
encloses a peanut          KL

belly stretching
kicks and punches
hiccups all night long          AJ

visualizing for the first time-
awestruck at the sight of her          KL

alone in bed
the unborn
invades my dreams          KL & AJ

sweet thoughts of baby girl
I welcome motherhood          KL & AJ

Kendra Lee and Anna Johnson

 

©2004 Randy Brooks, Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois || all rights reserved for original authors