Karen Currie

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

Karen Currie

My Haiku Masterpieces

This is my first introduction to haiku. The haiku I was most impressed with were those that told a story. I am not a nature type of person, so it was difficult for me to imagine most of the haiku that deal with nature. If readers aren't exposed to certain life experiences, it may be difficult to relate to certain haiku. Masajo Suzuki and George Swede were the two haiku poets that I was able to relate to the most. My haiku collection tells a story of some of my life experiences. What I want the reader to do is to imagine and bring their own memories to my haiku.

a tear wiped
from the eye of a child
a father weeps

awakened
by his touch
both annoying and comforting

needle in her arm
through the window I watch
a child on the floor

the door opens—
in from the rain
she runs

for drying
she stops

to the bed
she races him
shaking—

loud thunder
under the bed she hides

I find her
in darkness
licking herself

Karen Currie and Daughter (Jennifer)

Winter Night

red brick chimney
swirling white
wisps of smoke              JL

another log
the fire roars                   KC

midnight sky
scent of embers
welcoming me                JL

warming my hands
yellow flames
day ending                      KC

dancing flames
sleeping faces                  JL

winter's chill
fading
tomorrow's sunrise           KC

Karen Currie and Jeanne Luckenbill

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