PACE Global Haiku • January 2007 Dr. Randy Brooks

Annie Jones

Selected Haiku by Annie Jones Studying haiku has made me understand how concise writing in a few words can stimulate the reader in a creative way. When Americans want to explain an event, a process, a word, or a poem, the use of colorful adjectives have long been the most common used technique in writing. I agree with Eric W. Amann when he said the use of adjectives to qualify a noun limits the meaning of the noun. (Amann, E. , 1978. p, 11). So many times we read for entertainment or research. At any rate, the reading is someone else’s point of view as that individual sees the subject. You as the reader are limited to thinking with only the information provided. As a result our role, as the reader is insignificant to the subject, unless we can quote other author's perception of the subject matter to support your view. Haiku allows the reader range to roam. You can understand the word love as you understand love is to you and there is no right or wrong way to understand the concept of love. In three lines composed of fewer than seventeen syllables, the reader is allowed to take part in the development of a work or process or an event.

one firefly in my room just one

i hear my footsteps the chill on my face husband’s warm hand

silence all around no words spoken between us lips warm as they meet

sun so far away bright as a diamond light brown eyes

© 2007, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.