PACE Global Haiku • January 2009
Dr. Randy Brooks

What Lies Beneath

by
Jacquelyn Manicki

When I began this haiku class, I believed all haiku was written the way we were taught in school: 5-7-5 format. After being in this class, I realize it is much more than that. Haiku is a special verse that is written so simply in order to invoke thoughts, memories, or emotions, without the 5-7-5 framework. It is the simple language of tying these thoughts, feelings, and emotions that make haiku wonderful pieces of literature. I have learned so much from this class and I look forward to sharing this knowledge with my future students. I have learned to write beautiful pieces of haiku, emanating from my own experiences and moments of joy, sorrow, and childhood.

I am honored to have learned from one of the best teachers of haiku—Dr. Brooks: Thank you for sharing this remarkable world with me! I hope that this collection reflects what you have taught me.

I chose the title “What Lies Beneath,” because I thought it reflected the underlying meanings and emotions that some of my haiku evoke. I chose these particular haiku, because I feel that they are reflective of what I have learned and it also was a great way for me to express some of these emotions that I would never have shared with anyone else. I feel like I have released a lot of memories that were forgotten and this experience gave me a chance to revisit those memories and emotions.

Jacque Manicki
February 9, 2009

squeak, squeak—
higher and higher
we soar on the swings

the heat
I dive
into the cool water

dark, smoky bar
enjoying drinks
with the girls

fallen leaves
raked into a pile…
waiting for my turn

dog-eared
with a tattered cover
reading it . . . again

blinds raised
holding my diapered newborn
in the sunlight

dumb, fat, lazy . . .
I look in the mirror
believing his lies

First Anniversary
he says “I Love You”
with his fists

unbearable heat—
dressed in black
kneeling at my brother’s grave

The Neighborhood

through the missing slats
daisies catch the sun
sitting on her rocker with the broken rung

trash talkin'
on the court nearby

rhythmic thumping
chain link rattles
shadows run from the heat

their laughter rippling
from the open hydrant—
an ice-cold surprise

music in sidewalk puddles
splashing to the beat

a familiar tune
the driver stops...
we run to get a scoop

by Eris Eridanus & Jacque Manicki

Sunday Afternoon

warm summer breeze
alone on the bench
she feeds the ducks

lost in thought
memories pour

picking up the pace
running—
from his past

storm clouds
on the brink
rumbling of thunder

lightning crashes
rain falls from above

soaking wet…
their picnic uneaten
in the garbage can

by Jacque & Jackie Manicki