PACE Global Haiku • PACE November 2014
Dr. Randy Brooks

Allusion to Illusion

by
Paul Mercer

My approach to haiku is very simple and direct. I generally will just sit and think on a subject. Sometimes the haiku almost write themselves. Other times much more thinking is involved. During these time I treat the haiku like a ball of clay. I usually have a general idea of what I want to say. I just have to spend a little time molding the words until they take the shape that I want. The most important thing I have learned is don't force the haiku. If it doesn't develop then it doesn't develop. I simply walk away from it for a while and come back to later with a fresh approach.

allusion to illusion
the magician promises
what isn't real

a card chosen
he knows it's
five of spades

October chill
the little clown
collects candy

the red winter guard
stands by a bucket of change
softly rings his bell

in the woods
found more ticks
than birds

bicycle lying in the yard
six of clubs
stuck in the spoke

bad magic act
the audience
vanishes

the last railcar
in the crossing
the train stops

dad shines his boots
he'll be gone
for the weekend

moving day
Uhaul
stuck in the snow

reading haiku
not much
to say

the pantry is full
of nothing
to eat