EN340
/ IN350 Global Haiku Tradition
Dr. Randy Brooks
Spring 2003 |
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Mary Reed |
Until You Return
A Personal Collection of
Haiku
by
Mary
Reed
Writing
haiku has proved to be a very good experience for me this
semester. My life seems to move at a fast pace all the time,
and trying to write haiku forced me to slow down and take
time to notice the small moments I would usually not take
a second look at. In studying haiku, I found that I do not
like haiku with a nature theme, but rather ones that deal
with human life and events. Of the haiku I have written,
my favorite ones are undoubtedly those that deal with human
nature. I drew most of my inspiration from personal memories
and experiences that struck me as significant. I was also
influenced by the research I did on Jack Kerouac and his
American Pop haiku. When I look at this collection, I see
myself and my life put in black and white on the page in
front of me.
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Reader
Introduction
The
images that Mary evokes through her haiku are very powerful.
Mary seems to excel at writing senryu. With each word,
Mary seems to create a portrait for the mind with her
extensive usage of sensory words. Brilliant colors and
textures are used throughout her collection. Mary has
mastered the ability to write both funny, light haiku
and meaningful, serious haiku marvelously. It seems that
with her view of the world, Mary gives light to a different
aspect of life through her haiku. Mary captures moments
in life that not many people focus on. Because of these
moments her haiku are nothing less than wonderful. Enjoy!
—Candace
Golden
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parting
doors
reveal the face
of antcipation
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green eyes fixed on passing strangers
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in
the next room
something moved—
I'll check it out
(a
cat haiku)
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resting
on her mother's bosom
the girl smiles and falls
into memories
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a
small boy clenches
the American flag
military honors
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sudden
dark sky
afternoon picnic
on the kitchen table
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crisp
yellow sundress
smudged
by tiny fingers
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late
night snowstorm
only cigarette smoke
ventures past the awning
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Ash
Wednesday
Dear God,
do cigarette ashes count?
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stood
up again
another quarter
in the poker machine
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full
glass of beer
small bubbles race
to the surface
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©2003
Randy Brooks, Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois || all rights
reserved for original authors
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