Adam Stefo

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kasen-no-renga
Smoke Screen

Opera Kasen

Adam Stefo on Wally Swist

Introduction

When I think about my approach to writing haiku, I think about how it has changed over the course of the semester. I began in an outside-the-box, abstract mindset that appealed to me, but not many others. I still like those haiku, but more for their imagery, and not “haikuness”. I think a turning point for me was discovering the connection between haiku, and Zen practices. It made my work more concise and simple without as many elaborations aside from just presenting the image without bias subjectivity. I think that is where the heart of haiku lies, in its ability to reach as many people as possible, it should present something in the universe, and thus should be universal. A single author should be able to touch people from all approaches of life.

The title for this collection comes from what I think is the strangest haiku that I have written this semester. Instead of giving you my two cents, I give you my “Loose Change”. I think it speaks to my slightly skewed vision of life whether it be through the more sentimental images, the ironic, or just the strange. I hope you are able to enjoy the work I have provided here. Because it is not what I think of my poetry that counts, it is much more what you, the reader, are able to get from it; a chuckle, a shed tear, and scathing look, or a warm swell. As long as you allow not only my haiku, but all haiku to affect you, and think about the images presented and the images it evokes in you, then the haiku has been successful, whether or not it contains cherry blossoms, chrysanthemums, or a pound and half of pennies.

On the haiku for which this collection is titled, I cannot say why this haiku has struck me so profoundly.

This is not the most dazzling example of haiku, but I think the reason that I keep coming back to it is because of the line break. I think it adds an element of suspense to the piece. What did Jerry eat? Poison? Something he is allergic to? Pennies!? I think for me it is this mindset that must be kept while reading my work. I don’t always go for the conventional, I don’t aim to make people uncomfortable, but it happens from time to time. What I suggest to the reader is to leave any semblance of propriety and manners at the door when you begin my collection and allow the haiku to hit you with raw emotion and to read it over again to see how many feelings arouse in you. Anger first. Then laughter? Then…

Adam Stefo
St. Louis, MO

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Reader’s Introduction

One of my favorite things about both the haiku and personality of Mr. Adam Stefo has always been his biting, cynical sense of humor, and this collection does not disappoint. With unapologetic bluntness, Adam points out some of life’s most pathetic members in a way that, despite the nagging knowledge that you’re going to hell, makes you laugh anyway.

Adam has also shared with his readers another talent in haiku which I find even more admirable. Within this collection, Adam touches on some of life’s most vulnerable moments, from young love to quiet moments of thought and being. Moreover, he has a knack for finding the reader’s strongest heartstring and plucking it with such intensity that this reader found herself literally speechless on numerous occasions. With the same complete honesty that makes his humorous haiku so funny, he presents these more tender moments with such intimacy and frankness that the emotions of that moment are transferred directly to the reader’s own heart.

This collection is a deep look into some of life’s most intimate moments, and whether Adam’s haiku invite you to cry for them or point and laugh, you can’t escape being shaken up by them. So I beg the reader of this collection to quit dilly-dallying, and get into the good stuff. I promise, it will be well worth the time.

Stephanie Dietrich
Professional Gypsy