Pat Steadman

Author’s Introduction

When I first began writing haiku, I did not really have a grasp on the identity of my personal haiku. I did not think I had a theme that is consistent throughout most of my haiku. I did not think I had a style of writing haiku. However, throughout this semester, it appears as if a recurring theme in my haiku (as in many people’s) is the relationship between humanity and nature. The haiku selected for this chapbook represent those that exemplify my beliefs on the relationship between one and one’s surroundings. I believe that a person is intrinsically tied to his or her surroundings, and that there is a symbiotic relationship that exists between the two ends. Most of the selected haiku seen here depict images of man interacting with nature. So much of our lives are defined by moments in which we feel affected by our surroundings—not necessarily in a good or bad way, just affected. Instead of fighting against our surroundings, we should learn to be conducive to them; indeed, there is always a wind noisily pushing, and we ought to embrace its drive. —Pat Steadman

Forward

The haiku of Pat Steadman very much stand out as different among the works of authors today. The integration of (as well as Steadman’s love for) more contemporary literature shines through in his haiku, which depict his adventures through work, leisure, and life. Wind Noisily Pushing has been carefully pieced together to project the quintessential lifestyle of the Midwest-American college student in all his discomfited, indefinite glory. His depiction of such a tumultuous era in the life of today’s students is quirky, interesting, raw, and real. A troubadour of the everyman, Steadman recognizes the intended function and purpose behind his haiku and pursues it fervently to the very end. —B. A. Blankenship