Selected Haiku
by

Jennifer Richmiller

Global Haiku Tradition
Millikin University, Spring 2000

This semester in Global Haiku class I have learned many things. First of all I discovered to notice the little moments in life. Second, I discovered how to write about these precious moments in my life. I believe I was very fortunate to be able to have had the opportunity to begin to understand the process of haiku.

When I first began the class I was very timid. I was never really one for writing poetry and I have never really had any attempts on writing haiku. After about the first week though I realized that it wasn't too bad. My first couple attempts were rather slow starting but once I got the ball rolling I was rather impressed with some of my results. I also thought others were improving if not beginning to master the haiku world.

The Global Haiku Festival held at Millikin this year was a great experience. To see the masters of haiku and watch them interact among each other was great. I believe it takes a special kind of person to write haiku, it takes people who enjoy life and take time to look at the little moments. One writer began to swing on the swings on our gingko walk. This is a prime example of someone enjoying life, and not afraid to let anything stop him. I am glad I got the opportunity to have watched the masters in their process of writing their haiku during the gingko walk.

I believe it takes a special kind of person to write haiku—it takes people who enjoy life and take time to look at the little moments.

I would like to thank Dr. Brooks for putting so much work and effort into things like the Festival. This class has helped in me in so many ways, and it does not all including the writing aspect of haiku. I catch myself all the time walking on campus somewhere and see something and than think of a haiku about it. I don’t always write those haiku down (I guess I should start doing that) but it’s the fact that I sought out a moment and I wanted to write about it. Thanks.

—Jenny Richmiller

Sitting on the porch
my ear pressed against the radio
waiting for the next batter

Summer evening—
children of the neighborhood screaming
"Ghost in the Graveyard!"

rural highway—
combine’s blinkers
flash to the rhythm of my radio

  

 

in the computer lab
last minute paper
the orange light flashes

letter in the mail—
her hands tremble
as she holds it up to the light

  

 

waiting
along with her dog
on my girlfriend’s porch

lying on the beach—
the sun suddenly flashes
as seagulls fly above

  

 

Bailing hay—
the pattering of rain
on the tin roof

An unforgettable night—
the boy silently climbs
back into his window

  

 

Walking through the forest
I hold my breathe
and listen       for the silence

Living so close to my
next door neighbor
  ee
p   king through their window

  

©2001 Randy Brooks, Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois || all rights reserved for original authors