Simple & True:
My Personal Haiku Collection
by

Amy Twardowski

Global Haiku Tradition
Millikin University, Spring 2001


Amy Twardowski

Simple & True: My Personal Haiku Collection

Haiku is a highly personalized form of expression. Each individual author reflects upon their own experiences and thoughts when creating new pieces of work. No two authors will appeal to a reader in the same way because each haiku writer is blessed with a style all their own. Great haiku do not all mold to one definition—what may not seem great to one reader may be outstanding to another.

Individuals take different approaches to writing haiku. Some authors choose one specific focus and zero in on that in their writing; others write about a wide variety of subjects, with no one specific topic adhered to. Writing haiku is a very person task with on the writer knowing what subjects suit them best. My approach to haiku involves a focus upon everyday simplicities in life. In writing my haiku, I reflect on the moments and emotions that have had an impact upon me. I sometimes try to put myself in others' shoes and see life from a different point of view. My haiku allow all readers in , because of the focus on simple, everyday things that everyone can relate to in one way or another.

I often struggle with writing. Adequately expressing myself through words has never been one of my strengths. Writing haiku allows me to go beyond the norm and to express myself through a different avenue. With my haiku, I am able to express my thoughts and feelings about everyday occurences in life. At the same time, my haiku are appealing to others because readers can derive their own meaning from my haiku and also gain an insight in to my thoughts. My haiku give a perspective on all of the simple and true things in everyday life.

—Amy Twardowski

outside the car window
he shouts
tears soak her sleeve

she stands alone
he blows a kiss
as the whistle sounds

kids fill the park
she sobs
her puppy still missing

  

 

carrying his tray
he smiles
my stomach flutters

the children run
rabbits
through the wheat-field

  

 

warm spring breezes
bend the lilies
in grandma's garden

he brushes her hair
in the morning sun . . .
first day of school

  

 

Dad holds my hand
along the shore
geese honk for more

first date
her sunburnt shoulders
glow beneath the moonlight

  

 

daylight arrives
yet still unanswered
are her prayers

old friends
silent in the park
twilight approaches

  

 

she sits alone
gazing out the window
children run through the sprinkler

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