EN340
/ IN350 Global Haiku Tradition
Dr. Randy Brooks
Spring 2002 |
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No
Footprints
A
Haiku Collection
by
Justin Matthews
Haiku
have no clear-cut definition, format, or criteria. Some writers
of haiku that inspired me have very different feelings about
haiku. George Swede writes haiku that are very brief, that
are written in the present tense, and that usually contain
a reference to nature. Paul Miller (or paul m) writes haiku
that focus strongly on a moment, and usually contain a point
of self-discovery within the haiku. Randy Brooks has written
haiku that are honest, that put the readers in awe, and that
insert humor around moments involving sexuality, marriage,
or family.
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I
see haiku as an attempt to capture the moment. The moment
is what is important. Whether it is a daydream, a journey,
or a tragic event, the moment that inspired you to write about
it must be captured. Nature haiku almost always present brilliant
imagery to the reader. Haiku that show how the writer discovered
himself or herself are great too. Overall, when you write
haiku, the most important thing is what is important to you.
~Justin
Matthews
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puffy
clouds
perfect shape
of the grim reaper
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snow
on the path
no footprints
of any kind
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snow
on the mountaintop
location
unreachable
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sun
shines through the clouds
the patient opens
rested eyes
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blizzard
on the way
a small snow angel
slowly fades
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long
hike
the trail disappears
into the pines
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a
rengay with Angie Williams
calm
blue water—
the sky grows dark
his reflection slowly fades
jm
water
lillies dance
in
the cool breeze
aw
distant
lightning flashes
a robin
retreats into the woods
jm
silence
all around:
calm
before the storm
aw
violent
wind:
the boat begins to sway
jm
leaves
tumble
ripples
on water
purple
sky
aw
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©2002
Randy Brooks, Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois || all rights reserved
for original authors
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