EN170 Haiku Writing Roundtable • Fall 2005 Dr. Randy Brooks

Raquel Burns

Haiku in the Mountains by Raquel Burns The Appalachian Mountains and the mountain people of Eastern Kentucky are what inspire and influence my most prized haiku. I lived in Elkhorn City, Kentucky for the summer to complete an acting internship for a thriving community theatre. I did more growing up in one summer in the mountains than in 18 years of suburban living. I'd like to imagine if I did grow up in the mountains, that the haiku in the last section of the second page are moments that would have occurred throughout a childhood and an early adolescence.

I have also included a Rengay style of haiku composed in conjunction with a dear companion of mine, Michael Knight. It is a rendering of mountain life, echoing, for the most part, of days gone by, of adventures, of quirky happenings, live and thumping bluegrass music, and the precious little moments to make us smile as we relive them in our advanced years. The majority of the haiku which you will read are based off of poetic, comic and historic moments which I experienced this summer and this Thanksgiving-- some of the most glorious times of my entire life.

over the creek testing each stepping stone . . . woops!

there where the mountain meets the sky my prayers go

cross-legged on the mountaintop the rhythm of my breath wind

snowflakes caught in his lashes melting as he smiles

cupped in father's open hand his father's prized pocket watch

The Mountains morning mist at the peaks jack pines sway head of the holler ruts in the road barefoot on the porch chew glass overflowing telling me a tale moonshine stills loud banjo pickin’ sewing circle gossip pin pricked fingers littleuns trying to keep up bathtime in the wash tub muddy pawprints evening bible reading iced tea papaw Leo snores cliff-diving with Kinny long walk home Raquel Burns & Michael Knight

© 2005, Randy Brooks • Millikin University
All rights returned to authors upon publication.