Zen Haiku • Fall 2022
Dr. Randy Brooks

Cursive Dreams

by
Olivia Swords

This course truly impacted my perception of the world around me, particularly in nature-centric settings. I have often found myself unable to fully absorb the beauty and simplicity of nature, but several of the Zen tenets have forced me to work past this. I had very little experience with writing haiku prior to taking this course, so I learned a great deal from the Zen tenets and reading the haiku of accomplished poets. While I employed each of the tenets within my writing throughout this semester, I have already seen the impacts of their messages as I observe and understand the beauty of nature, even in unexpected moments and places.

she stands
trapped in the frame
greeting visitors

the stubborn tick
of the ruby hand
i click my heels

beneath the glimmer
the dimmed theatre is
lonely

the moon crescendos
as the sun
reaches its finale

a record spins
without pause
dust darkens the room

the itch
of a monarch
upon my finger

cursive touch
my weary fingers
find solace

droplets smear
across faded ink
crinkling in the sun

yesterday's artwork
          disappears down the drive
                                afternoon rain

thin pages
crinkling under wrinkled fingers
as drops of coffee stain

no falling
into a rabbit hole
covered by snow

charcoal
shades her eyes
dark as the night