How to Write a Haiku by Naomi Beth Wakan
Details confuse me, so when I see a rose, although I do not know its pedigree, I write down “rose.” And when I cut it, I do not know whether I should cut it on a slant or straight, or under water twice, so I write down “cut.” And when I put it in a vase, I do not know whether it is raku or glaze, or, perhaps good plastic, so I write down “vase.” and when I see two red leaves on the earth beside the rose bush, I do not know from which tree they have fallen so I write down “red leaves.” And as I set the vase and the leaves on the table, I write down
rose just cut beside the vase two red leaves
And although I do not know the details of what I have just done, the sadness of it all cracks my heart open.
This poem first appeared in Segues (Toronto: Wolsak and Wynn, 2005) and Sex After 70 and Other Poems (Toronto: Bevalia Press, 2010). This poem should be required reading for all students of haiku. To learn more about Naomi and her many wonderful books, please visit her website.
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