An Interchanging Poetry Expression Of Haiku In The Past, Present, And Future

Haiku is both a type of poetic pattern and a way of experiencing the world. This short, 17-syllable form, usually written in three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable count, focuses our attention on a single, insightful moment. (1)

Nature is the most popular theme of Haiku lovers and many believe it describes the purest form intended for writing Haiku. I believe Haiku is the reflection of what I see at a particular time related to any theme or subject. I write Haiku because it is simple yet complex in its ability to describe the past, present and future. Haiku is my way of expressing in 17 simple syllables what my mind's eye describes as the event occurring in the moment.

As the past, how does Haiku relate to history? From the days of slavery to the present Haiku reminds prejudice in today's world is thriving; allowing that:

Hate Survives.

Prejudice learned

now encapsulates willing souls

only hate survives

When I wrote this Haiku, my thoughts were specific to how prejudice is taught to young impressionable minds willing to accept the teaching. They are willing because the teaching comes from those they trust the most, their family members. Once learned, the hate of prejudice remains the fuel spreading its influence generation to generation until it is the only emotion that survives.

In the present, the educational requirements in our primary and secondary school systems change daily. The controlling factions for educational development are more politically orientated toward curriculum that satisfy psychological and sexual orientation leaving little time for courses related to the arts, science, and in particular:

Basic Skills.

basic skills decline

educational collapse

society fails

We see the lack of basic skill everyday on the internet, texting, general communication, reading and writing. The decline in basic skill is devastating resulting in what is being referred to as "the dumbing down of America." This Haiku demonstrates the critical relationship between basic skill, education and society as a whole.

In the future, as an American, I am torn between the right for someone to burn our flag and my personal belief the burning is more than just a protest, but is a much deeper problem that is not considered. I am convinced, we should remember the relationship between freedom and our...

American Flags.

American flags,

the right to destroy is yours;

as is your freedom

Throughout our history, the flag has been the symbol under which freedom is proclaimed. Burning the flag may be a right, but is it a right we want to exercise? I wonder, with a flippant attitude toward allowing the desecration of our most cherished symbol of freedom, what is the prognosis of freedom for future generations?

As we progress through life, we live our experiences through actions and deeds of histories past, our present related through books, our educational opportunities, and genealogy and our future a reflection of what we reserve moving forward.

Based on these experiences, and the beauty of diversity of experience, we receive the gift of all existence written as Haiku.

(1) Haiku History: http://www.cranberrydesigns.com/poetry/haiku/history.htm

Mac McGovern writes poetry, ezine articles, and blogs, visit his personal website at: http://allpoetry.com/mac_mcgovern for more Haiku Poetry.

"No matter what you write, someone will love it."