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Writing Haiku on the RightSide of the Brain
By: Edward A Weiss
Most haiku writers and teachers suggest you look at nature closely and examine what's happening in the present moment. A good way to get into the haiku mindset but it's not the only way.
Listen to this?it's important that you get in a right-brain mode before composing haiku. Why? Because you're best material will always come when you're not connected to the analytical thinking left hemisphere. Here's how I do it.
First, I don't examine nature nor do I look at things then try and capture a haiku moment. I do it all in my head. Why? Because this is how I get in right-brain mode! If I look at, let's say, a tree and wonder what to say about it, I'm thinking and no longer can access that special part of me that knows intuitively what to say.
Now, I'm not saying that working in your head is the best way or the only way to write haiku. I am saying that if it works for you do it. If looking at a nature scene does it for you then that is what you should do.
I'm always amazed at how many rules teachers can come up with for how to write haiku. Some say you must observe closely. Yes, you can do this and you can also observe in your mind's eye as well. If you can see a scene, visualize a picture in your mind and you write a haiku poem about it, that poem is just as valid as one that is created "on site" so to speak. Whatever gets you in right-brain mode will work.
Edward A. Weiss is a poet, author, and publisher of Wisteria Press. He has been helping students learn how to write haiku for many years and has just released his first book "Seashore Haiku!" Get 2 FREE haiku poems in your inbox every Monday! Sign up for our free newsletter the Wisteria Gazette! Visit http://wisteriapress.com |  |