Haiku: To See What's Really There

Haiku is a poetry form without metaphor or simile. Instead, it uses concrete images to convey that "aha" moment of heightened awareness, common to the influences of Samurai and Buddhist traditions. In this way, haiku - simple but complex - enables us to write about our direct, immediate experience as we learn, according to Haiku Master Matsuo Basho, to "see what's really there. In this course, we will take a close look at the form and structure of the haiku poem: its economy of language, use of juxtaposition, and its short phrases. Then we will try our hands at writing haiku using easy, fun prompts that bring us to the detail of the present moment. All are welcome to this supportive and fun course. 

Instructor: Jeanne Martin

Sections

Instructor

Jeannie Martin, MSW, Ed.D, writing teacher and poet who has taught at the Cambridge Center since 2008.