Haiku: Variations on a Theme

The following poems were inspired by two things. First, the form reflects the inspiration of the ancient Japanese style of Haiku. It is marvelous in its ability to express the essence of things. Both its beauty and power lie in its simplicity. I don't pretend to be anything but a novice at this art form. My second source of inspiration relates specifically to the content of these poems, namely the variation on the theme of change. This was inspired by my daughter, Hannah. Born under the sign of Cancer, change does not come easily to her. And isn't it typical that her life has been in a constant state of flux lately? Unfortunately, when you are 18, there is just no way of knowing that it takes about 40 or 50 years to get used to the idea of change. Once you arrive at such a wise old age, of course, you soon realize that there is no way to impart such wisdom to your 18-year-old daughter.

I am sure that there is a very good reason for this generational gulf. After all, what grown-up, mature 40-year-old would want to be forever trapped upon the emotional merry-go-round of 18? By the same token, just imagine what the world would lose should Hannah and all the other members of her generation of youth be suddenly thrust into the world of adult awareness. The mendacity alone would be more than enough to make the angels weep. The human world cannot afford to skip even one generation of its youth. And only in the honesty and freshness, the raw emotion and frankness of youth, can there lie any hope for improvement in this world, for our salvation, refreshment, transformation or revolution--in a word, change.

Change, of course, is not only what the world needs, according to every successive generation-- whether it needed it or not would make no difference. Change is exactly the one and only thing that is unavoidable and inevitable. Some may argue that death falls into the same category, a separate entity, but I would contend that death is merely another instance of change.

At any rate, the following haiku poems are offered in the spirit of humble edification, directed towards a generation that, for the most part, lacks the means to fully understand them. And for that, I remain eternally grateful.

Changes