Just when I think I've learned all the tricks up his sleeve, the ever impressive, devilishly clever David Lehman finds a way to wow us, yet again! In this week's installment of Next Line, Please, Mr. Lehman chooses the best of the best autumn haikus from a ground-breaking, record-setting three hundred and eighty-three submissions and comments. But he doesn't stop there. Mr. Lehman also ventures to write the entire post in haikus, from the introductory comments to the promise of another prompt next week.
Here is a taste of some seasonally spiced haikus:
Michael C. Rush
The fog at dawn asks
the falling leaves leaving fall
to wait for winter.
Angela Ball
"Trees Along Highway 49 between Jackson and Hattiesburg"
Monomania
of pines, a long shot of gold,
a headdress of red.
Paul Michelsen
"America in Fall"
Morning has seized us
Orchards flung out on the land
Backward into light
And lastly, a translation of Basho's most famous haiku:
David Lehman
Pond
Frog
Splash!
Visit the American Scholar's page to read more or to enter into the next competition!
Virginia Valenzuela