Natural Observation

Observation is the essence of haiku, and particularly, observation of nature. A poem that hopes to focus on the present, ought to have its origins in a specific moment in a specific present, in other words, in a real observation by the poet.

This could be accomplished by looking out the window, without thinking about things that went right (or wrong) at work, without making a mental list of household chores---or fretting over what the doctor said.

The primary observation could be made while shoveling the driveway, pulling weeds in the garden, or walking along a wooded trail. It could be a smell, or a sound.

Not everything in nature is beautiful. To face things as they are, rather than as we wish they could be, takes discipline, and honesty.

Here is one I wrote today:

fresh white snow
something is always growing
cold feet

This involved my observation of a change in the weather, the new snow in the morning, and then coupling change to growth and fear. Real cold feet, and metaphorical cold feet. Both.

My name is Rae Hallstrom, and Ameriku® is my art and my business and my brand.

I hope you'll take a look (move cursor to title and click), and see if Ameriku® art suits your decor, or gift giving needs. And feel free to leave a comment here, if you wish.

Ameriku Ltd produces nature-oriented art prints, posters, greeting cards and other items, based on my original haiku and photography.

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