Open AccessInviting Connection Through the Gap in Haiku
Author(s) -
Philomene Kocher
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
language and literacy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1496-0974
DOI - 10.20360/g29g6c
Subject(s) - haiku , poetry , reading (process) , simplicity , meaning (existential) , curriculum , aesthetics , psychology , art , literature , pedagogy , linguistics , philosophy , epistemology , psychotherapist
My M.Ed. research focused on using haiku poetry as a way of connection with persons with dementia within an established spiritual care setting. As foundation for this research, I exploredthe connection-building capacity of the gap created by the juxtaposition in haiku. Seventeen experienced haiku poets (including myself as both researcher and poet) responded to surveyquestions about the intuitive process of writing and reading haiku. The responses illuminate how the simplicity of haiku can paradoxically hold profound meaning through the connections withself, other, and environment. Haiku may have potential in curriculum beyond language arts into environmental studies.