Can U Haiku?   

The exhibition John Wisseman: Postmodern Constructs, Japanese-Style, afforded visitors an opportunity to respond to the large colored drawings in the form of original haikus which were then posted next to the original works of art. John Michael Albert, 8th Portsmouth (NH) Poet Laureate, responded in-kind with his own original haiku. Some of these creative thoughts and responses include:

Original:
I saw a big bear / Wanted to give me a scare. / He did not scare me!

Response:
Terror is pointless. / Hiding in the dark, a waste. / Open to wonder!
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Original:
Japan calls / Colors bright / Long Ago

Response:
Picture on the wall: / riot of colors, shapes, forms. / Outside, fall’s deep song.
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Original:
Even the brightest / Star must face its own demise. / Explosion-black hole.

Response:
Mutability: / to grow, everything must change. / Stars bud, bloom and blow.
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Original:
The invasive plant / Kills off all my native loves / My heart cries for space

Response:
Who’s invading what? / On this blue marble, it’s all / the square dance of life.
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Original:
The old, far away, / And curiously colored / Breathe in fresh again.

Response:
Reflect on the past / or envision the future. / Both are in the “now.”
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Original:
Forms and color / Spatial Awareness / Co-Created Divinely.

Response:
Artists are makers. / They make from what they’re given. / Praise to the givers.
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Original:
Snow in the autumn / Now it is winter, alas / Breathe deep the cold air.

Response:
How long must you live / before change is the rule and / not the exception?
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Original:
We love calculus. / Anti-differentiate: / It means integrate.

Response:
Small stone in my shoe, / calculus to a new path. / “Thank you, little stone.”
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Original:
Flourescent lake / The trout don’t have / Any gills.

Response:
The water shudders. / Trout leaps for hovering mayfly. / Memories don’t need gills.
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Original:
Clear basin of ice / With bright blood spilt over it— / had hoped it was wine

Response:
Life’s disappointments: / sour grapes and green apples. / Something new to learn?