Edition #1
Are You Into Haikus?
Short poems from Writers and Editors of Color
Long before becoming an essayist, I fell in love with poetry. Something about packing a big message into a bite-sized package still feels liberating. So while I adore reading sonnets like the ones William J Spirdione writes, I’m also keen on many haikus written by Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) and Melanie J. Writing poetry is like sculpting, refining your ideas into lyrical form.
As a tween, I attended New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. As young writers, we had the freedom to find a spot on campus to write. My favorite spot was on the green. There, I could bask in the sun as my words found their way onto the page.
After writing, my classmates and I returned to our classroom to share and discuss one another’s poetry. We strengthened our skills by listening to one another, asking for clarity, and encouraging growth. While I enjoyed my time there, I did not enjoy being the only Black student in the class.
Now, I choose to collaborate and work with some writers who look like me. We write together, learn from one another, and most importantly, support one another. Last Friday, I issued a Haiku challenge. Their beautiful words came pouring in.
Each tells a story about the world we share and the characters we meet along the way. So, I invite you to take a walk on the wild side and read some amazing poetry written by Writers and Editors of Color. This is our first short-and-sweet challenge. But, it won’t be our last.
https://medium.com/writers-and-editors-of-color/are-you-into-haikus-84c4d6547f57
