D. T. Suzuki, a Zen Buddhist writer, once said that a “haiku does not express ideas but puts forward images reflecting intuitions.” But how do you hone that intuitive ear or sensor? Yesterday I went hiking, and though I was surrounded by amazing images: crimson maple leaves, chiseled grey rocks, yellow bushes set against a backdrop of a forest burn, cerulean sky, a passel of yellow butterflies, I had only images. No haiku. Perhaps, my restless hiking made the deep seeing necessary to creating good haiku hard--if not impossible--to accomplish. True Basho walked that narrow road to the interior, but he did stop for moon viewing, cherry blossom pilgrimages, and frog tête-à-têtes. So for now all I have is this brilliant fall vista to contemplate and sore ankles and knees along with a refreshed spirit.
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