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Why Haiku?

Writer's picture: Justin H. BriggsJustin H. Briggs

This past Thanksgiving, while hiking the Konza Prairie Nature Trail with my Love, we came upon a sight which many surely see upon the trail, but perhaps few fully understand. If you have never been to the Konza, whether you live in MHK or not, I fully recommend a jaunt along the path. Nature in abundance. 


We parked, crossed the bridges spanning King’s Creek near the entrance, and made our way to the first trailhead. There were few souls upon the prairie that morning. Were we to take the leftward trail, we would quickly be climbing a rise to a bluff overlooking the entirety of the Konza. We chose to take the right path, heading in the direction of the former homestead.


Along the southern path, toward another trailhead less than a mile away, we were immersed in the trees and foliage of a sunny fall day. Low sun, few clouds, a bit of a crisp in the air. We passed through a glen and came out upon a plain with trees lining the creek to the West and a rise to the East. 


King's Creek.
King's Creek.

There are trees, too, upon the rise, as if the prairie anticipated the need for the walking trail to be lined with adornments. But one tree in particular can catch any eye. This tree is a burnt out shell of a tree, one which got caught in a controlled burn and gutted, but insolently still stands against the wind. The tree is charcoal black, leafless, and surely dead.


Upon seeing this tree, things clicked in my awareness of myself. This tree was me, I was the tree. We have both been through the fire and still stand, though the damage is evident at first glance. Were I to write all my grievances, my pains, my fears, and my losses, there would be little inspiration to be found within the words.


But this tree still stands. Haiku forces one's creativity into a structure wherein expression may constructively manifest. The words need not overwhelm, for when put together in the proper form, they may impart an understanding to the inexperienced, or an acceptance to those after the flames. Haiku is a form of writing which allows for an expression of an idea with simplicity, conveying thoughts generally relatable.




The Burnt Out
The Burnt Out

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©2025 by Justin H. Briggs.

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