For years, my friend Bill had a bumper sticker that read, “Kill Your Television”, so I’m sure this haiku will interest him. It’s by Joseph Massy:

television light

lies on the

American lawn

Haiku has been used for social commentary in the U.S. for a long time. People like Langston Hughes, e.e. cummings, Allen Ginsberg, Gary Snyder, and Jack Kerouac have all written haiku. Here’s one by Langston Hughes:

Suicide’s Note:

The calm

cool face of the river

asked me for a kiss

Here is one by Pris Campbell:

sixties breadwinner

the boss’s hand

on my breast

And by Stephen Peters:

homeless camp

other things on their mind

besides Thanksgiving

There isn’t any subject that is off limits in poetry, be it suicide, politics, homelessness, or whatever, and that certainly goes for haiku. You can use your haiku to make a statement, or simply for fun or entertainment. The point is to stretch your mind and imagination to see what you can come up with, and have fun with it!