What Is a Haiku? A Reflection on Slow Growth and Becoming

It’s been a while since I left teaching.

But sometimes, I still find myself reminiscing, those moments when little curious minds would surprise me with their thoughts, their questions, their way of seeing the world.

There was something special about that.
The kind of wonder that didn’t overthink, just felt.

And it reminds me of something I’ve been reflecting on lately.

Many people think poems are only for the artsy-fartsy.

But I think they’ve got it all wrong.

Poetry isn’t about being fancy.
It’s about noticing. Feeling. Capturing a moment.

And not all poems have to be complicated.

In fact, here’s one of my favourite, and easiest, forms to write:

Haikus.

A haiku is a simple 3-line poem, following a 5–7–5 syllable structure.
But more than that, it captures a moment… quietly, honestly.

And maybe that’s why I’ve been drawn to it.

Because this season of my life feels a lot like that too,
simple, steady, and slowly unfolding.

Here’s mine:

Clay beneath my nails
Tiny blooms teach me patience
Joy grows, piece by piece

Maybe poetry isn’t just for poets.

Maybe it’s for anyone learning how to pause,
and notice the beauty in becoming 🌿

And maybe… you could try writing one too.

Think about your current season, what you’ve been feeling, building, learning.

Put it into 3 simple lines.

You might surprise yourself.