Member-only story
Scarecrow
A haiku with a quiet reflection
scarecrow —
after one more snip
she buys a wig
—
The scarecrow stands in the autumn field, its untidy straw hair shifting in the breeze. There is something oddly familiar about its appearance, a figure assembled to look vaguely human, yet never quite succeeding.
Elsewhere, another small adjustment is being made before the mirror. Perhaps the scissors have become a familiar companion, each careful snip an attempt to make things look a little better. But there comes a moment when one more adjustment feels like one too many, and the decision to buy a wig offers a different kind of possibility.
There is gentle humour in the comparison, though perhaps a little sadness beneath it. Sometimes our efforts to improve something only make us more aware of what has changed. The scarecrow remains content with its unruly appearance, while she considers a new reflection.
First published on NaHaiWriMo.
Curious how these small moments become haiku? I’ve written a short guide called The Three-Minute Haiku System, which shows a simple way to turn an observation into a draft haiku in just a few minutes.
