Haiku Society of America
.haiku column
The Haiku Society of America is pleased to host this ongoing column.
.Haiku: a place to share tools available to haiku writers and fellow haiku fans (like how to use Twitter, Facebook and Scribd for building community, self-publishing and marketing). The column will also feature interviews, blog spotlights and occasional multimedia presentations.
Gene Myers
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.haiku column 08
.haiku column number 8 • 5-19-2012
by Gene Myers <poetgene@gmail.com>
Cruising in a pink Cadillac with Haiku Elvis
For this month's column, I'd like to head south and focus on a haiku poet who cruises down Route 66 without airbags in his pink Cadillac, Haiku Elvis.
Haiku Elvis is Louisiana poet Carlos Colon's alter-ego. To get a taste of what he does, checkout this YouTube video. It's a little shaky, but at least there is a video <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sybzgafBkvs>.
Why aren't more haiku poets experimenting like this? We all know the value of the traditional haiku masters, but why haven't we been exploring our own times and culture as much as we've explored lotus flowers and the sounds of frogs jumping into ponds?
Not only is Haiku Elvis's subject matter distinctly American, Carlos is also embracing technology to get Haiku Elvis's voice out there.
I am dumbfounded when poets proudly present their typewriters and say they don't have a Twitter or Facebook account. The odds are against writers having successful writing careers to begin with, especially poets and then, even more so for haiku poets. Why anyone would handicap them-self further is beyond me.
The web allows us to publish, reach an audience, get feedback and establish communities. The web also gives us a chance to create art in new ways.
I met Carlos at the last Haiku North America convention in Seattle. When he approached the podium in his Elvis garb and let his Southern-fried haiku lines fly, I laughed until tears came.
Encouraged by the reaction he got, Carlos revamped his Twitter account <https://twitter.com/#!/ccolon423> so that it would better serve his Haiku Elvis alter-ego. This is a fantastic use for Twitter.
I would love to see more Haiku Elvis multimedia. Who knows how far Carlos could take it? A dedicated website? A Haiku Elvis blog with diary entries? Let's just hope he holds together in the meantime and doesn't end up shooting at his computer!
Is there something you would like to see in a column? Email me at <poetgene@gmail.com>.
• .haiku column number 8 • 5-19-2012 •
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