hanging
in the art gallery
the perfect apple
Previously published at Fireflies’ Light, issue 32, October 2025
An example of a haiku which, although apparently simple and straightforward, touches on wider topics but does it in an apparently effortless way, with a light touch. It does what a modern English Language haiku is meant to do, with internal twists which I hope lead the reader to question and may prompt further thoughts about art, beauty, surrealism, or even philosophy. My best haiku try to get form, content and structure working together synergistically. Like René Magritte’s work, to which it alludes, this haiku is more interested in communicating the image than showing off clever technique. It mimics Magritte’s cool and detached style. Like a painting in a gallery, the haiku just is, as if it has always been there. To me it achieves what it set out to do and is therefore successful as a haiku.