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THE Gringo HAIKU

The gringo haiku of the San Miguel School, as offered here, evolved from the needs of displaced expatriates to express their love for – and confusion about – their adopted land. Written in a big hurry, primarily in English, these evocative verses are flavored by the occasional Spanish word: margarita¹, caramba², plomero³. The traditional form of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five, seven, and five -- or as we say in these parts, cinco, siete, cinco—has been retained.

From its inception in Japan in the 12th century, the sensory aspect of haiku has been a central element. The scent of plum blossoms; blackbirds against a night sky; a wilting chrysanthemum: each conveys a world of meaning.

The gringo haiku, on the other hand, relies for its sensory palette on the aroma of carnitas or packs of street dogs. To give a sense of place, Mt. Fuji or a still pond finds its gringo haiku equivalent in the Instituto or potholes.

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