Thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging comments, Alan. I hadn't consciously realized the animal connection between "cow" and "wild", so I appreciate your finding that nuance. I love it when readers find unexpected connections in a haiku!
I love the ambiguity of "still wild" – having suffered the imagined humiliation of a cowlick as a boy, and being "wild with embarrassment" as my mother would attempt to wet it down for photographs, and later being "wild with fury" at that untamed body part when I was trying to groom myself to impress members of the fair sex. Now I enjoy the nostalgia and can appreciate the loss of wildness in the world and in my self. I am going to enjoy my daily struggle at the mirror from now on!
Hi Strider, Thanks for your comments, it's interesting to hear all your associations with "cowlick" and "wild" — more layers of meaning that I had not realized are contained in the poem! And good luck with the cowlick-taming…
Annette – GREAT haiku.
Strider, this is my memory as well which elevates this haiku to a level of luminosity. My mother used to fight my cowlick, insisting that I do battle with this wild part of me. The problem was, I was much wilder than my hair. When I went to college, I lost the brush and comb, just let my hair grow and grow and found my long wild hair attracted equally wild women. Alas, much of the wildness is still gone. But not all of it . . .
Peace,
Jeff
September 17th, 2013 at 8:50 am
Completely charming!
September 17th, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Thank you Sheila, glad it has touched you!
September 17th, 2013 at 9:55 am
cowlick
some part of me
still wild
—Annette Makino
The near animism of cowlick lifts this haiku even before we reach the wonderful phrase of:
"some part of me still wild"
Simple at first reading, but full of energy and layers.
Great haiku! :-)
Alan, With Words
September 17th, 2013 at 7:31 pm
Thank you for your thoughtful and encouraging comments, Alan. I hadn't consciously realized the animal connection between "cow" and "wild", so I appreciate your finding that nuance. I love it when readers find unexpected connections in a haiku!
September 17th, 2013 at 10:41 am
when i was young i was embarassed of my cowlick, after reading this im rewilded.
September 17th, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Thanks Aonaran, I love the term "rewilded"!
September 17th, 2013 at 4:30 pm
Great haiku Annette.
I love the ambiguity of "still wild" – having suffered the imagined humiliation of a cowlick as a boy, and being "wild with embarrassment" as my mother would attempt to wet it down for photographs, and later being "wild with fury" at that untamed body part when I was trying to groom myself to impress members of the fair sex. Now I enjoy the nostalgia and can appreciate the loss of wildness in the world and in my self. I am going to enjoy my daily struggle at the mirror from now on!
Strider
September 17th, 2013 at 7:36 pm
Hi Strider, Thanks for your comments, it's interesting to hear all your associations with "cowlick" and "wild" — more layers of meaning that I had not realized are contained in the poem! And good luck with the cowlick-taming…
September 23rd, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Annette – GREAT haiku.
Strider, this is my memory as well which elevates this haiku to a level of luminosity. My mother used to fight my cowlick, insisting that I do battle with this wild part of me. The problem was, I was much wilder than my hair. When I went to college, I lost the brush and comb, just let my hair grow and grow and found my long wild hair attracted equally wild women. Alas, much of the wildness is still gone. But not all of it . . .
Peace,
Jeff
October 2nd, 2013 at 10:09 am
Thanks Jeff! Wild hair and wild women, love the imagery.
September 17th, 2013 at 9:36 pm
Yep, there is some part of us refuses to be tamed….love this!
October 2nd, 2013 at 10:06 am
Thanks Alison! I think it's a good thing.
September 23rd, 2013 at 8:58 am
So cute!
marion
October 2nd, 2013 at 10:07 am
Thanks Marion!
October 6th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
it's those perceived imperfections that make us perfect… beautiful ku