First Thoughts
1. All of these poems contain images of moments and miracles in nature. What image in the haiku, in “Fog,” and in “in Just-” did you find most striking, original, or powerful?
Shaping Interpretations
2. One of the characteristics of a haiku is that it presents a moment of discovery or revelation. In your own words, describe the moment frozen in each of the haiku in this group of poems.
3. In Chiyo’s haiku, the plant is a “morning glory.” How could these words also describe what the poet experienced at her morning encounter?
4. Why do you think Sandburg thought the fog was like a cat? What other cat actions could fit into “Fog”?
5. E. E. Cummings is famous for his unusual punctuation and arrangements of words. What are the children doing in “in Just-” that matches the leaps and jumps of the words? Why do you think Cummings made single words out of the names Eddie and Bill, Betty and Isbel?
6. Both Pan and Hephaestus, like most other Greek gods, were pretty tricky customers. Do you think Cummings depicts the balloon man as completely harmless and kind? Which of the poem’s words and images support your response?
Connecting with the Texts
7. Inside each of the haiku there is a person. Put yourself in each person’s shoes, one by one. Consider:
• In the first haiku, do you wait for the toad to move, or do you poke it?
• In the second haiku, do you ever use that bucket again?
• In the third haiku, what do you think you were doing the minute before the frog jumped in?
• In the fourth haiku, how long are you able to see the hills?
8. Read Sandburg’s “Fog” again. Pretend you are actually standing at the edge of a harbor and watching the fog come in across the water. How do you feel about everything around you disappearing? How does the fog feel against your skin?
Connecting with the Texts
7. Inside each of the haiku there is a person. Put yourself in each person’s shoes, one by one. Consider:
8. Read Sandburg’s “Fog” again. Pretend you are actually standing at the edge of a harbor and watching the fog come in across the water. How do you feel about everything around you disappearing? How does the fog feel against your skin?
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