Tampa resident Jeff Karon has a versatile background in literature ranging from technical writing to philosophy and critical thinking to creative writing. He is a practicing martial artist and writer becoming well known for his haikus. Graduating from New College of Florida with a B.A. in Philosophy Karon went on to achieve a Ph.D. in English (Rhetoric and Composition) from the University of South Florida. Karon is committed to the belief in the clarity and importance language clearly illustrated by his powerful poetry.
Karon is the founder of The Honorable Classroom a tutoring and training service dedicated to helping young writers improve their style and delivery while maintaining a code of ethics. Karon teaches skills important to academic pursuits as well as life apart from the written word by maintaining the dignity of both the writer and the audience.
A Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. Verses are written in 17 syllables divided into three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. They employ highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature of the seasons.
HILLSBOROUGH HAIKU
The river never
runs dry. Tell me tomorrow
when the rains come back.
HILLSBOROUGH HAIKU
Like black, moistened pens,
rowboats glide up to the walls,
signatures ready.
River kings and queens
yet servants to sweat and salt--
beating their thin oars.
HILLSBOROUGH HAIKU
I cannot breathe rain
as do the loud cicadas--
but Summer shouts, Breathe!
Excerpt from RESURRECTION RIVER
The dusk refuses to deepen.
We are lightly shadowed.
The river pays us little mind.
Our shadows in tow, we are resurrected along the river.
We are resurrection men and women.
This is how rivers live again.
HILLSBOROUGH HAIKU
The ancient Chinese
watched cranes exercise their natures--
we waddle instead.
HILLSBOROUGH HAIKU
If a can floats by,
at least someone was walking
here--throw it away.
River pushes through,
bustling past with business
of swirling fall leaves.