My dad deconstructs the poem
I write this in answer to my father saying he's showing my haiku to my first poetry professor, and I guess the whole community college [where he works].
8/30/98
Dad-
The UPS haiku is a spoof. The original was
Mindfully walking
under dark-leaved plum branches
peace prevails on earth.
Peace,
Sara
My father, the frustrated philosophy major, responds.
8/31/98
I'll let them in on the joke.
Actually, though, the UPS version works as hip urban poetry. People have
mostly positive associations with UPS trucks EXCEPT for the fact that they double
park.
You've relieved a daily cognitive dissonance. Peace does prevail in your
poem. The big dark truck legally parked under the shade of the trees is a
peaceful image. It means the driver may have stopped for lunch or to see a
friend. Given the pressure that UPS drivers are under, it could be an act
of rebellion against corporate America.
Look what you started.
My secretary, JoAnn, has a son who drives for UPS, and she enjoyed it.
Peace to you.
Love, Dad
