POETIC FORM

Mecum, Ryan. Zombie Haiku.  Cincinnati:  How Books, 2008. ISBN  978-1-60061-070-7

Poetic Elements:  The topic at hand, Zombies, is what will keep the reader hooked over the use of any poetic elements used in this book.  Written concisely in the haiku format, each poem spits out a rhythmic image that builds upon the story one haiku at a time.  Zombie addicts will devour the implied humor.  The sense of taste is repeatedly emphasized as the characters in the book keep consuming their cravings of eating other humans.  Seeing, hearing, and feeling each description helps to draw the reader in further. The poet’s imaginative side is proven in his design and layout of the book. 

Appeal:  Typically the Japanese form of poetry known as haiku is not a popular pick with kids.  However this short, three lined poem with syllable necessities commands attention when the intriguing topic of Zombies is added.  Using inference skills to study the photos and pictures on each page should provide enough support in depicting the word choice meanings used in the poems.  The imagination of readers will run wild while reading this book. 

Overall Quality:  I believe the writing of this book is intended to entertain middle and high school aged students.  The targeted group will definitely embrace the book solely because of its topic, regardless of whether they are interested in poetry or specifically haiku.  The illustrations and visuals definitely compliment the story in this book.  As an adult with no interest in the subject, I would be concerned that the images and words written in the book might encourage an emotionally unstable person to act in an unlawful manner by doing something horrific. And then when the press releases a horrible story, society questions, “What would cause someone to do something like this?”  The book is well organized in that it tells a complete story.  The poems are all written in the same font and type size, but are randomly pasted on the pages.  The illustrations and photographs help add extra gore to the already written “gorey” text.  Reading about Zombies doesn’t interest me.  I do know for certain that I will never read another book by this author again because of the evil and atrocious ideas he is modeling to today’s youth. 

The Poets:  Ryan Mecum is the single poet that wrote this anthology collection about Zombies in haiku.  Mecum’s name would be more familiar to Zombie followers than it would be to the poetry world.   Zombie Haiku is his first book to be published.  He has written and published several other haiku books since on vampires, werewolves, and more about zombies. His official website for the book Zombie Haiku can be found at http://www.zombiehaiku.com/

Layout: Ryan Mecum, the author, begins with an introduction at the beginning of the book that explains the poetry form known as haiku.  He then shares that what is written inside, is his poetry journal which is what he has been writing while locked in the bathroom to keep from getting eaten from another Zombie.  The book is approximately 140 pages in length.  Two to four haiku poems are featured on each page, minus the random black and white Polaroid pictures featured on pages throughout.  Smeared and splattered blood and strands of human hair seem to adorn most pages.  The black and white Polaroid photos are of body parts that have been mutilated by a Zombie or of an actual Zombie photo.  Hand drawn pictures are also scattered throughout the book next to various haiku poems. The compilations of haiku are supposed to tell the story of how the main character became a Zombie, lived the Zombie experience, and was finished off as a Zombie.  The author mentions in the book’s conclusion that he would like the reader to pass a message onto his wife.  “Tell her I loved her and that I want to eat her and swallow her brains!”  The book really, really concludes with a picture of the author dressed and acting like a Zombie on the last page with a short biography.  The thoughts and emotions that can be construed from reading this book can go two ways; either you love the gore and delight with Zombies or you are terribly offended and disappointed in the filth that has been published.

Spotlight Poem:  I would use the two haiku poems written below as a story starter for a writing assignment in the month of October.  Students could practice using voice and descriptive writing.

Taken from Zombie Haiku, page 100

Two motionless boys

Stare as I try to stand up

In the dark hallway

The kids run from me

And dart outside through the door.

Not a good idea.