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Zombie Haiku by Ryan Mecum

Ryan Mecum’s Zombie Haiku is another fun volume of loose-form haiku, like his recent publication Vampire Haiku (click for my review).  In the initial pages, readers learn that the journal is that of Chris Lynch, and the initial haiku spotlight the beauty of nature coupled with Polaroid images and are interspersed with comments from Lynch about his impending death and transformation.

The bird flew away
with more than just my bread crumbs.
He took my sorrow.  (Page 2)

Readers see first hand the spread of the zombies throughout the city and how they stagger after their latest victims.  Finally, Lynch is attacked himself, bleeding to death from a hole in his neck, before turning into the beings he sees taking over the human race.  Struggling with his transformation, he writes haiku about his love for his mother, and the strength he feels even as he withers and becomes a cannibal.

My lungs slow and stop
and I can’t find my heartbeat
but I’m still hungry.  (Page 30)

With his jaw snapped off
he can’t bite into people,
which means more for me.  (Page 66)

Readers may find that some haiku are not as well formed as others, but that may be because zombies have a mostly one-track mind — brains or eating brains.  Overall, Zombie Haiku is not as engaging as Vampire Haiku was, though in small doses the haiku can be amusing. 

I’m counting this as my 12th book for the poetry reading challenge.

FTC Disclosure:  I purchased my copy of Zombie Haiku by Ryan Mecum.  Clicking on title links or images will bring you to my Amazon Affiliate page; No purchase necessary.

Comments

  1. Jenners: Very nice haiku! 🙂

    Jeanne: The vampire one also told a story. I liked that one better for some reason…perhaps it is because zombies have a one-track mind…lol

  2. I liked the way the zombie haiku told a story.

  3. It seems to have a sadder point of view than the vampire one. And I was inspired to write my own haiku:

    Brains are my dinner
    Brains are my lunch and breakfast
    Brains are on my brain

  4. bermudaonion says

    Too bad this wasn't as good as Vampire Haiku, but at least it was good! Glad you enjoyed it.

  5. I think I agree!

  6. I think I'd like the zombie Christmas carols book more, though this does sound amusing.

    –Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

  7. Valerie: I would never have walked away! I'm a sucker for these kinds of things.

  8. You know, I saw this at my library book sale shelf last fall, and could have gotten it for 25 cents. I thought, "zombies? haikus? together?" and walked away to think about it. When I went back, it was gone. I'm still kicking myself over this!!