Haiku Society Of America Virtual Conference — Theme : On The Edge

ROBERTA BEARY PRESENTS

Trauma Based Experimental Haibun – Cultivating the Healing Power of Haibun – Sunday, November 23, 2025 3PM Pacific Standard Time

Haibun has an amazing power to heal both writers and readers. In Crazy Bitches, my collection of haibun that spans two decades, I deal with childhood traumas as fictionalized in haibun. I will show that this power is inherent in every writer of haibun. Discussion will focus on how to deal with familial disapproval concerning subject matter — which often impedes the haibun writer. I will use examples from Crazy Bitches to illustrate each point from subject matter to first draft to final version. Safe spaces and trusted first readers will be explored in depth.The use of family photos as stepping stones to healing haibun will be covered as well as the use of other family artifacts. Finally, I will give examples of cutting edge, innovative haibun that also has the power to heal. A short Q&A will follow if time permits.