Owen Bullock
sunny day –
why not get
the divorce papers?
Humor can be found in everything.
Owen Bullock’s haiku lets readers witness the speaker of the poem come to a small and simple revelation. Bullock’s untitled poem is great, partly because he provides a contrast. When we think of divorce, we think of sadness, separation, rainy and lonely days...not sunny ones.
The simplicity of the poem is also great. In stanza 1,“sunny day- / why not get” (line 1 and 2) readers see the beauty in it. These simple words, tell us a little bit about the speaker. They seem to be the type of person who is happy-go-lucky and a go with the flow kind of person. We get another glimpse of the speaker's life in the last line; Line 3, in the one and only stanza, the speaker concludes their question,“The divorce papers?” This concluding part of the question, brings up many more. It makes readers wonder, why is the speaker getting a divorce? Why did a sunny day bring this decision on?
A haiku only has so many syllables to inspire its readers. However, this haiku, is not meant to inspire the readers. Bullock meant for this haiku to give insight to the speaker's life. So, while we do normally associate negative things with divorce. The speaker is inspired. An association between sunny days, divorce, and freedom can be seen. We see the speaker be influenced by the presence of a sunny day to find the strength to “get / the divorce papers” . And this comparison makes all the difference. For it really can just be that simple. To leave behind memories made, and to take a step into a new direction. It can be as simple as being inspired by a sunny day.
So while this poem contains a contrast and comparison, a simple look at a life, and insight.
What this poem contains, that makes readers enjoy it, is as simple as the decision to get a divorce after witnessing a sunny day… it’s funny.
And that is why it’s great.
-Sonya Williams
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