Absent Quote by Anne Bancroft
“Haiku is a particularly Zen form of poetry; for Zen detests egoism in the form of calculated effects or self-glorification of any sort. The author of haiku should be absent, and only the haiku present.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: discussion on Zen poetry, 1990s
Haiku should be self‑effacing, letting the poem speak without authorial ego.
In simple terms: Haiku is the poem alone, no author presence.
Key Takeaway
Let the poem be, not the poet.
Themes
zen
poetry
humility
Mood
contemplative
inspirational
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- mindfulness practice
- teaching poetry
Key Concepts
literary theory
spirituality
minimalism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does authorial absence affect interpretation?
- Can a poem be truly ego‑free?
A Different Perspective
Risk of losing personal voice and context.
