A celebration of
Haiku
from around the world
The haiku that you find on the following pages are by haiku poets from around
the world. Most of it is what I choose to refer to as "contemporary haiku"; some, rarely,
will be in the classic style. The famous Japanese haiku poet,Shiki, said of haiku that
"essence is more important than form". Maintaining the classic form in English can be
very restrictive and difficult and doesn't lend itself to the "impressionist" quality that I
find in the works of early haiku masters such as Issa, Basho and Buson. Purists may not
like some of the haiku because it doesn't have a kigo (season) word or because it
doesn't have to do with nature. It seems to me the early haikuists were more concerned
with the seasons and nature because when they were writing, Japan was a largely rural
society, as was most of the world at that time. Artists paint, and poets write about, what
they see and experience around them, so the early haiku would have been more nature
oriented. As the world evolves and changes, so must all the arts, including haiku.
The intent of this page, however, is not to debate the merits of any style or point of view.
It is my wish, that through the poems on these pages, you the reader may find some of the
works as enjoyable as I found my first book of haiku and, perhaps, even try your hand at
the art of haiku
Each of the poems here captures a moment with the deft strokes of the artists words.
The poets represented here have kindly consented to allow me to showcase their works
on these pages. They retain all rights, copy and otherwise, to these works. I have
attempted to include their e-mail address with each one, so if you have questions,
comments, or wish to use or display their works in any other venue, please contact them
individually.
soji(aka Gary)
Haiku Festival
this way
Home
*This haiku, by Soseki, is from the Peter Pauper Press
Haiku collection
|
~ George Steel
Page 1
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