mulch deep
with memory
the light
showing so many paths
through the woods
by Tom Clausen (USA)
Akitsu Quarterly, Summer 2019
closing day
one last goodbye
at the dog’s grave
by Bryan Rickert (USA)
Frogpond, Vol. 44.1, Winter 2021
free haircut . . .
homeless veteran
sits tall
rippling waves
you teach me how
to film the wind
Grand Prix
10th Setouchi-Matsuyama Int’l Photo-Haiku Contest, 2020
ripening pear the bruises that never heal
Longlisted
Touchstone Awards for Individual Poems, 2020
by Debbie Strange (Canada)
Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All
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Special for April, National Poetry Month!
Free Shipping if Ordered from The Author
(U.S. Addresses only)
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Contact Charlotte Digregorio: c-books@hotmail.com
(Also available from Amazon)
Read the Great Reviews of Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All:
An altogether brilliant work that must be read by anyone with so much as a passing interest in haiku. Charlotte Digregorio has penned a masterpiece! She has written the definitive guide to one of poetry’s most fascinating genres. This work belongs on the bookshelf of any poet who is serious about writing the kind of haiku that editors want to publish.
-–John J. Dunphy, Author and Poet, Touching Each Tree
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This book is overall the best one out there on the subject. The amount of information is extraordinary and exceeds that found in any other book. In particular, the commentaries on selected poems are very good, intelligent, and sensitive, and really place keys into the hands of readers for unlocking the mysteries and joys of haiku literature–from its roots in Japan to its present robust evolution in English and other languages.
-–Michael McClintock, Award-Winning Author/Editor of Haiku & Tanka Books
Former President of The Tanka Society of America
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If a book about haiku inspires the reader to create haiku, then Charlotte Digregorio’s Haiku and Senryu guide has done its job bountifully. Digregorio calls this “A Simple Guide for All” and she isn’t kidding. Her basic instruction simplifies the process of writing haiku without sacrificing the beauty and the pleasure that are essential. The examples of well-known haikuists shimmer with perfection! If you are interested in pursuing this lovely, subtle art form, THIS is the guide you need. Fantastic guide! I can’t believe how much I learned.
-–Robin Stratton, Editor, Boston Literary Magazine
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Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All is exactly what it says it is: a way into the reading, writing and publishing of the world’s favorite genre. Premised on the idea that one doesn’t need to be a professional poet to enjoy it, Haiku and Senryu will inform you on why poets and non-poets alike love the genre; how to read them for maximum enjoyment; where they came from; how to organize them; and how to get them into print and other people’s heads. Whether a newbie or a seasoned veteran, you’re sure to come away with a deeper appreciation of the genre. And it’s also a considerable anthology of some of the best English-language haiku to be found.
–The Haiku Foundation
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A strong overview of haiku. A wealth of material on how to introduce and teach haiku to children, college students, and interested adults. For busy teachers the material will make it easier to provide guidance to their students. Any teacher would be thrilled for the helpful guidance, examples, and tools for presenting the form to the next generation. The pain and work involved in creating one’s own lesson plans is gone with the author’s well-honed presentations. The bibliography also contains a wealth of material. Buy a copy for teachers, students, or interested poets and just tell them to read it. This volume will not steer them wrong, and gives any reader something with meat to hang their hat on while they discover or further explore haiku. It will remain on my shelf.
–Mike Rehling, Book Reviewer, United Haiku and Tanka Society
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Marvelous book! Marvelous insight. I truly enjoyed this book, being wonderfully surprised by the new information I didn’t know. The chapter on teaching haiku was especially great, since I’ve taught it, but by a different method. And, Charlotte Digregorio’s haiku often evoke a chuckle of wry recognition or stop you dead in your tracks from awe. She seems well acquainted with the quotidian’s variety of her days, from homeless folk, to nature’s evocation and to loss and sorrow.
-–Donna Bauerly, Professor Emeritus, Loras College
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An energetic and comprehensive guide by a prolific writer and educator with insightful perspectives and a generous sampling of published haiku and senryu. This practical guide is delivered in a relaxed, conversational tone so that the lessons and examples are informative and easily accessible. Extensive appendices and bibliography.
–Frogpond, Journal of the Haiku Society of America
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This book will hook the beginning reader and leave them wanting more. The book demystifies the genre. It offers haiku that are accessible and doable. The “Getting Published” section offers some good tips on submitting to and building a relationship with editors. The large reference section with bibliography of educational books, anthologies, collections, journals, and websites will be of great value to beginning readers.
–Paul Miller, Editor of Modern Haiku journal
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I honor the work Charlotte Digregorio has done on behalf of English-language haiku in Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All. She has a gift for writing clearly, concentrating on what matters beyond passing controversy.
–Dr. Robert Epstein, Psychologist
Author, Checkout Time is Noon: Death Awareness Haiku
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I highly recommend Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All. Comprehensive!
-–Denis Garrison, Author, Fire Blossoms: The Birth of Haiku Noir
Editor, Modern English Tanka Press
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A great beginner’s guide that presents/explains the spirit and essence of haiku.
-–Mike Montreuil, Haiku and Tanka Publisher, Editions des petits nuages
First Vice President, Haiku Society of America
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Anyone can benefit from this book’s simple, clear advice. Digregorio offers time-tested, yet fresh and flexible pedagogy–actual lesson plans for those who wish to teach haiku. Intermediate and advanced practitioners will benefit from reminders of simple concepts long forgotten or never learned. We are given new ways to think about the poetry we read.
—Speed Bump Journal
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Offers excellent advice on haiku writing. It is a great book and has helped many of us in our haiku journey, and doubtless will for many years to come.
–Andy McLellan, Poet and Author, birth/stones: Selected Haiku and Haibun
Hurry and Register! Three Seats Left! Charlotte Digregorio will give a free ZOOM poetry workshop, sponsored by the Winnetka (IL) Public Library. “Write & Publish Great Poetry” is slated for Sunday, April 18, 2 to 3:30 p.m. (Chicago-USA Time).
For information and registration, (free workshop for all from everywhere), click this Library link: https://winnetkalibrary.libcal.com/calendar/events/…. Charlotte is the author of two poetry reference books: Ripples of Air: Poems of Healing and Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All, along with five other books.
In the workshop, we will analyze various poems by famous poets. Among them, a few short poems– three haiku and one tanka, but mostly long poems. There will be lecture: what is poetry; why does it matter; poetry as a healing art; important elements that poems should have; finding ideas for poems; poetic voice; how to submit poems and specific suggestions of journals for beginning/experienced poets to send work to. There will also be a “short poem” writing exercise. Those who wish may read their poem out loud (or a previously written one), as time allows. And, questions will be answered.
Domestic Poem: After Reading Omens by Danusha Laméris
Because we can’t know what’s next, I say,
the dandelions multiplied overnight,
but you mowed the lawn yesterday,
or was it last Thursday?
The days are melting into one another.
I thought today was Friday but it’s Sunday.
I know because you cooked sausages for breakfast.
Today on our walk you say, what a lovely afternoon.
It’s only 11:30 in the morning, I mumble.
Surreptitiously I lift my sleeve.
My moonface watch shows 2:30.
Because we can’t know what’s next, I say,
You were right and I was wrong.
Something I never would before all this.
It starts to rain, we turn around for home.
I stare at the dandelions. You read the paper.
Rain turns to mist turns to sunshine.
Because we can’t know what’s next
you plug in the lawn mower.
Its bright orange cord cuts us in two
me seated at the kitchen table
you on your patch of green, headphones on.
Because we can’t know what’s next
The Times is open to page 23.
I wait till mower faces shed
to turn the paper to page one.
When you ask me why I say,
because we can’t know what’s next.
by Roberta Beary (Ireland/USA)
The Phare, Spring 21
Write Words Competition Issue
Hurry and Register! Charlotte Digregorio will give a free ZOOM poetry workshop, sponsored by the Winnetka (IL) Public Library. “Write & Publish Great Poetry” is slated for Sunday, April 18, 2 to 3:30 p.m. (Chicago-USA Time). For information and registration, (free workshop for all from everywhere), click this Library link: https://winnetkalibrary.libcal.com/calendar/events/…. Charlotte is the author of two poetry reference books: Ripples of Air: Poems of Healing and Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All, along with five other books.
In the workshop, we will analyze various poems by famous poets. Among them, a few short poems– three haiku and one tanka. There will be mostly lecture: what is poetry; why does it matter; poetry as a healing art; important elements that poems should have; finding ideas to write poems about; poetic voice; and how to submit poems and specific suggestions of journals for beginning/experienced poets to send work to. There will also be a short poem writing exercise. Those who wish may read their poem out loud (or a previously written one).
senryu
senryu
self-portrait
getting to know myself
a little better
by Karen Harvey (North Wales)
Haiku Dialogue, Dec. 23, 2020
senryu
touchdown . . .
the atheist beside me
stops praying
by Carole MacRury (USA)
Haiku Canada Review, Vol. 15, No. 1, February 2021
Many of you know the prolific work of Robert Epstein, psychologist and haiku author, editor, and anthologist, from reading this blog. Epstein has a new book out, Contemplating Nature: Pictures, Passages & Haiku. It’s another winner among his dozens of titles.
Below, are four samples of haiku from this book:
tall summer grass
so dry it hums
Dad’s death day
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it’s all over
now that she named it
yarrow
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zen tea garden ––
taking a long sip
of the red bridge
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uncertain future
I rest my head on a stream
of moonlight
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Note: This book is available through Amazon, as are some of Epstein’s others.
vanishing point
where the road disappears
the hospice
by Maxianne Berger (Canada)
Wales Haiku Journal, Spring 2020
by S.M. Kozubek (USA)
by Sari Grandstaff (USA)
A Winner
Golden Haiku Contest, 2018
dust motes
in a shaft of sunlight
we’re losing her
by Lew Watts (USA)
Presence, Issue 63, 2019
Many of you read Eufemia Griffo’s haiku on this blog that is written in English. She is Italian and a prolific writer of several books. This is her latest historical novel above. In English, it means “From Afar, Venice: The Travels of Marco Polo.” While the book isn’t translated into English, we mention it here because many of the haiku poets on this blog are Italian.
Here is a promotional video of this title:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14FxfCwoGtLwIYnusDjwFS8AiWu7rMmCA/view?usp=drivesdk
We congratulate Eufemia for her prolific work and wish her success with her many book projects!
senryu
Hurry and Register! Charlotte Digregorio will give a free ZOOM poetry workshop, sponsored by the Winnetka (IL) Public Library. “Write & Publish Great Poetry” is slated for Sunday, April 18, 2 to 3:30 p.m. (Chicago-USA Time). For information and registration, (free workshop for all from everywhere), click this Library link: https://winnetkalibrary.libcal.com/calendar/events/…. Charlotte is the author of two poetry reference books: Ripples of Air: Poems of Healing and Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All, along with five other books.
In the workshop, we will analyze various poems by famous poets. Among them, a few short poems– three haiku and one tanka. There will be mostly lecture: what is poetry; why does it matter; poetry as a healing art; important elements that poems should have; finding ideas to write poems about; poetic voice; and how to submit poems and specific suggestions of journals for beginning/experienced poets to send work to. There will also be a short poem writing exercise. Those who wish may read their poem out loud (or a previously written one).
daybreak–
the spider centered
in its web
by Tom Clausen (USA)
Dim Sum