I was gifted a small, leather bound notebook and it felt right to designate it as a place to gather short form poetry. I have commenced with haiku. I write in this notebook irregularly. I usually find myself compelled by natural phenomena like weather events, seasonal changes and related observations of the natural world.
I am finding this haiku harvesting contemplative, calming and reflective. It represents a form of limbering up for further writing across my day. I am in no rush with the addition of entries. They arise when the mood strikes - singularly, or in numbers. My collection stands at 42 and rising.
So, here is a glimpse of my gathered harvest of haikus.
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In other news...
It is Poetry Friday and our host this week is Linda Mitchell from A Word Edgewise. Linda offers readers a Christmas Mash Up Poem combining song lyrics and a poem.
Hi Alan & appreciations for a peek at your next collection & these short-form nature notes in Haiku.
ReplyDelete"The beach is friendless" & "whitecap bonnets" especially make me re-visit their moment on the line.
You are an inspiration for converting my gratitude journal into haiku notes. Thanks so much!
Is this Tesslyn? This compact journal is such a wonderful addition to my ever expanding collection of notebooks and I am so pleased to have identified its dedicated purpose as a safe landing spot for my poetic thoughts. It recently helped me negotiate a most challlenging time in my writing life. I am most pleased that you found me and appreciated how this delightful book has been used to hold fragile words.
DeleteAlan, love your haiku notebook, including the "Tuesday tempest" line, and looking forward to NOTEBOOK NOTIONS! Mona
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mona. Your kind thoughts are much appreciated. The book is in sight...
DeleteCongratulations for your coming book, Alan. I enjoyed your haiku, feels much like a diary of your days. I like the visions you've brought, like "The beach is friendless" and those bees whispering!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. The book has quite literally taken a lifetime of writing to emerge. so I am quite excited at the prospect of it bursting into the light. So glad you enjoyed the haiku.
DeleteLove blattering rain, Alan. Two years ago Linda B gifted me a beautiful, old volume of haiku from her beloved second hand bookstore. I write when the moment inspires, “response haiku” — to Basho, Issa, and the other masters— in a small field notebook. I don’t I even have 42 yet. Maybe 30– but I feel like a pen pal with these ancient poets.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great old word- blatter. Ah, birds of a feather, Patricia. What an inspiration Linda's gift has been. Such a great little story. Such great treasure can be stored in a tiny volume.
DeleteWow! Notebook Notions looks great! And, what a beautiful notebook...I mean the gift before words is beautiful. But, look at how you've given that notebook a soul. Those 'scratchy dancers' of autumn leaves are are a most delightful image.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the publishing team on this book. The cover design is fresh and inviting. It's been a buzz. That little notebook was a gift from one of my grandchildren. I remain ever grateful for his thoughtfulness. I appreciate your response-most kind.
DeleteAlan, I love the phrase of harvesting haiku. Your notebook is gorgeous. I am writing a daily haiku. And kudos on your new book! I can't wait to get it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jone, much appreciated. That little notebook is a winner. I hope you like my new book.
DeleteCount me in as a fan of "the rain blatters down," too. Your haiku make such a good record of the natural world, Alan. Thanks for letting us read them! Congrats on the new book, too.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan. Another fan of blattering. I appreciate your affirming remarks.
DeleteYour notebook is beautiful, Alan and the perfect place to store haiku. Thank you for the peek into your collection and practice. Also, congratulations on your Notebook Notions!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rose. I'm pleased you like the home I created for my haiku collection. You know the excitement that surrounds a new book. it doesn't diminish with age or time.
DeleteHI Alan, I love the format of your notebook. It looks like a great place to harvest haiku. It was -9 this morning here in the Wisconsin Northwoods. Today's high is supposed to be -3 degrees F. We are definitely huddling inside today. Thanks for sharing your nature observation with us. Looking forward to the new book, too! Reminds me of a couple Ralph Fletcher put out years ago.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed my dedicated notebook, Carol. Keep huddling inside. Your mention of Ralph Fletcher is apt. His influence on me and others has been profound. I acknowledge this in my book. I have tried to further explore the importance of teachers being visible as writers in the classroom and to influence impressionable young writers through their own use of a writer's notebook. Ralph also has a book due in February. It's about writer identity and I'm proud to have made a small contribution.
Delete"...blatters" — I love the use of that word, Alan. Your haiku are lovely and it's a delight to peek inside your notebook. And it's so *neat*! Your handwriting is beautiful. Congratulations on the upcoming book!
ReplyDeleteBlatters is proving most popular, Karen. Like you, I love it. Thank you for your remarks regarding my handwriting. I am driven by a teacher's remark when I was only five. She told me I should stop writing with my left hand because 'You will never be a neat writer if you continue.' That remark just strengthened my resolve to prove her wrong. I'm a slow, deliberate writer, but I certainly am driven to be a neat writer. Thanks for your comment regarding my new book.
DeleteThanks for this peek into your dedicated haiku notebook. Great idea! And congrats on your upcoming book!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Mary Lee. I'm haiku happy. Thanks also for your remarks concerning my upcoming new book.
DeleteWhat a lovely notebook and how delightful that it inspired such a bountiful crop of haiku! You've used such powerful word choice throughout and captured lovely natural images. I'm especially fond of those leaf dancers! Congratulations on your impending book birthday!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your affirming comments, Molly. Word choice is like a constantly blinking light when writing poetry, especially, haiku. The book release will be a bit like a birthday. This book has taken me significantly longer than any previous one to bring together. That makes it even more of a special event.
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