The pond at Cape May Point Book

I was surprised when I read through half this anthology in one sitting. I had intended to savor it slowly over the summer, but I couldn't help reading one more, and then one more poem. I've loved writing haiku's since I was introduced to them in a high school creative writing class. Since, for me, writing poetry has always been a secretive and cathartic form of self expression, I was never bothered by the fact that I hadn't read any haiku's beyond those first few. This summer, I decided to remedy that, and I found this book to be a fantastic introduction! I would really recommend at least skimming the forward first. It explains the way haiku's have been adapted to the English language, and talks about the various authors the book highlights. One particular line was helpful in explaining: "A haiku is a short poem recording the essence of a moment keenly perceived in which Nature is linked to human nature." That one piece of information added volumes to my enjoyment. After reading each poem, I would consider for a moment how it reflected human nature. There is such a variety in this collection that I think it has a little something for everyone. There are poems that are heartbreaking, profound, funny, and even a few that are creepy. I look forward to browsing through this for years to come. Here are a few of my favorites.

Nick Avis:

longing to be near her
i remember my shirt
hanging in her closet


Tom Clausen

Farm country back road:
just like them i lift one finger
from the steering wheel


Virginia Brady Young

persimmons
lightly swaying -
heavy with
themselves


Penny Harter

grandmother's mirror-
age spots
the glass


Clement Hoyt

A Hallowe'en mask,
floating face up in the ditch,
slowly shaking its head.


Lee Gurga

two little boys
paddling like mad-
the beached canoe


Unfortunately the goodreads writing editor deletes extra spaces, so some of these can't be written exactly as they appear in the book.