Patricia Donegan

This book is a refreshing collection of traditional and non-traditional haiku poetry from old and new masters. Each chapter had a different theme and a new poem to ponder. I was challenged with each page to look at poetry and the world a bit differently.

I felt inspired to write more haiku and to explore poetry as a way of living rather than as simply a way of writing pretty words. I learned to stop myself and to notice when I noticed something - to start at that moment to write. Just show more noticing is a start.

I will return to this book again and again, as I believe there is richness in its simplicity, just like the haiku. show less

This is an easy, straight-forward approach to how to write Haiku. As an adult I found it very helpful in figuring out the elements needed to construct a Haiku, and also discerning how the English versions are done. It was very good at explaining how to look at nature and incorporating it into the Haiku.

While the haiku in this book is splendid, the history of haiku society and the role of Chiyo-ni in it makes this book a must read.

Interesting light read. A nice combination of ancient and modern haikus.