According to my English dictionary haiku means: amusement in verse; Oxford Dictionaries differ slightly with: light verse, and add that it's a Japanese poem of seventeen syllables, in three lines of five-seven-five, traditionally evoking images of the natural world; and also that it can be a poem in English written in the form of a haiku. The great haiku master Basho died in 1694 at the age of fifty; it was common in those days to observe a few other rules of composition, which many of us have deliberately disregarded in the micro-poetic world of today. Twitter, with its limitation of 140 characters, has surprisingly provided a platform for all manner of short form poetry celebrating many of the mundane, and eternal themes such as love, life, death, and the natural world. Perhaps, even Basho would accept that in the 21st century we should be allowed to express ourselves more freely and decide the contents of the haiku rule book - if we have one. Simplicity & beauty should be the main aim.

This miniature book mixes both traditional and 21st century haiku as the poet leads us through a year in his life, week by week through poems that span the national world, the seasons, the trappings of city life and personal relationships.

In this book of poetry, 17th century haiku master Matsuo Bashō leaves his Lake Biwa "adobe of illusion" to visit an "abode of illusion" on Lake George. --Back cover.

"Language of the Heart" is a path to a more awakened way of viewing our experiences and relating to this precious life. The authors have chosen haiku for its simplicity and 'get to the point' aspect. You'll find their heart centered, thought provoking expressions have a meditative quality that provides a moment of contemplation, and cultivates an expanded awareness. Themes they've chosen relate to 21st century culture and issues. They include: compassion; challenges; happiness; anger; boundaries; relationships; aging; imagination; harmony; and nature. In our current culture, where people are seeking ways to 'weather the storm', to slow down and truly taste the sweet nectar of this unique experience called life, the succinct nature of haiku encourages us to take a moment to ponder our perspectives. And... how might we alter a perspective for a more enriching experience of being human. Reading these beautifully crafted haiku only point to the author's thoughts. The real gift and value lies in revealing your own personal thoughts and cultivating expanded awareness.

'A revelation' Sunday Times, Books of the Year 2018 The first Penguin anthology of Japanese haiku, in vivid new translations by Adam L. Kern. Now a global poetry, the haiku was originally a Japanese verse form that flourished from the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries. Although renowned for its brevity, usually running three lines long in seventeen syllables, and by its use of natural imagery to make Zen-like observations about reality, in fact the haiku is much more: it can be erotic, funny, crude and mischievous. Presenting over a thousand exemplars in vivid and engaging translations, this anthology offers an illuminating introduction to this widely celebrated, if misunderstood, art form. Adam L. Kern's new translations are accompanied here by the original Japanese and short commentaries on the poems, as well as an introduction and illustrations from the period.

575 Haiku Book is an irreverent and comedic poetry book filled with five hundred and seventy-five haikus plus lots of great illustrations. Written by two best friends in their college dorm, Mara and Mackenzie have created a one of a kind read.