Customer Reviews

Haiku Moment: An Anthology of Contemporary North American Haiku

5 star:		(3)
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800 'haiku moments'! in one book. Recommended to haiku writers everywhere, not just in the US. A wide range of topics covered. The introduction will interest both experienced haikuists and beginners. Excellent haiku many by famous names, not readily available elsewhere.

This collection is more limited in scope than Cor Van Den Heuvel's "The Haiku Anthology." Most of the haiku here were originally written or published between 1982 and 1992. The restriction to North American haiku leaves out some notable English-language haiku poets. Still this is an interesting collection. A few examples -- Alexis Rotella:

An old woman with bread / waves the geese down / from the sky.

Robert Spiess:

Winter wind-- / bit by bit the swallow's nest / crumbles in the barn

George Swede:

Night begins to gather between her breasts

As I said, an interesting collection, but one that I'd only recommend if you already have Cor Van Den Heuvel's anthology.

If you have ever wondered about the reality of the "haiku moment", this collection of literally hundreds of such moments by over 180 poets should make a believer of you. While not claiming to be comprehensive (the title does restrict it to "contemporary" and "North American"), I find that I reach for it over and over again.

For anyone with a serious interest in haiku, this book is essential reading. Buy it and thank yourself later.