Book of the Week – Haiku (1957) by James W. Hackett
From the Introduction: “Haiku poetry is a literary expression of Zen Buddhism which has been popular in Japan for several centuries. Its terse form is limited to 3 lines, consisting of 17 syllables in a 5-7-5 ratio.
Haiku demands reciprocal creativity. The reader must participate in its creation by using his own power of imagination. By so doing, he becomes a co-creator in the aesthetic experience. It also deserves perusal, since several levels of meaning often exist, some being abstruse.
Haiku only points to the sun, but the creative reader will follow its lead, and by reflection, become at one with it.”
Haiku was first published in 1957.
—–
Below are a few selected poems from the book:
come along with me,
we’ll view the dawn together …
my blind eyes need yours.
—
with death’s arrival
the sun, trees, and grass alone
become known, as real
—
just for eyes alone,
do wandering winter winds
cast one form in snow?
—
humbled by the wind,
black leaves suddenly reveal
an orange of silver
—
You can read the entire book in the THF Digital Library. Please share your favorite poem from the book with us.
Do you have a full or chapbook length book published in 2019 or earlier that you would like featured as a Book of the Week? Contact us for details. Haiku featured in the Book of the Week Archive are selected by the THF Digital Librarian Kenneth Pearson and are used with permission.
Comments (1)
Comments are closed.
An American pioneer of the form! I’m so grateful for Mr. Hackett’s passion and insight.