Book of the Week: monk & i: a collection of haiku by vincent tripi

From Haiku Circle, we learn that studies in philosophy and psychology led to Vincent’s career in children’s services, crisis-intervention and residential treatment. During the 70’s he came under the guidance of a spiritual master, and for a period of time afterwards, he taught yoga and meditation. In the early 80’s he lived a solitary life in a cabin in New Hampshire.

This resulted in his first book, Haiku Pond, which he admitted was a rudimentary attempt at the practice. During his life, Vincent lived in three spiritual communities and much of his poetry reflects a Buddhist foundation. Vincent passed away in 2020 and there is a nice tribute to him on Adele Kenny’s Poetry Blog.

Another book by Vincent in the Digital Library is Small Town.

Endangered
God too, somewhere
in the lady’s slipper

Somewhere,
someplace in the galaxy,
first cricket song

Spring…
so much depends on the rain
& the whale spray

25th push-up
the moon
on my back

You can read the entire book in the THF Digital Library and please share your favorite poem from the book in the Comments section.

Do you have a chapbook published in 2015 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 THF Digital Librarian Dan Campbell and are used with permission.