The Haiku Foundation Forums

Under the Basho is now an organic journal that develops its content as the year proceeds. Poet by poet, poem by poem, the journal will grow and develop - its voice will evolve as the year continues. 

The opening date for submissions is March 1st and remains open until November 15th, 2014. December 1st of each year will be considered our formal publication date (an Annual Journal). Submissions will be handled by our editors as they come in; the poems finding their way into acceptance or rejection. Please submit up to 10 poems in each category.  Once we accept poems from you in a particular division (regardless of the number), you cannot submit to that one again until the following issue - next year.  However, you may submit haiku to another division that you have not yet been accepted.

Visit frequently to savor Under the Basho's unfolding.

We have brand new posts in Stand-Alone Hokku, Concrete Haiku, and a Poet's Voice Feature (recorded).  Drop by and begin to follow along - a year of development, growth, and wonderful poetry.

http://underthebasho.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1323&Itemid=489

http://underthebasho.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1321&Itemid=487

http://underthebasho.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1322&Itemid=488

This is just the beginning.  Join in as readers; join in with your submissions.  http://underthebasho.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=76

Thanks!

Don

For poets who are currently represented in the Living Haiku Anthology, we now offer an opportunity to post a voice recording of you reading your poems.  Please record them in a quiet area.  Cell phones do a great job or you can put a mic on your computer and record.  Read your poems in the same order as on your page.  Leave at least ten seconds of silence at the beginning and also between poems.  I can master it easier that way.  Send them to me at underthebasho@gmail.com. 

Join in!

If you haven't been featured in the Anthology as of yet, please feel free to submit your best published poems.  We'll take a look and go from there.  Again, send them to me at underthebasho@gmail.com.  Thanks.

We are well over 2000 poems and growing.  Come by, take a look and join in.

http://www.livinghaikuanthology.com

Don

I have photographs (besides poetry) that might be of interest.  I'll prepare them and send them along.

Thanks Richard!

Don

Best wishes with this.  It looks terrific!

A Thought:

Subjective cannot solve the puzzles of the objective; and the objective cannot solve the puzzles of the subjective - in a likely sense, objective (in the human realm) doesn't exist - it cannot as long as the human being remains in the realm of imperfection; where is the realm of perfection?  Is a critique meaningless, in particular, imperfect - as meaningless as opinion?  Naturally, if one gives an opinion power by submitting to it, then reality (for that individual) shifts quickly (as fickle as it is) and another set of circumstances occur to ponder - yet, none dealing with "truth," per se..  Human perception is like a spaghetti sauce; it is an approximation at best - no two are the same even if the recipe is.

Scratching the Surface: 

Critiquing (criticism) is a skewed skill that is incapable of rising above the subjective.  There is no critique of any work that can possibly be an authoritative (cosmically accurate) voice that is lastingly meaningful (factual)..  Opinion will never rise above itself.  It will never be complete and it will never be accurate.  Human perception and bias will remain obstacles to depth-critiquing or for that matter, worthy, memorable opinion.  (I remember Beethoven; do you remember his critic?)  The human character, in its own arrogance, remains oblique - minimally, wonky.  And, critiquing is the "frontal lobe gone awry."  Neither will ever rise above their flawed existence because they simply cannot.

Digging Deeper: 

Claiming "this or that" is excellent is frivolous with the exception of amusement.  A critic and ensuing opinion seems to be nothing at all inherently; it is the recipient, surrendering power, that gives the critique salt.  In a very real way, excellence doesn't exist - only opinions do; and opinions may or may not have value.  Once again, that depends on who is receiving the notion (opinion) and whether or not they buy into it with psychological money. 

A Story:

I've mentioned, over the years, numerous times - the story of Beethoven and "his" critic.  Beethoven composed his first symphony.  He gathered an orchestra for its premiere performance.  A particular critic was there - one who writes for the local news (so to speak).  The critic hated the music and dissed Beethoven's efforts with the shrill of a cicada.  He talked about the opening; he discussed thematic material, approach, development and the rest.  Years later, Beethoven introduced his 5th symphony.  The same critic was still working his harmonica of opinions saying (approximately) that the symphony motifs are repetitious and boring, continuing on and on, how there was nothing worthy presented in this new symphony. His closing query was, "why is it that Beethoven cannot write something so profound as his first symphony?"  The critic had forgotten his scribblings years back about Beethoven's 1st symphony and now openly celebrated it as a masterpiece - overlooking the petite fact that he said he hated the first symphony and was appalled.   At least, the critic has left us with a humorous story regarding the painful approximation of reality and perception and the human's ego thinking it has something important to say.

Almost a Summary: 

At best, it seems that the things of life - all things - are illusionary on their best cosmic day.  Is it that we, the humble servants of the All, can somehow tune into "this is judged to be great or miserable" and the opinion is miraculously true?  Is there truth regarding the quality of poetry?  Is there truth that this art is "good or lousy?"  Throw paint from a ladder to a canvas; throw words into a poem; throw notes onto a page: is there an inherent, definable "this is good, this is bad", "'this is excellent, this is not?"  Jackson Pollack found himself the first American artist with an authentic international appeal.  Was his art "excellent or not?"  Did his tossing paint onto a canvas mean anything other than he could do it with passion?  Was Debussy not Mozart?  Was Schoenberg not Beethoven?  Were any of them excellent?  Does it matter?  And if so, which critic, which critique is correct - the yea or nay of artistic efforts?  Is it, at the finish line, that critiques will remain in the bondage of human imperfection and will never rise above it . . . as it cannot.

Final Thought: 

The question is being offered, "what makes a poem excellent?"  And I'm saying, who is to claim it is excellent or not?

Final date for submission is coming quickly - February 15th at midnight.  If you haven't submitted, do so now.  Join in this first year competition and make your mark!

http://underthebasho.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=78

Good luck!

Don

If it's been awhile, come by and check our many new (to the anthology) and amazing poets.  We represent almost 140 poets and nearly 2000 fine haiku (of various styles).  We continue to grow and enjoy talent from all over the world!  The internet is an amazing thing; without it, we clearly wouldn't be able to read as much of each other's poetry as we do today.

If you have not submitted, please feel free to do so.   underthebasho@gmail.com is the Living Haiku Anthology's personal email for submissions.  Join in.

http://www.livinghaikuanthology.com

8)

http://notesfromthegean.com/books.html

Time is of the essence now!  Deadline is February 15th, 2015.  Be sure not to miss it!  This annual contest should end up being a terrific event with decent prizes.  Be the first to win! 

Join in and enjoy!

http://underthebasho.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=78

Don

The Contest is open as of today.  Write your best: send your best!  Join in this exciting event!  Three places to be chosen: 1st, 2nd, 3rd; and, five honorable mentions.  Awards are in USA $ and are 500 for 1st; 150 for 2nd; 50 for 3rd.  All winners and honorable mentions receive certificates.  Read about it here!!!  Exciting and challenging. Contest is inclusive: traditional 5/7/5; shiki-shasei haiku; hokku; modern haiku; one line all encouraged.  No concrete allowed.  :)

http://underthebasho.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=78 


Closing is February 15th 2014!  Mark your calendars and don't forget to enter!!!

Don

Wow... Martin.  We have poems that are twinned!  I cannot post it here because it is in submission with a journal.  But, I will send it privately at some point.  We have fine minds: and, they think haiku alike.  :)

Beautiful poem!

Submissions are open again for Under the Basho, Haiku Journal.  Join in.  http://www.underthebasho.com

Also, our dream anthology after two years of pondering is here!  Join in by going to Under the Basho and then clicking the Living Haiku Anthology button.  It will take you in ... introduce you to another complete world of poetry ... where we will soon hit a 1000 poems for easy access at your finger tips to do research as well as read your favorite poets (or up and coming ones) ..... without having to "hunt" for their poems around the internet.  Each featured poet will have up to 50 poems on display for reading and research!  It's a one of a kind website.  Or click here!  http://underthebasho.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=51&Itemid=238

Submissions are being accepted for both the Under the Basho Journal and the Living Haiku Anthology!

Welcome aboard!  Submit soon!

thanks and blessings,

Don

Hi Julie,

We're focusing on haiku/hokku and not quite ready for scifi and horror-ku.  Thanks for thinking of us however. We have acceptance for 5/7/5, haiku (shiki), modern haiku, and stand-alone hokku.

We want to include as many folks as possible, from all over the world.  It's a world anthology - voice.  Best quality poems .....

thanks,

Don

Hello fellow haiku poets and members!!!


We have introduced the Living Haiku Anthology which has raised a lot of excitement and joy amongst readers and writers of all styles of haiku around the world!

This is an inclusive anthology; it is one of the many voices that are living, breathing, and writing haiku today! It is one that accepts and embraces published works - to give them a public home to be read and enjoyed over and over again.

We have just opened it up for submissions! Please, everyone, drop by the page ... know that we are doing our best to represent all haiku voices well ... and fair.

You can submit up to 15 haiku initially. Following that you will be able to develop your presence there (a Living, organic, developing, morphing Anthology) up to 50 poems. (and maybe more once we have this project running smooth and well developed)

You may also submit any poems that you have written up and including to 2012. Please wait to submit poems that you have written in 2013. Those will be encouraged in a few months - 2014.

Visit the page. Write me your comments. Visit us on Facebook!!! https://www.facebook.com/groups/haiku.anthology/

Bring all voices: all poets welcome; submit your finest material and be proud of an Anthology that is for you as well as the readers!

This is a place called home. Park your poetry in this archive of excellence!   

http://underthebasho.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=51&Itemid=238

Thank you!

Don and Hansha

Good news!  Now available at Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/as-the-crow-flies-don-baird/1115423855?ean=9781300436904


Their page looks great!  :)

Don