Author Description

"An excellent haiku beginner's book with a large selection of original verse, fully illustrated throughout." (Robert Dell, Primary School Headmaster, Hertfordshire, UK) "A fascinating publication, unique in its kind." (Graham Wade, Author and Musician, East Yorkshire, UK) For a 'Beginner', says the author, composing and writing Haiku or Senryu verses, in English, can prove to be a most enjoyable, rewarding - and challenging - endeavour. For those who have become intrigued by this ancient yet so 'mindfully poetic' Japanese short-form verses, the author believes this comprehensive introduction will prove the helping hand that anyone can assimilate, and begin writing their first verses in English. Its opening 'essay' and following Guidelines are accompanied by hundreds of the author's original English verses - in the traditional 5-7-5 syllable 'three-liners'. Rather than display haiku and senryu as one inter-mixed offering, the book is sectioned under 'titles' - Haiku and Seasons, Everyday Senryu, Philosophy and Psychology, and Spirit. Finally, a section of Potpourri verses - with its own 'challenge' for the beginner. He encourages the beginner with 'Try and succeed is to be your aim, your intent, your desire' adding that 'A little talent goes a long way - and you all have that'.