A Year in the Marshlands: Seasonal Haiku Images - Paperback

by Rojin Shoshinsha (Author)

This collection of poems are snap shots of my experience spending a year in the Marshlands Conservancy. The Marshlands, covering over two hundred acres, is composed of multiple ecological systems: bay, wet lands, conifer and deciduous trees, open fields and diverse flora and fauna typical to the northeastern United States. Although modern haiku is free from the five-seven-five syllable form of traditional Japanese haiku, I prefer the rhythm of the original form. I am also influenced by the Japanese poetry style of chirashi gaki. These poems are moments experienced as the seasons changed in the woods. The type is set vertically for two reasons. First, it is out of homage to ideographic writing of Asia based originally on pictures. Second, as westerners we have to assemble the words in our mind because we are used to reading left to right. It allows us to slow down not unlike the experience of radio versus television. Regardless, if your western or eastern, feel free to see these images from either direction.

Author Biography

He is a reclusive taijiquan master, who enjoys chado.