so small
moon in the bare tree
but it moves the tides
~ mankh
Though its roots go back at least 2600 years, haiku began to flourish in 17th century Japan. Akin to Zen Buddhist and Taoist philosophy (and other Asian arts), haiku poetry encourages attention to the present moment as well as keeping connected with the pathway of seasons. A wonderful way to align with nature, enhance one's mindfulness (as well as Zen mindlessness), and hone your verbal skills (being so short, haiku require great precision!). Learn about haiku as a way of life, literary genre and creative hobby. Workshop topics include: a brief history of the shortest poetic form; traditional guidelines and modern adaptations; the Asian culture, philosophy, and meditative-ness behind the poem; how to write haiku AND apply the haiku-essence to longer poems. For beginner to advanced.
Mankh (Walter E. Harris III) authored/edited “Haiku One Breaths: a voice through a tangle” (1/2 how-to write haiku, 1/2 anthology) and he edits/publishes an annual “Haiku Calendar.” His haiku and essays have also been published in Frogpond, at simplyhaiku.com, and elsewhere. He is a resident poet and essay contributor at axisoflogic.com and a small press publisher of Allbook Books. Writing haikus are an expression of his love for Mother Nature and of his Taoist and Zen experiences. Mankh’s other pathway guideposts are Mystical Kaballah, tantra, spiritual alchemy, and humor. He enjoys music, munchies, and more; his new book of nonfiction with a poetic touch is “photo albums of the heart-mind”.