The Friday Influence

I lay down
all the heavy packages —
autumn moon.

Patricia Donegan

*

reaching the top
of the mountain
losing the mountain

Michael Fessler

*

losing its name
a river
enters the sea

John Sandbach

*

say no words
time is collapsing
in the woods

Sonia Sanchez

*

The above haiku are drawn from Haiku in English: The First Hundred Years, an anthology I spent time with this week as I wrapped up work at the CR for the semester. The editors provide a great sense of the many paths haiku has been taken on in the English language. I like returning to short lyric forms as seasons change. Helps me pay attention to the details.

Before I share more excerpts from this great anthology, I wanted to thank everyone who entered the Goodreads giveaway for Everything We Think We Hear! Winners have been chosen and will have books sent their way next week. The ten winners will also be receiving copies of the latest Mosca Dragón, my monopoem series. This issue features another poem from my forthcoming collection Small Fires.

Additionally, I am doing a MONOPOEM GIVEAWAY as a thank you to all of you who follow my blog. In order to participate, simply leave a comment below stating your interest in receiving a monopoem. I will keep track of who comments and will pick winners at random. The announcement of winners will be on Wednesday, December 14th! Feel free to comment on this post for a chance to win (on Monday, I’ll give folks another chance).

Here are a few more excerpts from the haiku anthology:

rising river
a shadow still wedged
between the rocks

Susan Constable

*

In the falling snow
A laughing boy holds out his palms
Until they are white.

Richard Wright

*

whittling
till there’s nothing left
of the light

Jim Kacian

*

mother’s day
a nurse unties
the restraints

Roberta Beary

*

Happy detailing!

José