Reviews

Haiku in English: The First Hundred Years by Jim Kacian, Philip Rowland, Billy Collins, Allan Burns

jfeeney37's review

5.0

Very good selection of English language haikus. 

lastokes61's review

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

3.0

 This is a well researched and well written anthology of English language haiku. Probably a little deeper and more academic than I was ready for but I did enjoy learning a bit of the history of ELH (English Language Haiku). Following the changes in the form of the ELH over its first hundred years through the different poets was interesting. Many poems resonated with me and others left me clueless. My knowledge of haiku was my middle school teacher having us write 3-line poems with the syllable count of 5-7-5. The development of ELH has gone beyond this yet still holds to some of the traditional Japanese features. The overview at the end of the book was a bit difficult for me to follow but I liked the way the editor wrapped up the changes in form of ELH in the last paragraphs. Talking about the approach to the "wild" in traditional haiku and how that takes on new meaning today with human sprawl, climate change, and our alienation from nature.

"Perhaps we can find reconciliation of these concerns, and our way forward in haiku,
in the spirit of one of its great exemplars. Basho wrote, 'Do not seek to follow in the
footsteps of the masters. Seek what they sought.' It is the cultivation of this spirit
that will most ensure that haiku continues asa living poetic genre." Jim Kacian 

kristopherbiernat's review

medium-paced

4.5

patrick_'s review

4.0

Good sampling of what haiku can be in English. Overview gives plenty of details and resources to explore. Some poets only represented by one poem, which makes it hard to compare contributions.

orionmissing's review

4.0

How fun!