 Nudged by poet friend Lynn Gilbert (of Ann Arbor, MI and Pfleugerville, TX) I submitted the haiku I shared with you on April 10, “Enlightenment,” to the annual haiku anthology competition of Philadelphia’s Moonstone Art Center. I am so glad that I did! This haiku (which would not exist but for all of you) was accepted into the anthology. I will also be reading it at a virtual event on Sunday, April 19, 2026 (1:00 p.m. CST). You are all invited to attend. |
Sunday April 19, 2026
2pm – VIRTUAL
National Haiku Poetry Day
National Haiku Day, an initiative of The Haiku Foundation, celebrates the art form every April 17. A haiku is an ancient form of Japanese poetry that consists of three lines with the syllable structure “five-seven-five” — although this is contested for being a western way of teaching the haiku. Japanese haikus also count sounds, not only syllables. Haikus typically revolve around nature, the passing of seasons, or ephemeral beauty. At the risk of sounding like your high school English teacher, they rely more on images than metaphors. They’re also very concise, due to their short length.
To register for the reading–no cost–click HERE. To purchase a copy of the 2026 Haiku Anthology, take a look at Moonstone Arts Center’s site.
Context for Poems “Morning Yolk” & “Messages”:
Until tomorrow,
LESLIE
Thank you!
Earth Day is a magnificent holiday–enjoy! Leslie
Thank you, dear Lynn,
I love a patisan reader, especially another poet! Leslie
Congratulations, Leslie.
Sadly won’t be able to hear you read your haiku on Sunday. Earth Day celebrating local farmers is all that afternoon! Have fun.
Basho could not have done better.
Wow.