Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Chen-ou Liu & Asni Amin: Wednesday Haiku, #158

Woodblock by Yoshitoshi


last cherry petals
drift to the ground
I miss myself
Chen-ou Liu


Woodblock by Torii Kotondo



the silence
of snowflakes falling …
falling

Asni Amin


Art by Ohara Kuson



just when my house
has gotten used to deep snow...
spring blossoms

Issa
translated by David G. Lanoue


best,
Don

PS  Click to learn how to contribute to Wednesday Haiku

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Albert Huffstickler Poem in New Arianna Huffington Book


Anyone who reads this blog regularly or has been a subscriber to Lilliput Review from way back knows how much I love the work of Albert Huffstickler. A few months back I was contacted by a representative of Arianna Huffington about reprinting a poem by Huff that I had published in Lilliput Review #117 and, subsequently, in a blog post (scroll to end) for Lilliput's previous blog, Beneath Cherry Blossoms, where Ms. Huffington evidently encountered the poem. 

I, of course, had no objections, but needed to help find out who held the rights to the poem in the Huffstickler family. After a number of contacts, I was able to direct Ms. Huffington's representative to a member of the family who was able to grant permission. 

This is quite a journey by this brief, powerful poem by a small press poet who touched so many souls while he was alive and the decade plus since he's death. I don't know the print run for Thrive, but its a New York Times Bestseller, so 6 figures is not out of the question, possibly more considering the Internet dominance of her site, The Huffington Post.

And then, there is that poem that touched her like so many have been touched by Huff's work:

We forget we're
mostly water
till the rain falls
and every atom
in our body
starts to go home.
    Albert Huffstickler

I'm not sure what Huff would make of all this but I'm betting that he'd think, well, if a hundred thousand or so people read this one poem and if a it grabs a handful, I've done my job well.

Huff, 13 years after you've gone and you've still got it. Now that would bring a quick smile before returning to the next cup of coffee, the next cigarette, and the next blank sheet of paper beckoning for your whole heart and soul.

Thanks again, Huff. And thanks to Arianna Huffington, for passing a gift on to so many who would otherwise not known.

------------------



a day for wandering
a day for haiku...
spring rain

Issa
translated by David G. Lanoue


Wonderful video on Huff by Matthew Listiak


best,
Don

PS If anyone would like a copy of Lilliput Review #117 with the Huff poem, drop me a line. It's still available.  






Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Chen-ou Liu & H. Edgar Hix: Wednesday Haiku, #157


Photo by Jessamyn



sonogram heartbeat …
frost flowers
blooming on the window
Chen-ou Liu



Photo by Monteregina



Snowdrift:
Blank canvas
already painted.
H. Edgar Hix



 Art by Hokkei



the pheasant's cry sounds
half-hearted...
spring begins

Issa
translated by David G. Lanoue


best,
Don

PS  Click to learn how to contribute to Wednesday Haiku
 

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Ed Baker: Saturday Serenade




this old fool
here 73 years
sipping ginseng tea
Ed Baker




Geisha with Doll by Hososda Eishi 



today
even in the mountain hut
rice cake for a doll
Issa
translated by David G. Lanoue


Happy Birthday, Ed ...


best,
Don

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Mary Frederick Ahearn & Walt Mehring: Wednesday Haiku, #156

Photo by Iprozac

 
  days you believe
  days you can't
a trick of the light

Mary Frederick Ahearn




Photo by Denis Collette



Snow flakes
flying past headlights -
only whispers

Walt Mehring




Photo by Kthypryn




just a smidgen of light
from the snow...
latrine alley 

Issa
translated by David G. Lanoue




best,
Don

Sunday, April 13, 2014

William Stafford: A Sunday Serenade

The Swallows by Felix Bracquemond 


The Well Rising

    The well rising without sound,
    the spring on a hillside,
    the plowshare through deep ground
    everywhere in the field-

    The sharp swallows in their swerve
    flaring and hesitating
    hunting for the final curve
    coming closer and closer-

    The swallow heart from wing beat to wing beat
    counseling decision, decision;
    thunderous examples. I place my feet
    with care in such a world.

                    William Stafford



I've been trying to write a swallow poem for the better part of my life. I ran across this the other day and thought, well, there it is. Not by me, but there it is.

Beautiful poem by the beautiful William Stafford.

----------------------

It is with great sadness I note the passing of one of the greatest singer/songwriters of his generation: Jesse Winchester. He came into the public eye when he emigrated to Canada to avoid the draft and his first self-titled album was produced by the Band's Robbie Robertson (and the Band plays on two cuts). 


Give a listen to his little known masterpiece, 3rd Down, 110 to Goonce you start, it's hard to stop. Rest in piece, friend.

----------------------

Photo by Tom Soper


evening tide--
on the grass blade's tip
a red dragonfly

Issa
translated by David G. Lanoue


best,
Don

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Poornima Laxmeshwar & Olivier Schopfer: Wednesday Haiku, #155


Photo by MJmerry


behind the train window
the moon
travels with us

    Olivier Schopfer



 Photo by tinali778



still pond -
the water holds lotuses
and the sun

Poornima Laxmeshwar




Photo by metimbers2000



in the beach breeze
my travels forgotten...
evening cool
Issa
translated by David G. Lanoue


best,
Don

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Madam Medusa: Issa's Sunday Service, #186


In case of wonky widget, click here

This week's selection, Madam Medusa by UB40, is a Sunday morning/afternoon stretch out your legs, space out your mind, little adventure in relax-to-the-max. Greek mythology gives us the lit connection for the week.

For those of a certain age, who got their Greek myth from Harryhausen before Hamilton, here's a little something to dust off a memory. For those raised in the digital age, here's some old school schooling:


--------------

the great demoness
flits and flutters...
paper fan
Issa
translated by David G. Lanoue

best,
Don

PS. Get 2 free issues. Get 2 more free issues. 


Send one haiku for the Wednesday Haiku feature. Here's how.

Go to the LitRock web site for a list of all 185 songs

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Sherryl Anders & Kirsten Cliff: Wednesday Haiku, #154


Photo by Alvimann


ugly kitchen clock
plastic hands circling
eternity
Sherryl Anders






stretched
the length of this sunset
Monday blues
Kirsten Cliff







shallow river--
on hands rinsing a kettle
spring moon
Issa
translated by David G. Lanoue




best,
Don

 Send one haiku for the Wednesday Haiku feature. Here's how.

  Go to the LitRock web site for a list of all 185 songs