Haiku Chronicles

Join us to celebrate African American haiku with special guest poet, Crystal Simone Smith.  Featuring readings by Crystal, Lamont B. Steptoe, L. Teresa Church, Gideon Young, Lenard Moore, and Valeria Bullock.

To kick-off, National Poetry Month enjoy a delightful reading of haibun (haiku prose) by our special guest Welsh poet, Lew Watts.

Listen in and bug out with poet, naturalist, and Educator, Jeff Hoagland, who shares his presentation “Crawling with Insects” at the Haiku North America Conference 2019 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Plus, a reading of favorite bug haiku.   

Video Episode: Join us in the forests of Washington state for a nature walk with poet and naturalist, Ruth Yarrow at the Seabeck Haiku Getaway (2014). The Haiku Getaway is an annual retreat held every October and sponsored by the poetry group, Haiku Northwest. The video ends with a few poems by Ruth Yarrow, followed by a selection of haiku by other poets at the Getaway. 

Come fly with us in celebration of our feathered friends the birds with special guests, poems, bird calls, music, and humor that is strictly for the birds. 

Host and poet Alan Pizzarelli wrote this haiku in the mid-1990's. Since 9/11 in 2001, this haiku has resonated with an added meaning for many readers. Let us not forget, the memory of our peaceful world, before that horrible day and make for a more peaceful future. The video footage is one of the twin towers reflecting pools and falls at the 9/11 Memorial. Each of the falls sits within the footprint where the Twin Towers once stood.

Poets/Teachers Tom Painting and Arlie Parker offer invaluable insights into the art of teaching haiku to students in the schools.  Guests include Henry Brann and Robin Palley from the Nick Virgilio Haiku Association.  A must for all teachers and haiku aficionados.

This video short exhibits classic concrete poetry, from the Calligrammes of Apollinaire, the mouse’s tail in Alice; the worldwide concrete “renaissance” of the early sixties, featuring works by Eugen Gomringer, Emmett Williams, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Mason Williams, Aram Saroyan and others, all the way to contemporary visual, animated, and kinetic concrete poetry (including haiku) by poets such as Marlene Mountain, Anita Virgil, Carlos Colon, Richard Brautigan, and much more.

A poetic journey to the Northwest Coast of Alaska, land of the totems and the Tlingit Indians.  A visual story with totemic imagery and words honoring the Raven clan and the “potlatch.”   *** NOTE: The “potlatch” is a ceremonial gathering for spiritual healing and removal of grief for the loss of an honored clan member. It begins with gathering traditional foods and creating regalia (Chilkat robes, button blankets, headdresses, masks, and other adornments) for the potlatch.  The potlatch is known for Tlingit oratory with speeches, songs, and storytelling.   *** This video is poet, Donna Beaver’s Tlingit oratory through haiku and other short poems honoring artist, friend, and Chilkat weaver, Clarissa Rizal who joined our Alaska Native ancestors in December 2016.  *** Official Haiku Chronicles Website: www.haikuchronicles.com     

Join us for a lighthearted fun episode in observance of “Bad Poetry Day.”  Al and Donna discuss three books that fit the occasion.  Spoiler Alert!  Not ALL of the poems are bad. 

In memoriam of poet Carlos Colón (1958-2016) from our Haiku Chronicles “MINI KU” series, “Celebrating Poets on the Road.” Donna and Al share mini poems and mini poetry readings on the road with their Mini Cooper.

Don’t miss this powerful performance by tanka poet, Mariko Kitakubo reading from her book, “Indigo” at the Poets House in New York City, July 30, 2016.

Alan Pizzarelli shares a letter from Professor Harold G. Henderson written to him in 1971. From his talk at the 2014 Seabeck Haiku Getaway in Seabeck, Washington. Harold G. Henderson (1889-1974) was a Japanese scholar and author of The Bamboo Room (1933) which became the revised version, An Introduction to Haiku (1958), the first notable works on modern English-language haiku. Henderson’s papers were given to the New York Public Library in 1974.

Sensei Akito Arima talks about haiku education in schools and retaining one’s originality in the art of haiku poetry. Outtake from Episode 25: Ginko - A Conversation with Dr. Akito Arima. Recorded on the Monterey Peninsula's "Refuge by the Sea" - Asilomar State Beach and Conference, California.

Part 2 of 2: An inspiring education on the art of haiga with Ion Codrescu, a Romanian-born poet, artist, essayist and educator.  

PART 1 of 2: An inspiring education on the art of haiga with Ion Codrescu, a Romanian-born poet, artist, essayist and educator.  

Haiku Chronicles is proud to present a film produced by Kala Ramesh HaikuWALL India —an attempt to bring haiku into everyday spaces. Poet, Kala Ramesh has been instrumental in bringing school kids and undergrads to haiku in India. Her latest passion is to paint city walls with haiku written by her students, helping to weave a pause, a breather into hectic lives. "One way of making poetry into action is through graffiti. While graffiti is frowned upon and considered illegal by the rest of the world, in India it gets the support of the property owners and in some places even of the government. It is not so much rebellious as reflective. " FILM CREDITS: Produced by: Kala Ramesh Directed by: Payal Kulkarni Cinematography & Editing by Kaustubh Joshi Music by: Bapu Padmanabha

To celebrate National Poetry Month and the 6th Anniversary of Haiku Chronicles, we invite you to enjoy our latest video short for Poem In Your Pocket Day.

Introducing our new series, “Haiku Chronicles Video Shorts.”  In this episode, Alan Pizzarelli reads a few of his haiku poetry along the railroad tracks. 

Haiku Chronicles is back on the fire with a discussion and review of two books by Gary Snyder, “Danger on Peaks” and “Back on the Fire” with hosts Donna Beaver and Alan Pizzarelli. This episode includes excerpts of Gary Snyder reading from his book, “Danger on Peaks” and more.

Al and Donna revisit the subject of parodies in senryu with guest poets Anita Virgil, Cor van den Heuvel , and a special cameo reading by Nick Virgilio.  This episode includes Anita reading from her essay, “New Wine from Old” followed by collaborative reading of modern English language senryu parodies and a discussion of creating  parodies today.

A video montage of urban haibun, haiku and senryu featuring poets, Naia, Deborah P. Kolodji and Gregory Longenecker; with photographs, video clips and classic jazz music. Special thanks to the poets and photographers who contributed to this episode. Thanks to jazz-on-line.com for the public domain classic jazz music.

Video Episode: Distinguished scientist, scholar, and haiku poet, Dr. Akito Arima joins us in a conversation on the subject of a ginko walk, writing haiku, and seeing the world with new eyes. HD video available on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/49465345

In this episode, the poetic form of sequences is explored with guest poets Cor van den Heuvel, Emiko Miyashita, and Bruce Kennedy. Featuring Alexis Rotella reading her classic sequence, “After an Affair; also, two new sequences by Cor van den Heuvel, "Scuba Diver" and "Long Stakeout." 

Guest poets Cor van den Heuvel,  Emiko Miyashita, and Bruce Kennedy join Al and Donna in an open discussion on haiku as a way of life.

Get on board for an exciting trip. Destination HAIGA. Donna, Al and Anita Virgil have packed classical and contemporary haiku, senryu and tanka with striking visual accompaniments -- many with a twist. HD version available on Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/34435340

A mad-cap romp at a wild Hallowe'en party with Al and Donna that tucks some classic senryu and parodies into the mouths of icons of horror and humor.

A reading of summer poems and brief discussion of season words (kigo).  

In "A Cool Assessment" poet Anita Virgil offers new insights to the underlying role Shiki's tuberculosis plays in many of his poems.

A celebration of poetry, dance, music and cherry blossoms. This video podcast features classic Japanese poetry, cultural demonstrations, and performances at Branch Brook Park, New Jersey.

A review and discussion of Makoto Ueda's book of senryu, "Light Verse from the Floating World" with hosts Donna Beaver and Alan Pizzarelli. 

Kobayashi Issa, Japan's most beloved haiku poet is put under a microscope in order to distinguish and delineate three basic directions his poems take.  Written and narrated by Anita Virgil. The complete essay of, "Issa: The Uses of Adversity" is available in the Haiku Chronicles Reading Room at: www.haikuchronicles.com    

An invaluable guide to renku composition with renku master, Kris Moon Kondo. Al and Donna join guest poets Henry Brann, Robin Palley, Penny Harter to write the collaborative poetic form Renku. Read the final Kasen Renku (36 stanzas) by poets and learn more on the Haiku Chronicles Blog page: http://haikuchronicles.com/2010/10/e15_thundermoon/

Buson’s Two Candles” is a very private interpretation/expansion of appreciation for this poet’s breadth of subject matter and his variety of “styles" of writing. Anita Virgil, an artist by training, viewed Buson’s original artwork at Asia House in NYC. The complete essay of, “Buson’s Two Candles” by Anita Virgil is available in the Haiku Chronicles, Reading Room at: www.haikuchronicles.com  

Special guests Hiroaki Sato, Yuko Otomo and Steve Dalachinsky join us in a round-table discussion of the Tanka poetry and modern Women Tanka Poets.

Undoubtedly a controversial piece, these excerpts from "The Narrow Thread" by Anita Virgil trace an innermost theme in Basho's poetry. In 2004 Ray Bradbury wrote to Virgil calling it "fascinating." The complete essay of "The Narrow Thread" is available in the Haiku Chronicles, Reading Room at: www.haikuchronicles.com

Q&A episode with the Global Haiku Students from Millikin University. Thanks to Professor Randy Brooks and the students from Millikin for their insightful questions. Special thanks to our Haiku Chronicles panelist, poet Anita Virgil for her participation and input on questions in this episode.

The Haiku related form HAIBUN is the focus of this episode, including readings of contemporary haibun by Cor van den Heuvel, Anita Virgil, Alan Pizzarelli, and Donna Beaver.

If you thought haiku was just a 17 syllable nature poem, you have another think coming! Important insights and distinctions are discussed by Anita Virgil. And she discloses her letter from Harold G. Henderson stating why he wanted haiku re-defined. The final definitions he approved are all here. Credits: Books referenced, One Potato Two Potato Etc., Peaks Press, copyright 1991 by Anita Virgil; A Haiku Path, The Haiku Society of America 1968-1988, copyright 1994 by The Haiku Society of America, Inc.

Poet Anita Virgil's invaluable "Guide to Haiku" plus the crafting of one classic haiku.

To celebrate Baseball and the World Series, Haiku Chronicles takes you "back to the ball game" with baseball haiku. Discussion and readings of baseball haiku and senryu by Cor van den Heuvel, Ed Markowski, Alan Pizzarelli, and Donna Beaver. Credit Information: Special thanks to the W. W. Norton & Company publisher of Baseball Haiku edited by Cor van den Heuvel and Nanae Tamura and the Chautauqua Institution, New York for the 2008 audio segments of Ed Markowski.  The Haydn Quartet with Harry MacDonough singing, Take me Out to the Ball Game (cir. 1908, Public Domain).

This episode focuses on the more contemporary poets and poems from the Haiku Anthology with guest Cor van den Heuvel. Credit Information: Special thanks to WHYY, Inc., Philadelphia for the 1975 audio segments of Nick Virgilio and Virginia Brady Young.  WHYY, Philadelphia

Part II, features a reading and discussion of haiku poetry by Allen Ginsberg; with guest Cor van den Heuvel. Donna Beaver and Alan Pizzarelli continue their discussion with guest Cor van den Heuvel on the history of American haiku highlighting the Beat Poets. This episode also features a reading and discussion of haiku poetry by Allen Ginsberg from his lectures at Naropa University. Credit Information: Special thanks to Bob Rosenthal, the Allen Ginsberg Project and Naropa University for the haiku segments from Allen Ginsberg’s poetry classes, “On Vividness and Close Observation in Writing” (1982) and “On Writing Poetry” (1984) at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Allen Ginsberg Project: http://www.allenginsberg.org/ Naropa University Archives: http://www.archive.org/details/naropa  

Part I, Cor van den Heuvel joins hosts Donna Beaver and Alan Pizzarelli to discuss the history of American haiku.

In this episode Donna Beaver and Alan Pizzarelli discuss the distinction between the poetic forms of Haiku and Senryu, the origins of Senryu in Japan, and its rediscovery and recognition as a poetic form in English literature. Credit for choral arrangements of Alan Pizzarelli's Senryu: "the fat lady" Performed by The Marietta Choir "buzzZ" Commissioned by soprano Maria Knapik-Sztramko for the Guelph Spring Festival, May 19, 1993 Ontario, Canada For more on Haiku Chronicles visit: http://www.haikuchronicles.com Haiku Chronicles copyright 2009

This episode of Haiku Chronicles takes us back to 16th century Japan when the first great Japanese master of haiku, Matsuo Basho wrote his breakthrough haiku, "Furu-Ike-Ya" (Old Pond). Donna Beaver and Alan Pizzarelli discuss the poem's interesting history and its influence on the poetic form of haiku.

To celebrate Poetry Month the Haiku Chronicles takes you back to March of 1979 where poets Al Pizzarelli, Cor van den Heuval, Anita Virgil, Bill Higginson, and Penny Harter recorded a reading of their poems at Studio 198 in Newark, NJ. For more on Haiku Chronicles visit: www.haikuchronicles.com Haiku Chronicles copyright 2009