What a joy our dedicated Journal LEAF for THE DAILY HAIKU continues to be. I am thrilled to announce the publication of LEAF Issue Eight brought to life again by the wonderful guiding editorial stewardship of Ravi Kiran and our wider team of contributors, Ron C. Moss returning to bring us the Haiga Commentary and after over two years of contributions Keith Evetts hands over the torch to Sébastien Revon to curate the Haiku Commentary. And of course, in charge of designing, LEAF into the beautiful jewel of inspiration it has become, is the talented Jade Wildgoose who from the start has helped us establish our stylish identity.
LEAF Issue Eight is the second issue of our third year of THE DAILY HAIKU Journal and it is another bumper edition for you to cherish. It continues to firmly establish itself on the wider haiku and haiga Journal stage. What is especially pleasing is the diversity of voices and the arrival of new members to enjoy.
Enjoy reading LEAF Issue Eight here, do post comments and share with your friends.
To all the amazing artists in this edition, from the poetry to imagery, what an amazing compilation. The showcased talent is extraordinary. You lit a candle. Unfortunately the commentary by Sebastian Revon has diluted the shine brought by the artists. The commentary, which attempts to educate and describe a personal opinion about art, specifically haiku/senryu, and poem meaning and form, in an attempt to compare it to ego captured poetry is very subjective. What’s quite comedic is that through the philosophical attempt to “educate” the authors and readers, Mr. Revon has ironically proven his own point, successfully authoring an ego-driven commentary with very limited scope. An attempt to educate and change perspective on how one may write or read poetry, especially this form. Poetry is not born in a classroom, but born in the soul, deep in the bones. Art may not touch everyone, but those that it does, make it truly a magical experience for the artist and the reader/viewer. Art is feeling, a journey and being able to display that feeling creatively. Regardless of the commentary by Mr. Revon, your flame was not doused. The journey through that creativity, in my opinion, was exceptional.
Despite your kind and generous praise for LEAF Eight I do not share your harsh critique of Sébastien’s brilliant commentary. Where you see ego I see passion and curiosity, a thirst for knowledge and a deeply creative soul. I was thrilled that Sébastien agreed to be our new Haiku and Senryu Commentary editor and would follow on with a likeminded and keen eye from Keith Evett’s to engage and enhance LEAF and its work. Sébastien’s Commentary engages and inspires. No this is not ego it is community and generosity. I have only gratitude to offer Sébastien as well as a strong conviction that his writing whether haiku and senryu or here commentary has a very real and authentic heart.
Thank you for taking the time to respond so attentively. I agree with you that art is born in the bones, not in theory, and nothing should ever dim the flame of genuine creation. At the same time, my commentary is not a decree or an attempt to diminish anyone’s work — it is simply one personal lens shaped by my dialogue with haiku. Feeling and reflection, soul and form, can coexist. What matters most to me is that the poems remain the true centre — and on that, I believe we fully agree.
This issue is an exceptionally abundant curation of art that will bring me back again and again. I am honored that my work is part of LEAF Issue 8 with so many illustrious poets. Thank you Ravi Kiran and everyone who worked to bring this issue into being.
I really enjoyed the powerful imagery and symbolism portrayed by your beautiful trio of haiku selected for LEAF Issue 8 by Ravi. The prison bar shadows immediately contain the reader to the finale of this haiku’s housebound claustrophobic tone and yet… it questions whether the person within is truly housebound and emprisoned or willingly. Perhaps it speaks to my own happy hibernation in the wilds of wintery West Penwith. It has a filmic quality, each line draws you in further to the interior or its own interior and the interior of the person who is housebound. Wonderful.
window bars
cast prison shadows
—housebound
The monoku expertly crescendos to the power of the word ‘reign’. We are of course reminded of Icarus but here it is not sun but clouds and perhaps a quieter tone, a woman walking alone and drifting upwards towards the clouds with her thoughts and feeling empowered. It is a great contrast to the previous haiku and its internal prison. Here is freedom, sky, imagination, confidence…
closer to the clouds I start to reign
Dandelions can symbolise resilience, hope and healing. This haiku seems to suggest all three. After the prison, the clouds this delightful trio takes us to the end of summer and goodbyes to warmer days. For me the overriding tone here is one of hope through the emphasis of the word ‘again’, summer whilst over has been experienced by the writer, they have survived to say goodbye and the expectation is that another summer will come.
dandelions bloom
again at summer’s end—
the farewell tour
There is a cadence and rhythm that makes these three ku work so well together although they are also very powerful individual pieces that deserve our attention and expand our thoughts and connection on re-reading. I found them highly relatable. Thank you.
A myriad universe of life experiences and creativity is showcased in this compilation. May LEAF continue to flourish !
Amita you have been such a constant and inspiring member of THE DAILY HAIKU from our beginnings during the Covid19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020. Thank you for your membership, support and of course your writing which I always enjoy reading.
The changing of the seasons is perfectly captured in your first haiku ‘autumn breeze’. It immediately engages our senses with an intense and relatable sequence of images where touch and sound are initially aroused with the feel of the breeze followed by the evocative smell of apple cinnamon from the lighting of a candle which brings all senses together so beautifully. The lighting of a candle emphasises the dimming of light but also alludes to remembrance. Autumn is a season for ageing and reminiscence. We think too of the person lighting the candle, where they might be and that smell of apple cinnamon transports me to another continent, brings me closer to you.
autumn breeze
apple cinnamon scent
wafts from a candle
Your second haiku touches on that bittersweet feeling of being able to participate still, here in voting, but not in person perhaps for issues that might suggest absence, work or mobility issues. This is a modern world that offers us options yet we still miss that ability to be there in person. Yet the tone is hopeful and stresses the importance of democracy and the right to vote. Sharp, honest and with the last two words ‘this time’ deeply personal.
convenience
yet admission of defeat
voting from home this time
The image from your haiga is beautifully chosen, the transparent and dancing hanging cloths, perhaps clothes but also perhaps decoration in a tree. It is an arresting image that is enhanced by your words that offer us an engaging invitation to consider too whether to be still or busy, whether we have the energy or ability to be busy and can only now be still or want to enjoy the afternoon and the view of the dancing cloths hanging before us being busy for us! So much to enjoy here. And your haiga returns us to autumn and a particular time of day, afternoon. Again an imagery that is rooted in contemplation and older age. Lovely.
october afternoon
so many things to do
or not to do
Thank you for your creativity.
This issue offers so much to see, feel and contemplate. Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing out Issue 8.
Happy to see my poems featured in this beautiful journal. My heartfelt gratitude to Ravi Kiran and others involved in compiling this issue. Hearty congratulations to all the featured poets.
Belated feedback on your beautiful haiku Sathya.
Your work has such presence and atmosphere.
In the first of your trio of haiku the great horned owl against the frosty moon absolutely symbolises winter as if we are walking together and glimpsing such a dramatic and arresting sight. It puts us in touch with nature and its overriding power and eternal presence. This seasonal haiku places the reader directly into the scene, it brings a sense of deep contemplation and reflection. The moon both eclipses and inspires us. Beautiful.
Winter bleeds into the following haiku where the soldiers are discussing their life after – it is a deeply moving piece that cuts straight to the cruel heart of war and human loss. In reading we instantly turn the life after into the after life. We feel that fragile state of a balance between life and death. Here the soldiers are stuck but their words offer a freedom yet also a knowing threat that all could be over in an instant. While the soldiers are at once bonded but also distracted I felt a darker feeling that in that moment not freedom but death may come. Loved this haiku.
The kite festival haiku also brings strong and instantly recognisable imagery whilst contrasting the human urge to be distracted by something else – here the migrating geese. Whilst the kites appear to fly, they are of course stuck and controlled by humans while the birds provide a freedom and borderless opportunity. Human v nature. The kite competition stresses the individual, the competition, the ego and here the geese work together as a flock with a clear and imbedded plan. Both are spectacles to enjoy yet there is something more enduring about the geese, that natural pattern of life that humans have fought against. Still, the kites themselves emulate the beauty of birds and offer the person operating the kite a moment of wonder and those watching an excitement from the mundane. Much again to mull over here. Bravo.
I completely agree with you, Amanda. Sebastien is generous and insightful in both English and French.
I really like his comments because he questions his feelings and opinions and never shows any ego. He makes us think about what haiku is…
Thank you very much for this wonderful, rich, eclectic and comprehensive review. It’s a pleasure to work with LEAF.
Thank you Francoise for your thoughtful response. I think your comment ‘He (Sébastien) makes us think about what haiku is…’ is absolutely what his commentary and his wider involvement with haiku does, it not only makes us think about what haiku is but what we can bring to haiku and encourages creativity and originality.
I’m diving in again and again to this inspiring LEAF Issue 8! I find myself catching my breath as I read. A million thanks to Amanda White for creating this wonderful group and to Ravi Kiran for his generous and thoughtful selections of poems! I am so grateful and honored to have work included. Congratulations to all the poets and to the entire Creative Team that brought this lovely journal into being! The artwork is stunning and I always appreciate the commentaries by Sébastien and Ron and Keith. Thank you everyone!
P.S. TDH has become my daily bread.
Het is een plezier om tussen zoveel getalenteerde dichters te mogen staan. Hartelijk dan aan redacteur Ravi Kiran en zijn voltallig team, alsook aan Amanda White.
It is a pleasure to be among so many talented poets. Congratulations to editor Ravi Kiran and his entire team, as well as Amanda White.
Such a beautiful issue, honoured to be included with so many fine writers.
Thank you do much to Ravi Kiran for editing Leaf 8 and Amanda, of course, and all of those involved in its production. It’s an inspiring read, with some wonderful work from many talented poets. I’m humbled to have a small piece here,Thank you.
With every new issue of LEAF journal, I am blown away with the depth and observation of every haiku and haiga published. Issue Eight carries the words and pictures we have come to expect in quality of verse, but disperses them under new light. To all the poets on its pages and to all the people behind the pages, I thank you for the delightful, thought-provoking work you do.
Congratulations to Ravi and Amanda, and to all the fine contributors,
It’s an honor to be included in LEAF 8. Wishing continued success to all!
Thank you, Ravi and Amanda, for your hard work resulting in this beautiful edition!
Happy and proud that two of my pieces were also selected along with that with so many famous poets!