The Japanese Haiku is a poem of such subtlety that it defies translation, let alone imitation in any other language.* It has become customary, however, to call poetic flashes inspired by the Japanese form, "haiku", in English too. The best among them capture a moment of intense awareness; they awake your senses. No comment by the poet; simply one given moment which is fully - and thus gratefully - perceived.

Japanese haiku are calligraphy as much as they are poems. They are meant to be read with the eyes, not to be read aloud. The way they look on the page is part of the poet's art. As far as I know, translations into English have never attempted to reproduce this aspect of haiku. But why not? Let me try it here. (click here for examples). Your comments and suggestions will be welcome. — Br. David