Sometimes I'm asked about my chop, the red stamp with which I sign my haiku postcards.
Early in my haiku-writing career (2011), my haiku caught the eye of Dr. Jan W. Walls, a retired professor of Chinese language, culture and intercultural communication, and currently Professor Emeritus at Simon Fraser University. (And no slouch as a poet, either.) He translated two of them, and dubbed me with the Chinese name ān dù which translates as "peaceful crossing [of the river of life]".
In 2012, when I was formulating my first round of haiku postcards, I wanted to approximate that visual element of Asian art, namely the red chop. Jan provided the characters and I ordered a custom jade chop from China. (You can see the chop in the photo for haiku 20221220). I originally used a red ink pad off the art store shelf, but a few years ago, I upgraded to a fancy cinnabar-based ink from China that is bold and has a unique texture.
Between haiku projects, I've used the chop to sign personal letters, copies of my novel Sleepwalking in Paradise, and random art.
Anyway, here are this week’s seven haiku, and their snail-mail destinations.
haiku 20230109 >> Portland, OR USA
mountain storm a branch flush with leaves draped across the fence
haiku 20230110 >> Manassas, VA USA
showering at a friend's which shampoo to use
haiku 20230111 >> Allendale, NJ USA
rainy day errands
my boots still wet
from yesterday
haiku 20230112 >> Bethlehem, PA USA
busy day ahead the dog might have to nap alone
haiku 20230113 >> Jackson, MS USA
weeks of rain I've lost track of the moon
haiku 20230114 >> Bakersfield, CA USA
twenty five years I still call it my mother's dresser
haiku 20230115 >> Walnut Creek, CA USA
cabin fever the dog and I missing our walks
There you have them! See you all next week.
And don’t forget, if you want a haiku postcard just for you, all you gotta do is ask.
It isn't enough that each haiku is simplistically brilliant - the pairing with the photos takes it to another level. Bravo.
Great haiku and as always, excellent photographs.