Chop Story

All seven daily haiku from Haiku Andy 01/09/23 - 01/15/23

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.

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haiku 20230109 >> Portland, OR USA

mountain storm 
a branch flush with leaves 
draped across the fence 

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haiku 20230110 >> Manassas, VA USA

showering 
at a friend's 
which shampoo to use

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haiku 20230111 >> Allendale, NJ USA

 rainy day errands 
my boots still wet 
from yesterday  

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haiku 20230112 >> Bethlehem, PA USA

busy day ahead 
the dog might have to 
nap alone 

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haiku 20230113 >> Jackson, MS USA

weeks of rain 
I've lost track 
of the moon

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haiku 20230114 >> Bakersfield, CA USA

twenty five years 
I still call it 
my mother's dresser

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haiku 20230115 >> Walnut Creek, CA USA

cabin fever 
the dog and I 
missing our walks

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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.