One way to get through the noise--

is to stop being noise by being with the vast stillness of haiku

Haiku poetry is an invitation to be in the moment —

to find simplicity

feel a feeling

focus on awareness

and practice letting go

of conceptual thought.

Haikus create small spaces

for us to fill

with large stillness

which is why today I am called to share

Cat-Cow from my yoga poem collection,

A Poem for Every Pose

as well as other haiku

from the greats haiku artists

for you to enjoy.

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Before I share the poem, Cat-Cow, I invite you to learn more about the yoga asana here… or take a conscious breath, read on, and enjoy the poems.

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Here are two haiku by Basho, considered by some, to be Japan’s most famous poet.

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The next two haiku I want to share with you are from the 18th century poet Issa, a beloved haiku writer who turned to writing after the tragic loss of his mother.

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Here is a haiku by Chiyo-ni, a poet and nun who was a student of Basho’s.

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This next one is by Nicholas Virgilio who was considered the “Haiku Poet of Camden” and credited for helping popularize haiku in the states.

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And this last one is by the great Sonia Sanchez whose haiku swing the pendulum of personal relationships and the natural world.

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I invite you to write your own haiku as a practice of self-care and introspection —

and to also check out some of these beautiful Substacks full of haikus, how to’s, space, and solace.

Beth Kempton - Writer, mama, Japanologist. Curious explorer of the world

The Haiku Project - Dedicated to haiku poetry and other aspects of Japanese culture.

Haiku by Momo - In their words, “This is all new to me.”

Snehal’s Haiku Journal - A university student from Singapore who is a bioengineer by trade, haiku-enthusiast by passion.

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Audio for Paid Subscribers

For my dear paid subscribers, you can listen to me reading all of these haiku here.

For my other dear free subscribers, consider upgrading to become a paid subscriber. But if that is not in your script right now, no worries, I am grateful for you all!