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Arts & Entertainment

Learn To Appreciate and Write Haiku Poetry

You can learn to appreciate and write haiku in English from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,  Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Winnetka Public Library, 768 Oak St., Winnetka. The program is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the Midwest Region of the Haiku Society of America. Pre-registration is required.

 Three haiku poets will speak on topics for both beginning and experienced haikuists. Haiku is a short, poetic form that originated in Japan. It is often three lines, has seventeen syllables or less, and captures the moment with usually a reference to nature or the seasons.

 “Learning The Fun Art of Haiku” will feature a brief history of the poetic form; give participants an understanding of its style and themes to better appreciate/write it; offer analysis of well-written haiku; and include a short writing exercise for the group to complete together. Charlotte Digregorio, Midwest Regional Coordinator of HSA, will give the presentation.

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 The second presentation will be “Hey, Sparrow! The Poetry of Issa,” given by poet Heather Jagman. Kobayashi Issa, who lived from 1762-1826, was one of the great masters of haiku. Jagman will discuss his poetry in translation, give samples, and offer interesting biographical details about Issa.

Haiku poet Michael Nickels-Wisdom will speak on “Beneath The Waterflower: Currents of Haiku in Lorine Niedecker’s Poetry.” The talk will overview biographical details of the 20th century American poet, and explore how Imagism, Surrealism, Objectivism, Projectivism, and haiku flow as currents of influence in her work, during the discussion of sample poems.

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After the presentations, participants may read some of their haiku to be critiqued by the group.

The Midwest Region of HSA holds several meetings, lectures, and conferences annually with noted speakers in Chicago’s north suburbs. HSA is a not-for-profit organization to promote the writing and appreciation of haiku. HSA’s website is www.hsa-haiku.org

For more information and to pre-register, contact Charlotte Digregorio, 847-881-2664.

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