Official Review: Haikus today by Sylvia McCabe

Twylla · Post by **Twylla** » 11 May 2020, 14:35

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Haikus today" by Sylvia McCabe.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Haikus Today by Sylvia McCabe explores simple objects, places, and experiences and invites the reader to see the world through her eyes as she pauses to capture a moment. Haiku originated in Japan, a form of poetry used to highlight the observation of the seasons and the natural world. This collection of haiku includes an Introduction to Haiku that explains what haiku is. The explanation is concise, complete, and descriptive. The collection is in two parts. Part 1 Nature includes poems about flowers, animals, and seasons with 7 photographs. Part 2 People and Places includes poems about family, society, and community with 11 photographs. The collection ends with a haiku prayer called “Peace Be Upon You.”

Technically, the plural of haiku is haiku, like the plural of deer is deer. There is no such word as “haikus”, so the title should be Haiku Today. But the author has my permission to be creative and break the rules. For most of the collection, the author adheres to the traditional format of haiku which consists of three lines: five syllables on the first line, seven on the second line, and five on the final line.

Haiku becomes very powerful when you place two things next to each other that contrast. The interplay between likeness and difference opens the reader to reflection. The following haiku compares the literal muddy waters with the symbolic purity of the mind.

“White lotus flower / growing in muddy waters / purity of mind”

My favorite haiku in the collection is the prayer at the end:

“Salaam alaikum / may we live a peaceful life / fighting is madness"
"Shalom aleichem / brothers and sisters unite / here is just one earth"
"Peace be upon us / may we live long and flourish / as loving humans"

Haiku is all about ordinary life. Even though it is ordinary, it is still interesting. This poem is about two llamas. There is also a photograph of Barry, Beethoven, and Picasso. The photographs in the book add a visual dimension to the poems.

“Barry, pack leader / Beethoven and Picasso / pellets for dinner”
“Born on the same farm / never far from each other / beautiful calmness”
“One is white one black / one has dense fiber one fine / one heavy one light”
“Two llamas grazing / ruminating in pasture / best alfalfa hay”

One of the things I like most about the book is that it includes a haiku inviting the reader to write a haiku. Line two of the following poem only has six syllables. Even though the poem does not adhere strictly to the traditional rules, I still like it. The most important thing about haiku is engaging the reader to become a writer of haiku.

“Write your own haiku / dare, create and inspire / be bold and dazzle”

Haikus Today calls gently to us to pause and take notice of the small moments each day. I am giving this collection of haiku a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. This collection is very well done and professionally edited. I didn’t find any errors. I love the haiku and the photographs that accompany them. I think the photographs alone would be worth the price of the book. They are stunning. I would recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys poetry and photography.

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Haikus today
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LinaJan · Post by **LinaJan** » 14 May 2020, 09:35

I certainly learnt something new reading the review! Maybe not just yet, but I shall give Haiku a chance when life becomes a little less turbulent. Thank you

Nujudee · Post by **Nujudee** » 14 May 2020, 17:47

Great!
Though I might not be the perfect and right audience for this book but I'm more than excited to learn so much from your review alone.
Thank you

Mrunalpatki · Post by **Mrunalpatki** » 14 May 2020, 22:58

Great review, it is very informative. I learnt something new today. I hope the "Haikus" plural error on the author's part that you pointed out was intentional though.

DEEPA PUJARI · Post by **DEEPA PUJARI** » 14 May 2020, 23:08

This is a fresh topic and I would like to know about Haiku. Love the concept of pairing elements.

Ediomis_Enwongo01 · Post by **Ediomis_Enwongo01** » 15 May 2020, 05:34

Thanks for your review. It's confusing reading the review. I wonder whether I've got the patience to go through bthe entire book.

Samwisekoop · Post by **Samwisekoop** » 15 May 2020, 10:00

Thank you for the review! I agree with @Ediomis_Enwongo01. The review is a little bit convoluted, but nonetheless, still interesting. I love haiku, so I am definitely adding this to my Bookshelves!

Sheila_Jay · Post by **Sheila_Jay** » 19 May 2020, 14:26

I have read this review twice, but I still don't seem to get what the book is all about. Anyway, I guess I will just have to pass it. Thanks for the review.

Lady-of-Literature · Post by **Lady-of-Literature** » 19 May 2020, 19:40

I love Haikus because its a simple poem wrapped up for the reader for pure enjoyment. It reminds me of that episode from Avatar when Sokka joined a Haikus club.