This is a prime example of everything haiku should not be! While haiku are not counted in syllables -yes your 4th grade teacher lied to you (take heart she most likely did not know) and this book does not hold to the 17 count -the fact is haiku should be shorter not longer. Haiku do not rhyme again except in this book. At least the editor refrained from giving the haiku titles.
Many of the great haiku masters are here in pure doggerel translation. Read the book as short poetry but do not for a second think it is a book of haiku. In fact nearly half the book does not pretend to be haiku but something the editor chooses to call "Odes." True to her utter lack of understanding of haiku she also is clueless about what makes an ode.
I am glad I have the book in my library to show examples of both poor translation and haiku.
Many of the great haiku masters are here in pure doggerel translation. Read the book as short poetry but do not for a second think it is a book of haiku. In fact nearly half the book does not pretend to be haiku but something the editor chooses to call "Odes." True to her utter lack of understanding of haiku she also is clueless about what makes an ode.
I am glad I have the book in my library to show examples of both poor translation and haiku.
