Though I have only recently attempted the haiku form, I’ve admired it for much longer. Virgilio has been at the top of that admired list, especially since he was from the greater Philadelphia area. The aforementioned article is about an event to celebrate the life and work of the Camden haiku master twenty years after his passing.

And while I’m droning on about Virgilio, I should mention the Nick Virgilio Poetry Project — a fine website put up by Rutgers University in his honor. It has a nice archive of his work, including my favorite of his haiku:

my spring love affair:
the old upright Remington
wears a new ribbon

Most people seem to like “Lily” better, but whatever your taste in haiku, you should check out the site.

Comments

• January 26, 2009, PJ writes: I love reading haikus, but I've never even heard of this guy. Thanks for pointing out the website, there's some neat stuff over there.
• January 26, 2009, howard writes: He's an all-timer. I didn't hear of him myself until after his death, but the whole story has always facsinated me. And, of course, I love the haiku.

Comments

• January 31, 2008, Anna writes: Sounds like a nice moment. Maybe she's smiling at the thought of inspiring you to write a haiku :)
• January 31, 2008, howard writes: It wouldn't surprise me if she was. Women are usually a step or two ahead of me anyway.
• February 2, 2008, Anna writes: Just how we like it ;)