After the floods, a haiku trail at Hebden Bridge is launched tonight
A poetry trail of 13 haiku by John Siddique that has been installed in shops and businesses in Hebden Bridge is being launched tonight, Thursday 22 November. John said: “Reflected Lines is a poetry project developed as a way to contribute to Hebden Bridge’s reawakening after the recent floods. An artist is both part of, and separate from their society, and this series of 13 haiku serve as a gift from me to the town.” The trail will be launched tonight at Hebden Bridge's Cafe Solo at 7pm.
John added: “I have a very strong sense of the poet being as much a part of society as the post office, library, greengrocer, school, hardware store and the butcher. So after the destruction of the summer floods which did so much damage, and yet at the same time raised our community spirit by innumerable degrees, I felt that I wanted to contribute to the town's well-being and so I did what I do …. Wrote … and amazingly the town gave me some of its windows. I want to thank the town hall and Snug gallery for their wonderful support in making this happen. The trail will run until after New Year.” More details and Map
Write Out Loud interview with John: http://www.writeoutloud.net/public/blogentry.php?blogentryid=26029
PHOTOGRAPH: ED CHADWICK@SNUG_GALLERY
Isobel
Sun 18th Nov 2012 09:19
Well to be honest with you Tommy, quite a lot of poets on this site do!
I think the problem is that we see too many poor examples of it. It's not just about getting the right syllable count - it's about injecting some kind of soul into it - so that those short lines leave you with an after taste. That's how I'd describe it anyway. Other people might see it differently.
I think it's a perfect format for shops though - where people don't have time to read longer swathes. It might just attract people to poetry who wouldn't normally read it - providing that window of opportunity, if you'll pardon the pun!
If you prefer more extended writing you might like to try John's 'Full Blood'. I bought that just over a year ago and really enjoyed it.