I’ve resided in a remote Ontario cottage for several weeks. Yesterday, a blizzard was blowing and so I stayed in and enjoyed conversing with Issa via the medium of his translators' books. As I read and write notes, I notice a particularly ominous spider web and remember that Issa offers this haiku for consideration . … Continue reading Conversations with Issa: A Haibun
Close Encounters of an Italian Kind
Strapped into a too-narrow, no leg-room Air Canada seat, I’m editing a manuscript, and the distinguished-looking fellow beside me looks over and, in a strong Italian accent, says, “Are you a writer or editor?” “I’m revising some of my writing,” I reply, and hand him a copy of my last haibun collection, hoping it will … Continue reading Close Encounters of an Italian Kind
Chin Down
My daughter’s ashes are now spread in places she loved, although I have a hard time remembering when she loved anything but drugs, and lived anywhere but on the streets. We did our best, I’ve often thought to myself and even said aloud as we spread her ashes in a mountain meadow. You could have … Continue reading Chin Down
Exploring Haibun, Haiga and Haiku
Welcome. My intent is to show examples and to discuss contemporary English-language haibun and haiga which necessitate also exploring haiku (haibun prose's and haiga image's little partner). Haibun: A mix of Title, prose and haiku. Akin to short memoirs and personal essays. Typically non-fiction.Haibun: A mix of image and haiku. Images including paintings of any … Continue reading Exploring Haibun, Haiga and Haiku
Red Licorice
. . . if they fail to express what is in their own minds, what is the use, no matter how many poems they compose! ~ Ryokan The doorbell rings. On the porch, standing in a downpour, is a very wet girl in baggy clothes. Her hair is mouse-brown with red and green streaks, her … Continue reading Red Licorice
What Are You Up To?
The sun’s rays filter through a stand of spruce where twenty horses are hitched. As we unpack them, Dave, a lanky outfitter, and I chat about the grizzly we spotted earlier in the day and how the horses are holding up. men’s talk – the smell of sweat and manure Dave asks, “Ray, what are … Continue reading What Are You Up To?
Haiga Galleries: haiga – a mix of image and haiku
Haigaonline Journal: Daily Haiga Journal: an'ya: Haiga Gallery Pamela A. Babusci: Haiga Gallery Ron Moss: Haiga Gallery Nicole Hague-Andrews’ Haiga pages Maria Tomczak: Haiga Gallery Ray Rasmussen: A Covid Summer, 2020 [other haiga themes along with examples by other haiga practitioners will be added from time to time] About Haiga As is the case with … Continue reading Haiga Galleries: haiga – a mix of image and haiku
Best Intentions
| Recently Published Haibun by Ray Rasmussen | image credit: unknown Hell isn't merely paved with good intentions: it's walled and roofed with them. Yes, and furnished too. ~ Aldous Huxley We’re dining on ginger beef and cod in black bean sauce, flavored with catch-up chat. My friend Kathy, leans toward me and says, “I … Continue reading Best Intentions
The Ask. A haibun by Ray Rasmussen
| Recently Published Haibun by Ray Rasmussen | image by r. rasmussen The Ask My lover asks me: "What is the difference between me and the sky?" ~ Nizar Qabbani After reading Qabbani’s poem together, my lover smiles and asks: “What’s the difference between me and the sky?” The difference, my love, is when … Continue reading The Ask. A haibun by Ray Rasmussen
Published Haibun by Ray Rasmussen
canoe & cloud, Lake Edith, Jasper National Park : r. rasmussen I don't intend this blog to be a showcase for my published work. However, in case you want to see writing by the guy who's pontificating about haibun and haiku on this blog, here are some my haibun published at a variety of venues: … Continue reading Published Haibun by Ray Rasmussen
Ray Rasmussen: All Things Haibun Blog 