Bruce Ross is a past president of the Haiku Society of America and editor of "Haiku Moment, An Anthology of Contemporary North American Haiku" and author of "How to Haiku, A Writer's Guide to Haiku and Related Forms." He is the founder and publisher of Tansho Press. It's first publication (2011) is "scent of pine, A Maine Haiku Anthology." He has written extensively on haiku and placed many of his haiku and related forms in the world haiku journals. He is an expert on world spirituality, as in his book "If Not Higher, Lectures on the Poetics of Spiritual Presence and Absence." He lives with his wife Astrid in rural Maine.
Can you tell us a little about what you will be talking about at Haiku North America this year?
I will be giving a talk at HNA Seattle 2011: "Spaciousness as a Key Element in Haiku." It will discuss the Japanese concepts of "ma" (expansive possibilities that surround objects) and "mu" (emptiness), Shunryu Suzuki's concept of big vs. little mind, and Shinto animism in an attempt to uncover the possibilty that a poetics of haiku should include the issue of spaciousness.
How long have you been interested in Haiku Poetry?
I have been interested in haiku poety from the late fifties when I read what the Beats were reading and writing, including Hakuin and Kerouac's"Dharma Bums." Haiku specifically was introduced to me at this time in the Pauper Press translations of Japanese haiku and the work of Paul Reps. I was writing nature poetry then also, so the transition to haiku writing was natural.
Have you been to Haiku North America before?
I have attended every HNA meeting except the very first one.
Have you ever been to Seattle?
I have visited Seattle several times before to see the sights and visit haiku friends.
What are you most looking forward to at Haiku North America?
I am looking forward to talking with haiku friends and listening to some of the other talks and panel discussions, perhaps attending a workshop.
I am looking forward to hearing from more panelists and speakers, and hope our short blog interviews are getting others excited for this amazing event! Thanks so much to Bruce Ross for giving us a teaser about his talk! See you in Seattle!
-Katharine
Can you tell us a little about what you will be talking about at Haiku North America this year?
I will be giving a talk at HNA Seattle 2011: "Spaciousness as a Key Element in Haiku." It will discuss the Japanese concepts of "ma" (expansive possibilities that surround objects) and "mu" (emptiness), Shunryu Suzuki's concept of big vs. little mind, and Shinto animism in an attempt to uncover the possibilty that a poetics of haiku should include the issue of spaciousness.
How long have you been interested in Haiku Poetry?
I have been interested in haiku poety from the late fifties when I read what the Beats were reading and writing, including Hakuin and Kerouac's"Dharma Bums." Haiku specifically was introduced to me at this time in the Pauper Press translations of Japanese haiku and the work of Paul Reps. I was writing nature poetry then also, so the transition to haiku writing was natural.
Have you been to Haiku North America before?
I have attended every HNA meeting except the very first one.
Have you ever been to Seattle?
I have visited Seattle several times before to see the sights and visit haiku friends.
What are you most looking forward to at Haiku North America?
I am looking forward to talking with haiku friends and listening to some of the other talks and panel discussions, perhaps attending a workshop.
I am looking forward to hearing from more panelists and speakers, and hope our short blog interviews are getting others excited for this amazing event! Thanks so much to Bruce Ross for giving us a teaser about his talk! See you in Seattle!
-Katharine
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