Seeds from a Birch Tree: Writing Haiku and the Spiritual Journey: 25th Anniversary Edition: Revised & Expanded

by Clark Strand

“A brilliant and engaging book on haiku, and on the state of the body and mind required in the million to one shot against producing a good one” —Jim Harrison First published in 1997, Seeds From a Birch Tree introduced readers to the only form of poetry in all of world literature that makes nature into a spiritual path. Its message was Haiku teaches us to return to nature by following the seasons—seventeen syllables at a time. With its mix of poetry and memoir, fallen leaves and birdsong, Seeds From a Birch Tree awakens us to what Bashō called “the life of each thing.” Simple instructions guide us to the possibilities for creativity and joy hidden in plain sight in the natural world around us, giving us hope and resilience in the face of life’s challenges. This Revised & Expanded 25 th Anniversary Edition includes the complete text of the original classic, plus dozens of new haiku and an Afterword by the author discussing haiku for the 21 st century.

Genres: Poetry

158 pages, Paperback

Published February 7, 2023

Reviews

[Isak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm mixed on this one. I don't share all the author's values and our spiritual practices are very different. The author makes far too close an identification of haiku with Zen, a fact he cops to in his afterword to the 25th anniversary edition. I also do not agree with his insistence on the 5-7-5 syllable form for haiku in English. I think the differences between Japanese and English in their sound units and stresses are just too great for this to be the case. At the same time, even if I believe he is mistaking matter for form, I really appreciate his argument, which comes from a strong sense of how craftsmanship works. His conviction is well defended by the inclusion of so many wonderful 5-7-5 examples of haiku in these pages, and he's got me revisiting syllable-counting in my own writing. And finally, there's loads of fantastic advice, set out in short, enjoyable chapters, for haiku poets just starting out, teachers of haiku, and poets who have been writing haiku for years and years. I would love to take a class with Carl Strand.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this.

[Josh Guilar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Haiku teaches us to return to nature by following the seasons--17 syllables at a time."