Haiku 俳句 in Lockdown

Haiku is a type of short form poetry originally from Japan. Traditional Japanese haiku consist of three phrases containing a total of 17 syllables in a 5, 7, 5 pattern and a kigo 季語 (seasonal) reference. Our Zoom kids were inspired to write their own haiku this week, with a bit of help from Ricky Baker (Hunt for the Wilderpeople). …

Enough heart

The only calibration that counts is how much heart people invest, how much they ignore their fears of being hurt or caught out or humiliated. And the only thing people regret is that they didn’t live boldly enough, that they didn’t invest enough heart, didn’t love enough. Nothing else really counts at all. Ted Hughes, The Letters of Ted Hughes

Must I Write?

Go into yourself. Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depths of your heart; confess to yourself whether you would have to die if you were forbidden to write.  This most of all: ask yourself in the most silent hour of your night: must I write? Dig into …