Time for more short-form poetry

By Barry Vitcov

We are reaching the end of spring and nearing the summer solstice, so it’s a good time for haiku! Well, in my humble opinion, it’s always a good time for haiku, senryu, tanka and other short-form poetry. This week we feature two poets writing short and memorable poems. Jean Semrau offers several haiku and senryu. Lynn Hill has penned a short poem, not a traditional Japanese poem, but certainly inspired by the form.

Poetry is alive in Southern Oregon!

Here are some upcoming events for your consideration:

June 17, 2025
Poetry Readings by Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterson
Medford Public Library at 1 p.m.
Ashland Public Library at 5:30 p.m.

Oregon Poet Laureate Ellen Waterston will read selected poems. There will be time at the end of the program for a brief Q&A. Ellen Waterston began her term as the eleventh Oregon Poet Laureate in August 2024. The Oregon Poet Laureate fosters the art of poetry, encourages literacy and learning, addresses central issues relating to humanities and heritage, and reflects on public life in Oregon.

Haiku and Senryu

By Jean Semrau

The summer moon with solemn grace
moves through the leaves
of that old willow

Twenty white butterflies
float happily, unlimited
by green stems

Early this morning
five deer in my yard, gladly
pruning my roses

Rocking slowly
I hold Eddie while he sleeps.
For what else was I born?

I talk to my dog
in French, Spanish, German, Dutch –
to date, no answer

He wants to outlaw diversity?
I’m glad Nature
has other plans

Ashland resident Jean Semrau, retired school counselor and interfaith hospice chaplain, says
that the discipline of writing haiku requires her to slow down and notice miracles she
might otherwise miss. She recently Kindle-published a memoir, Kerry Jean: An Adoption
Story.

Miles of Zen

By Lynn Hill

I am typing you
this poem
to allow my Self
to see
these fingers move
in your direction

Lynn Hill lives with his wife, Lin, on a small farm/animal sanctuary just outside Talent. He survived a devout, Christian upbringing in a large family, where he learned the precise definition of hypocrisy. Hitting the road after returning from military service, he did everything from gandy dancing to hard rock mining, from fire lookout to teaching yoga/meditation. His search for meaning took him to a decades-long Zen reclusive mountain top and finally, to his life’s work as a wound specialist registered nurse. He retired but remains in awe of the healing process. Prior to Covid-19, he and his wife ran the only plant-based B&B between the San Francisco Bay Area and Cottage Grove. He returned to writing a little over a year ago.

Poetry Submissions Welcomed!

You are invited to submit original work to the Poetry Corner. There is only one restriction: Poems ought to show a connection to Ashland and/or Southern Oregon. Your interpretation of that connection is fairly loose and mine is probably even looser! Be sure to include the title of your poem, your name as you would like it to appear, the city or town in which you reside, and, if you wish, your preferred pronouns. Finally, please submit a bio statement of less than 150 words written in the third-person.

To submit poems, send to Barry Vitcov at haikubjv@gmail.com.