Write love haiku—really? Workshop on Valentines Day, Palmerston North, New Zealand
An unlikely but gorgeous little writing workshop in the City Library, Palmerston North, New Zealand, on 14 February 2019
Haiku love poems? Excuse me?
If you are a haiku scholar you will realise just what an odd concept this is. But yes, it is possible to write a beautiful love poem in three lines, true to the spirit of haiku. I’ll be teaching a 2-hour workshop on Valentine’s Day in the Palmerston North Public Library, New Zealand. What a great venue! This is part of their Love Your Library Week. (I do love my library so I couldn’t say no.)
No, we won’t count syllables — you can already do that. Instead we’ll adapt four ancient haiku principles: brevity (and the short-long-short form), a snapshot, a switch (haiku’s secret trick), and naturalness.
You will write a bunch of love-haiku for your beloved or for a friend, cat, grandchild or favourite celebrity—your call! Of course you’ll have fun and learn heaps in this non-threatening workshop.
I’m Rachel McAlpine, a poet for the last 70-odd years, improved by a mid-life sojourn in Kyoto.
Who should come to the love-haiku workshop?
- you, even if you have never written a poem in your life
- you, if you struggle to express your feelings
- poets, business writers, novelists and other writers
- your friends who live in the Manawatu.
Bookings essential
Write haiku love poems: a workshop
Palmerston North City Library
Central — Events Central, Thursday 14 February 5.30–7.30PM
Bookings essential: genny.vella@pncc.govt.nz
Also: Joy of Blogging (Love Your Library Week in Palmerston North)
On Friday I’m speaking about why writers and older people love their personal blogs. Fascinating material here—I’m looking forward to this event. In fact I’m busting to talk about the phenomenon of personal blogs, which I’ve been researching for quite some time.
- Palmerston North City Library
- 10.30AM–12PM
- Central — Level 1 Non-Fiction
Who should come to my talk on Joy of Blogging
- writers of any age and older people
- you, if you know an older person who feels isolated or lonely
- you, if you are curious about the phenomenon of blogging.
Three things benefit from severe pruning: haiku, love poems, and blogs
Please comment here if you have questions or requests! Thanks for reading.
shared it on my f/b page – in case someone fancies it – I have a few pals in that region….
Thank you so much!
A little bit too far to travel 🙂 Hope it goes well!
A mere five or six hour flight! Thanks Lorraine.
I’m there in spirit, though not in person. I am spending February blogging about love. I hope you share some of the fruits of your workshop.
I’m looking forward to your posts. Ok, I will ask my group if I can share some of their haiku.
Thanks.
Wish I could join the fun.
So do I!
I am presently too far away to attend your workshops, Rachel. I am sure both workshops would be valuable on many levels. I would love to read any gems in future posts.
I guess few if any of my readers live in Palmerston North! I will do scans and ask permissions.