Drench

I am wet

by the rain

from that cloud

– Santoka

Water lily

Water lilies would be perfect if it wasn’t for that slit on the lily pad, but it’s that little imperfection that makes them so special and allows them to grow.

Ruby

Writing a great haiku in one draft is like finding a ruby in the street… Nobody will believe you. (Old Pond Comics).

Frogbook

Sugoi

I e-mailed a cartoon to my Japanese editor who replied “Sugoi!” which can mean, depending of the situation:

1. great
2. amazing
3. terrific
4. dreadful
5. terrible
6. punch me in the crotch!

Want to torture an artist: use a word that can mean both “Awesome” or “Awful” and let them figure out which one.  😉

You and the nightingale are in charge, my snail (Issa)

There are two Old Pond comics published in the July 2013 issue of The Bulletin: a journal of Japanese Canadian Community, history + culture. Here’s the second one, inspired by a haiku by Kobayashi Issa translated by David G. Lanoue:

while I’m gone

you and the nightingale are in charge,

my snail

Kobayashi Issa

Little snail inch by inch climb Mount Fuji! (Issa)

There are two Old Pond comics published in the July 2013 issue of The Bulletin: a journal of Japanese Canadian Community, history + culture.

Here’s the first one, inspired by a haiku by Kobayashi Issa translated by David G. Lanoue:

Little snail,

inch by inch, climb

Mount Fuji!

Kobayashi Issa

Here’s the first one.

Conference tip: bring a freebie

If you’re going to the Haiku North America conference 2013, don’t forgot to bring a promotional item (bookmark, postcard, mini-chapbook, etc.) to share with other attendees.

Check out the Haiku North America 2013 blog every Monday for more conference tips from Old Pond Comics.

Tomato

I always fear this will happen to me when I walk up stage for a haiku reading.

HNA 2013 blog

New Old Pond Comic published every Monday on the HNA 2013 blog.