HORIZON by Santosh Kumar

The haiku anthology HORIZON includes some of the most inspired, artless and spontaneous haiku by the contemporary poets from different countries across the world. The freshness and light of these haiku will please and charm all lovers of poetry. Whatever we may say about the mandatory application of 5-7-5 structure, the fact cannot be denied that the beauty of a good haiku depends on its concrete clarity, lucidity and spontaneity. While writing haiku, it is quite prudent to follow the advice of Ezra Pound: “Go in fear of abstractions.”

It is quite apparent after reading these haiku included in HORIZON that the poets have reached new heights in their development as haiku artists. It is good to remember that it is not likely for the modern haiku poets across the globe to be confined to the grand total of 17 syllables, but the use of juxtaposition of images ‘continues to be honored in both traditional and modern haiku’. This enables the poets to breathe life into haiku. The dissimilar images are interwoven by the poet to create a harmonious whole. The most striking quality of the haiku published in this latest book… is that the poets contained a universe of thought and feeling within themselves. This enables these poets to unfold their true feelings and exhibit them vividly to other eyes.

I shall only add to it that every great haiku is written in words full of the supreme gift of simplicity and spontaneity. The haiku included in HORIZON are devoid of any artificial or labored vocabulary, and imbued with clarity of thought, poetic intensity and wealth of imagination, which reveals a deep inspiration. I trust that these haiku will appeal to all readers’ heart and imagination.