Focusing & Haiku
Resources and Notes ~ Studies with Yaotunde Obiora
Compiled Resources ~ contributed by Yao and the rest of us
With more than 795 published poems, almost all Haiku ~ Virgilio is considered a founder of Haiku written in the American idiom.
Nick Virgilio – Haikupedia
Nick Virgilio (1928 -1989)
Haiku in English 17 Essential Points ~ Clark Strand • Becka Chester • Clifford Rames • Susan Polizzotto • Suzanne Tyrpak
Yatunde Obiora Handout #1
(text) Haiku in English 17 Essential Points by Clark Strand • Becka Chester • Clifford Rames • Susan Polizzotto • Suzanne Tyrpak
17 Essential Points
2 By longstanding tradition, most haiku contain a “season word” such as dandelion or snowflake. The season word anchors a haiku in our common experience of Nature.
3 Every good haiku contains a distinctive turn of thought. Also called a “twist” or “pivot,” that turn gives the 17 syllables MORE than 17 syllables of meaning.
4 In Japanese haiku, the turn of thought is often said to produce “haiku humor.” Haiku humor is extremely varied—it can be bittersweet, funny, philosophical, or even dark.
5 At its most basic, a haiku is “whatever you can get away with in 17 syllables.” There can be no fixed rule for producing the turn of thought in haiku.
6 Haiku exploded in popularity during the 20th century as it traveled around the globe. Haiku in each non-Japanese language has a unique identity of its own.
7 Over the last century, poets have experimented with various forms for haiku in English. However, 5-7-5 remains the form most recognized by the general reader.
8 Haiku in English most commonly fall under two broad categories: Formal Haiku and Popular Haiku. Formal Haiku observes 5-7-5 with a season word; Popular Haiku observes only 5-7-5.
9 Although distinctive, these categories are not mutually exclusive. Increasingly, we find poets using season words to produce haiku with broad popular appeal.
10 Both Formal and Popular Haiku aim to produce a distinctive turn of thought. In formal haiku, the turn of thought is inspired by the season word.
11 Poets the world over share haiku in groups that meet regularly—online or in person. When a group becomes influential, it is referred to as a “school” of haiku.
12 Our “17 School” is based on the idea that the 5-7-5 form for haiku is basic to its nature. Apart from that form, and a preference for season words, we do not set limits on haiku.
13 We believe that a haiku should function as a poem in English. Replicating Japanese haiku in style or technique is not our intended goal or concern.
14 We believe that the most essential aspect of haiku in any language is play. This is reflected in the word haiku itself, which means literally “playful verse.”
15 We see haiku in English as an invitation to play in 17 syllables. Haiku invites us to explore the unique sounds, nuances, and possibilities for poetic meaning in English.
16 We strive to produce haiku that are self-expressive. Even when we use objective images drawn from Nature, our best poems always have something to say.
17 We belong to a community of poets that includes our haiku ancestors and descendants. Writing haiku allows us to communicate with one another across time.
(PDF Golden background white letters) Haiku in English 17 Essential Points by Clark Strand • Becka Chester • Clifford Rames • Susan Polizzotto • Suzanne Tyrpak
(Large Font pdf) Haiku in English 17 Essential Points by Clark Strand • Becka Chester • Clifford Rames • Susan Polizzotto • Suzanne Tyrpak
Welcoming your Haiku and commente
Resources and Haiku from all of us
Quality Time (Katarina Halm)
Quality time ~ Healing time ~ Time to dance
poems from Katarina Halm
QUALITY-TIME
Hello, how are you?
Oh it’s lovely to see you
Sun shines in the sky
Let’s listen with care
A word, a sigh, and a smile
Bamboo folds and sways
Listen to whispers
Dance between our spoken words
Wind rustles and flows
Hark the whisper now
Speak, listen, and wait again
Leaf is broad and green
Time to say good-bye
Strong and willowy bamboo
Sway and dance my friend
Hark the whisper now
Act, slow-down, and stop again
Leaf is green and still
HEALING TIME
Goodbye, God Bless You
Sun Dips below Horizon
We shall meet again
Time to go inside
Listen to my own heartbeat
Rest and breathe Bamboo
Time to be alone
Mother Earth will keep me safe
As pain comes and goes
Sometimes I wonder
Where is the healing power?
Whispering Bamboo
A quiet prayer
Gentle wind cools my body
Blessed mystery
Once again I listen
Time to walk and meet our world
Earth, Sun, Wind, Bamboo
TIME TO DANCE
Gentle sacred dance
Lifts the pain from my eyes and
Whispers of bamboo
Oh the soft broad leaf
An old friend touches my hand
Now we wait in peace
Wait for the whispers
In each corner of my soul
Hope rustles and grows
The pain in my eyes
Asks for truth and quiet time
Bamboo’s dance unfolds
Oh the soft stillness
Where earth and sky become one
Let it be freedom
Freedom to flow with
Solitude and communion
Keep the sacred dance.
……………………………………………………
111 ATTUNING TO NATURAL PROCESS ACTION STEPS:
How does one find the natural action, the unforced next step?
(Maybe with a Little Wind from Your Fingertips!) Katarina Halm
FOLIO VOLUME 22, NUMBER 1, 2010
© Katarina Halm 2010/2020 Link https://thinkinginmovement.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Quality-time-Healing-time-Time-to-dance-poems-from-Katarina-Halm-Attuning-Folio-%C2%A92010.pdf
The Four Chambered Heart (Katarina Halm)
The Four Chambered Heart (Katarina Halm)
(Not in the classical Haiku form but an approximation)
THE FOUR-CHAMBERED HEART
Sweeping, sweeping,
Outside on a sunny day.
Sweeping the porch,
Sweeping the sidewalk,
Sweeping, sweeping
The rhythm of life.
Strong is my heart.
The trees reach to the sky,
Their leaves dancing
In the afternoon breeze.
Dancing, dancing,
The horizon is filled with dancing leaves.
Full is my heart.
Resting and breathing
I sit by the maple tree.
Breathing and blinking
My eyes awaken
To a butterfly on a flower.
Open is my heart.
Sweeping, sweeping,
The images of my dream
Become clear and bright.
Sweeping, sweeping,
Once again I walk in the light.
Clear is my heart.
Song to the Elements (Katarina Halm)
Song to the Elements (Katarina Halm)
SONG TO THE ELEMENTS
The great blue heron
Flies along the sacred hoop
Wide wide flowing wings
Earth beneath my feet
Meets the pulse of life…dancing
A gentle drummer
Fire from within me
Seeks a form, ever-changing
The dance of Shiva
My heart glows for you
Swirling flows of happiness
The water of life
Here, there, watch the wind
Wind and leaves, wind and trees, oh
Wind all around me
Old old cedar tree
Living, healthy, wonderful
Strong and fragrant wood
Hands, eyes, mind and heart
Shape the clear energy ball
Form that speaks my truth
The great blue heron
Soft dark wings — golden sky, and
Golden wings — dark sky
Old Pond ~ Jessica Tremblay
Haiku in English 17 Essential Points ~ Clark Strand • Becka Chester • Clifford Rames • Susan Polizzotto • Suzanne Tyrpak
Clark Strand quoting Richard Wright ’the way North may be narrow ... / Matsuo Basho (d. Nov. 28, 1694) / Richard Wright (d. Nov. 28, 1960)
Clark Strand quoting Richard Wright ’the way North may be narrow’
Matsuo Basho (d. Nov. 28, 1694)
Richard Wright (d. Nov. 28, 1960)
Aug 24, 2026 Yaotunde Obiora The Moment and the Felt Sense: Haiku & Focusing (Help for Helpers)
Aug 24, 2026 Yaotunde Obiora The Moment and the Felt Sense: Haiku & Focusing (Help for Helpers)
Theme: Cultivating inner awareness and creative expression by bridging body sensation, mindful observation, and poetic distillation.
Core Metaphor: The haiku is not about the feeling—it is the feeling, given form. The poem becomes a small, safe vessel for what was previously wordless. We will explore the connection between the internal process of Focusing and the external expression of Haiku.
Description: This workshop is designed as an experiential journey, weaving together the introspective practice of Eugene Gendlin’s Focusing with the art of writing Haiku. The session is structured to guide participants through the six steps of Focusing, using Haiku as a creative and concise tool for capturing and expressing one’s felt sense. Haiku is fun, communal, inviting, and about sharing !
Materials Needed: Paper and writing instrument (pen/pencil/quill)
Bio: I am an activist, social worker, and therapist with forty-seven years of postgraduate education, training, and experience. For many years I have been part of the NYC Focusing community and a member of TIFI. Much of my work has been with Lynn Preston and the community empowerment movement ( FORCE and FORGE ) to expand Focusing to wider communities. I have been on planning committees for TIFI Felt Sense Conferences and have presented in several as well. Lastly, I really just want to be happy, make a difference, love, be loved, learn, create, laugh, stay fresh and look good in my natural body.
I am with you in this…
References:
1)
Handout # 1 Please read prior to the session
2)
3)
Moderator Yaotunde Obiora Dibia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vko7ArVxrCM (59:21 min)
HAIKU AND FOCUSING: CONSCIOUS AWARENESS with Yaotunde Obiora, August 11 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iF4ehGN1ZT4
HELP FOR HELPERS ZOOM LINK
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/91630143362?pwd=OUNQaDQ0NnVCcG92dkp0TkwzUExldz09
Meeting ID: 916 3014 3362 Passcode: FOCUS
TIME LINK for PARTICIPANTS: Help for Helpers
Mondays time link until the end of October 2026 at 8:15am in New York *90 minutes (please click for your time)
______________________________
MORE ABOUT HELP FOR HELPERS: an online weekly gathering that was originally created as a response to the overwhelming stresses of pandemic life, especially for those in the helping professions. It developed into a flourishing, ever-growing wellspring of learning and connectedness.
WE ARE:
1. INTERNATIONAL, INCLUSIVE, WELCOMING
We prize the contributions of all those who attend.
2. FREE!
All the organizing and facilitating is donated.
3. COMMUNITY-ORIENTED
We are developing and expanding our project together.
4. DIVERSE
We encourage varied points of view and approaches woven together with respect, openness, and embodied listening.
5. ENRICHING
Each week, we have a reflection drawn from a wide variety of speakers and a broad spectrum of approaches (meditative, academic, personal, social/political, therapeutic) given by experienced teachers and those presenting their ideas for the first time.
6. PARTICIPATORY
‘The group focuses on and responds spontaneously to what is offered in the reflection. Focusing conversations are facilitated by the large group discussion and small breakout-room sharing.’
VIDEO CHANNELS & PLAYLIST
Help for Helper’s YouTube channel with recordings of the meetings:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRc14k8fFbFCdrbrPzjLwOg
Playlist
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIFGjfFRNXb_6Uj8UHeRq1azCjvffW-nw
Lynn Preston’s YouTube channel, where recordings continue to be published:
https://www.youtube.com/c/FocusingRelationalPsychotherapy
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