Haiku is a traditional form of poetry from Japan.  The concise haiku poems in English consist of three lines of five, seven and five syllables; usually containing a seasonal reference.  Many modern versions take liberties with the traditional form.
          Volumes of these little poems span an amazing range of topics and emotions.  Poets often gather and commemorate the occasion by composing haiku.
          Cherry Blossoming (Sakura) is often a subject of or seasonal (Spring) reference within haiku poems.
          In celebration of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Newark’s Branch Brook Park, these verses by Mark Philip Stone are distributed with the hope of encouraging the readers to wax poetic and compose some haiku for themselves.
          Use the back pages of this little book to write your own haiku.