Haiku Talk

Haiku Talk is a channel where I will break down contemporary English language haiku and senryu in a video, talking about what makes them work and why they resonate. My name is Ben Gaa, and I'm an award winning, internationally published haiku poet. I love this form and really want to spread the word about what makes it so engaging and why it deserves to be taken seriously. Haiku in English has moved well beyond a 5/7/5 template that is taught in school or used for jokes on the internet. At its core it's a poem that is short, yes, but it also captures a moment that unfolds in the present tense, using juxtapositions along with simple, succinct, and suggestive language to pull the reader into the moment and complete the poem. Through this channel you will see the possibilities haiku and senryu have to offer and you will be introduced to a number of wonderful poets, journals, and anthologies along the way.