NEW HOPE INTERNATIONAL REVIEW

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Blithe Spirit 12 Eliot Vale Blackheath London SE3 0UW UK ISSN 1353-3320 Ł5 Subscriptions: Ł20 pa [Ł22 Europe; Ł25 or US$36 RoW] visit British Haiku Society's Website latest issue appears to be Vol.18 #3 Web design by This page last updated: 13th October 2008.		Blithe Spirit Vol.15 #4
		Under the current editorship of Graham High BLITHE SPIRIT is a members only publication which exists as a forum for diverse contributions in the writing and appreciation of haiku and kindred forms of verse. The magazine is well presented with a cover design by Kate Hall based on origami. Some 68 pages long it contains articles, translations and reviews as well as examples of members' work. Featured is the work of poet Mario Petrucci and Federico C. Peralta. Haiku inclusions under the general heading of AUTUMN open this issue, falling as they do like a rush down-pour of windswept amber leaves. swirling leaves— a child counts coins beside the ice-cream van John Kinory thin sunlight the crunching of dry leaves underfoot Basem Farid leaf caught in the window half-way in to the warm John McDonald overnight the dammed stream becomes golden with leaves John Gilham and many many more similar seasonal offerings, the best of which for me comes from Ama Bolton click of the gate only the wind comes in scattering dry leaves In a Museum of Haiku Literature Award based on work appearing in issue 15/3 we find the delight of Michael Bangerter's stepping back from the elephant god I tread on someone's foot An article on collaborative haiku, featuring poet Mario Petrucci offers The shadow is a kite—the wind cannot lift it written with Jaime Wood, and A boy, a kite. A string between plucked by breeze written with Rob Pope. The second featured poet is the blind Federico Peralta whose haiku express political realities, e.g. A night of terror tracer bullets outnumber the stars in Iraq and after Bush the smoke of his effigies pollute Manilla There are half-a-dozen well constructed haibun in this issue. Notable are those by Jamie Edgecombe and the witty piece by Stanley Pelter. This is an issue filled with little gems. For anyone interested in the forms it is well worth sending for a copy from the editor, or why not just send membership sec. Stanley Pelter, Maple House, 5, School Lane, Claypole, Notts. NG23 5BQ twenty-five quid and un-ravel the mysteries of haiku, senryu, tanka, haibun etc. for yourself!
		reviewer: John Cartmel-Crossley.

		Blithe Spirit Vol.16 #3
		Blithe Spirit is the Journal of the British Haiku Society and welcomes submissions from full members of the Society. It's a serious and scholarly publication, with much admirable work included. I was particularly taken by AN ACCOUNT OF OUT MASTER BASHO'S LAST DAYS, in which the great man himself is quoted: No one but myself Goes along this road at dusk The end of autumn. It's a shame they had no space to include the poems written by Basho's disciples that presumably are included in the booklet from which this translation is taken (available for Ą1500 from Nobuyuki Yuasa, Regalia 1118, 7-32-44 Fujimicho, Tachikawashi, Tokyo 190-0013, Japan). Also good is CANALSIDE, 1784-2006, a haibun by Peter Butler which takes the form of a dramatic monologue by the building itself: another lost today by the workbench a dead scarf Although a serious publication, Blithe Spirit is not without a sense of humour. I enjoyed Maurice Tasnier's: in the bat house she remembers where she lost her new umbrella and Phillip Murrell's stuck on some railings a glove gives passers-by the two fingers Blithe Spirit is an excellent magazine which will prove invaluable to anyone seriously interested in haiku and related forms.
		reviewer: John Francis Haines.

		Blithe Spirit Vol.16 #4
		When it comes to haiku journals this 72-page edition sits contentedly in the top of the tree. Contents this time include much quality haiku and other forms of short poetry, a translation or two, the seasonal section, several interesting articles with details of some unusual web sites and links, lots of useful addresses and some book reviews wrapping it all up. In his short editorial, which is mainly to do with war haiku, Graham High quotes this 12th century haiku from Saigyô. The verse has clearly stood the test of time: Even in an age Gone astray the lyric's way Remains the true path And in the middle of the magazine there are to be found the asked-for contributions under the straightforward heading RESPONSES TO THE SUBJECT OF WAR. The following comes from the pen of Ron Woollard: call to prayer sounding above the sirens Like the 12th century example this will no doubt stand the test of time too; and sad to say it may be quoted 900 years from now. Attempting a brighter note Annie Bachini tentatively offers: picnic morning eggshells drum in the boiling pan But even during harmless picnic preparations there's no escaping the drumbeat of the times. If the day dawns when the humble haiku is less true than the blade of the sword then we're all done for.
		reviewer: Gwilym Williams.

		Blithe Spirit Vol.17 #1
		This excellent 72 page, A5 sized journal of The British Haiku Society is run by a team of professional and enthusiastic people. It is a well informed and educational journal containing many haiku, senryu, haibun, renku and tanka. Graham High the editor says, on the society's website Our editorial policy is to encourage new writing, value a diversity of approaches to haiku, and promote excellence. In this issue subscribers will find A GUIDE TO HAIKU MAGAZINES AROUND THE WORLD by Klaus-Dieter Wirth; an article on AMERICAN DEATH POEMS (jisei) by Ruth Franke and EARLY JAPANESE TANKA ANTHOLOGIES by Doreen King. Some examples of the work included: Schlaflos — Sleepless — auf dem Kissen neben mir on the cushion beside me Mondlicht moonlight Roswitha Erler translated by Klaus-Dieter Wirth snow abbey the monk following his own footsteps Malcolm Williams rain on a rose — and the history of love first a flower then a thorn and finally a tear Francis Gallagher There are many excellent poems in this issue though many appear to be by contributors, who also happen to be on the committee or involved in the process of the journal. This might seem to be at some divergence with the editorial statement. For those seriously committed to the genre this will not be a deterrent and the air of exclusivity and scholarliness will attract the desired membership. It certainly seeks to promote excellence.
		reviewer: Chrissie Everard.