The poetry of Japan, this was an art form that was written in waka or tanka forms. Haiku would come later. The skill of writing was practiced by the nobility class. Poems that described everyday life were the subject. One subject was love. Lovers would use the written form of poetry to communicate to each other. The stories and poems from romances stored in these diaries were known as pillow books. A ladies' pillow book was exactly that. A small book contained a few dozen pages or more of poems or letters written by the lover. Usually the correspondences were sent covertly by themselves or a trusted courier. Kept secretly beneath pillows or mattresses in which the courtly women would read late at night, in the privacy of their bedroom. Romantic poetry and love letters, or notes all contain words of undying love, spoken from one heart and soul to another. Since man and woman began to communicate, one heart and soul has been reaching out to touch another heart and soul with written or spoken words. Eternal love could only be obtained by devoting the heart, mind and soul in harmony. In this book is a collection of haiku in free style and traditional haiku with several of free verse poems. Most of the poems have original art work.
About the Author: I began writing poetry, freshman year in an English Literature class at Northwest Vista College. In my second year, in an Ethics class, I wrote a journal each day. An art project, a Japanese Sumi-E painting with a haiku poem, from a drawing class was accidently presented. The instructor was impressed and asked me continue my daily journal assignment in the haiku poetry form. I am fascinated by the Haiku poetry form and the Japanese Sumi-e painting style. I sustained my self study by researching several dozen books over six years. The Soul of a Plum Blossom book has been on my "Bucket List" of goals to accomplish. I still live in San Antonio the assistance of a staff of cats, Donatella, Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Ralph. I'm finishing a Bachelor's in Fine Arts at the University of San Antonio. When I'm not drawing, painting or creating ceramic art work, I continue to practice the art of helping clients maintain balance of mind and body as a massage therapist in San Antonio, Texas.