Gary Hotham: Brevity and the Art of Haiku

The Eliot Society is pleased to welcome American poet Gary Hotham for our second speaking event of the 2017-2018 season.
Why read or write poetry? Because poetry lets the writer do something with language that other forms can’t do. The words and rhythms of a well-crafted poem have the power to alter our vision, and to deepen our delight and wonder at the created world.
The Haiku is a poetic form, first developed by the Japanese, whose energy comes from its brevity, the sharpness of its imagery, and its penetrating focus on a state of being or a moment in time. In his talk, Gary Hotham will consider the world of contemporary poetry, focusing on the special beauty of the English language Haiku. His talk will integrate readings of his own poetry, as well as poems by other poets Hotham loves.
About Gary Hotham
Gary Hotham has been actively working the art and craft of English language haiku for nearly 50 years. His work has appeared in various magazines, journals, chapbooks and anthologies – and three larger collections: Breath Marks:  Haiku to Read in the Dark (1999); Spilled Milk: Haiku Destinies (2010), and Stone’s Throw: Promises of Mere Words (2016).  He grew up in northern Maine but settled in Maryland in 1975 after an assignment in Japan with the Air Force.  He has since had some great postings with the Department of Defense in Germany and England, which his wife and daughter have also enjoyed.