A Leap Year of Haiku
by Michael R. Lane

The haiku emerged in Japanese literature during the 17th century. A poetic arrangement consisting of 17 syllables composed of three corresponding lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. The original art form focused on the natural world. A number of the haiku in this collection stray from that tradition. Addressing a wide variety of subjects while maintaining at their core a desired emotional response. While I endeavored to write a haiku a day for 366 consecutive days my efforts were in vain. A haiku, like every artistic creation, will come in its time as did each in this collection. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy A Leap Year of Haiku.