All Eyes

First published in Woodnotes #25, Summer 1995, page 43.

All Eyes by Francine Porad. Vandina Press, 1995, 26 pages, paperback, 5½ by 8½ inches. $7.25 postpaid in the United States and Canada, $8.50 elsewhere, from the author at Vandina Press, 6944 SE 33rd, Mercer Island, Washington 98040-3324 [address no longer correct]. A new book from Francine Porad, and this time, something quite different in appearance. Production values are much more deluxe in comparison with Francine’s previous books. This new book is perfect-bound, includes an individually hand-painted cover, uniquely folded pages, and spring-yellow end-sheets. This is a brief book (43 haiku and five tanka, at one to four per page), but pleasurable for not trying to pack in too much. Two samples, including the book’s title poem:

 

       children run

   among the trees

         butterflies

 

turning of the leaves

       coneflowers

           all eyes