The Patchwork Quilt

The Patchwork Quilt by Francine Porad. Vandina Press, 1993, 40 pages, paperback, 5½ by 8½ inches. $6.00 postpaid from the author at P.O. Box 1551, Mercer Island, Washington, 98040 [address no longer correct]. A new collection by Haiku Society of America president, Francine Porad. This nicely printed volume offers 32 haiku and senryu, six tanka, and four renku (with Marlene Mountain, Minna Lerman, Jean Dubois, and Jim Kacian). Small monoprint reproductions of Francine’s artwork introduce each section of this engaging book. Especially noteworthy is the introduction, which offers cogent definitions of haiku, senryu, tanka, and renku. A favorite sample poem:

from the cut apple

an earwig unfolding

its pincers