Woodnotes — #1

Woodnotes began in the spring of 1989 as the first periodic publication of the newly formed Haiku Poets of Northern California, a group that has met in the San Francisco area since then, soon becoming one of the most prominent and influential regional groups in the history of North American haiku. The journal’s name, proposed by vincent tripi, was inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem, “Wood Notes.” The first issue of Woodnotes was more of a newsletter than a poetry journal, sporting 12 pages of news, announcements, and other information, one haibun, six memorial or dedication poems, and two book reviews. This issue did not include any submitted poems, but that would start (slowly) with issue #2. vincent tripi and Paul O. Williams served as editors, and Jane Reichhold typed the issue, in the early days of desktop publishing. On the cover, Mary Fields provided calligraphy of the word “Woodnotes” with a swash of ink in sumi-e style. This graphic representation of the title would remain as the cover logo through issue #10. The issue began with a report by Garry Gay on the history of haiku gatherings in the San Francisco area that led to the formation of the Haiku Poets of Northern California, followed by eight lines of poetry from Emerson’s “Wood Notes,” and a list of thirty poets who were identified as the organization’s charter members. Officers were listed as Garry Gay, president; Carolyn Talmadge, vice president; Paul O. Williams, secretary; vincent tripi, treasurer; and vincent tripi and Paul O. Williams, newsletter coeditors. All subsequent issues would list current HPNC officers. The front cover was the same thickness of paper as the interior text, but issue #2 would feature thicker cover stock. While relatively humble, this 12-page issue would be a harbinger of a great deal to come. As Garry Gay said in concluding his opening message, “Here’s to our future.” You can view the entire first issue on the HPNC website.

Staff

• Editors: vincent tripi and Paul O. Williams

• Logo calligraphy: Mary Fields

• Typesetting: Jane Reichhold

• Illustrations: Linda C. Kneeland

5.5 by 8.5 inches (all 31 issues were this size)

Pages 12 (including paper cover)

Haiku/Senryu 5

Haibun 1

Translations 1

Longer Poems 1 (excerpt from Ralph Waldo Emerson)