Frank J. Tassone – American Haijin

Wind and water

another haikai poet

takes the stage

Welcome!

I am your host, Frank J. Tassone. If you love haiku, senryu, tanka, haibun, haiga, renga and other styles of English-language, Japanese-style poetry, you have found the website you have been looking for.

Enjoy my (and others’) current haikai on my blog. Follow links to my published work in Image Curve, Contemporary Haibun Online, Haibun Today, Cattails, Failed Haiku, The Haiku Foundation and My Haiku Pond. Or savor haiku courtesy of my twitter feed. Stay tuned for exciting announcements.

Thank you for coming!

The Journey Begins

β€œA journey of a thousand miles begins with the single step,” said Lao Tzu.

But he’s dead.

This journey ahead frightens me to my core. Twisting crags, breakneck switchbacks and a legion of thorns and brambles lay on the path. I shudder at every letter as a riot of voices shout down the one that matters most.

The choice is simple. Don’t walk. Then endure the choking frustration of a vocation denied. Walk. Then experience the joy, sorrow and glory of every comedic, tragic and transcendent step and sing it anew.

β€œDecision made. Whatever happens, happens.”

I step out!

Deep silenceβ€”

First handwriting on

A blank page

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Comments

85 responses to “Frank J. Tassone – American Haijin”

  1. 2017 In Review #Haikai #NewYear – Frank J. Tassone Avatar

    […] Frank J. Tassone, American Haijin […]

    Like

  2. thereluctantpoet Avatar

    Thanks for sharing this! I look forward to using these resources!!! Happy New Year to you and yours, My Friend!

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Tournesol Avatar

    A wonderful way to start a new journey in 2018

    Liked by 2 people

  4. wolfsrosebud Avatar

    Yes, that first step is difficult weather transition or new year. Standing still, like an eclipse, only last for moments.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. annell4 Avatar

    I enjoyed your write.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Victoria Young Avatar

    that blank page can be so intimidating!

    Liked by 2 people

  7. ladynyo Avatar

    You are holding up the pillars of haiku, Frank. And we need more of that.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Jane! I really appreciate that! πŸ˜€

      Like

  8. Shannon Blood Avatar

    “Like” and thanks for taking that step and paving the way. πŸ™‚

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Shannon! πŸ™‚

      Like

  9. ladynyo Avatar

    More and more, Frank, I see the reason for the beauty of haiku and tanka in my life. Not short bites at all, but concentrated messages….to myself and readers. Thank you, Frank, for continuing ‘the way’.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      You honor me, Jane. Thank you! πŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  10. ladynyo Avatar

    Forgot to say…..I think haiku and tanka is that biscuit we can eat on all day, ,,,,everyday. LOL~

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Vivian Zems Avatar

    A writer’s quest. Well penned. Keep on stepping out😊

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Vivian! πŸ˜€ This Haijin journeys on! πŸ˜‰

      Liked by 1 person

  12. dianadevlinblog Avatar

    Hi Frank. You left me a lovely comment on my alliterative β€˜sausage’ poem but when I tried to edit my reply, which contained a typo, I accidentally deleted your comment! Apologies for that and thank you for your comment 😊

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thanks for explaining, Diana. No problem!

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Pierre Mhanna Avatar

    That deep silence is akin to the first fall of winter snow. Beautiful poetry.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Pierre! πŸ˜€

      Like

  14. revolutionarymusings Avatar

    Beautiful poem. Thank you

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Absolutely! Perfect parallel, beautifully written.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Susan! I don’t know how I missed this, but I’m happy to finally read it! πŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  16. annell4 Avatar

    The first step is the big one. Can take your breath away.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. erbiage Avatar

    thanks frank. i am at a similar crossroads.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. othermary Avatar

    Hope you enjoy your travels.

    Liked by 2 people

  19. annell4 Avatar

    Nice write!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you! πŸ™‚

      Like

  20. Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES Avatar
    Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES

    I can almost here the pen hit the page, scratch an roll! Lao Tzu is a master!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Colleen! I appreciate that! πŸ™‚

      Like

  21. Dorianna Ric (paint-it-poetry) Avatar

    Reminds me of a quote I read once and adopted as my motto for each new journey as I road-tripped across much of the country. “Fear nthe fear and do it anyway”

    Liked by 2 people

  22. paintdigi Avatar

    Hello
    Your posts are beautiful, your blog is beautiful .. Congratulations
    (I invite you to visit my site and look at my artistic creations)
    ..welcome

    Liked by 2 people

      1. paintdigi Avatar

        welcome friend

        Liked by 1 person

  23. KB Avatar

    The blank page holds so much promise

    Liked by 2 people

  24. Silver Avatar
    Silver

    This is excellent!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you! πŸ˜€

      Like

  25. mother wintermoon Avatar

    Love the message and the imagery of the blank page.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you! πŸ™‚

      Like

  26. #Haikai Challenge #70 (1/26/19): Rachel Sutcliffe tribute #haiku #senryu #haibun #tanka #haiga #renga – Frank J. Tassone Avatar

    […] Many of you may be familiar with her exsquisite haiku and senryu. Many of you know that I have often reblogged her work: […]

    Like

  27. Nafeesah Utteenun Avatar

    Amazingly written ☺️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you! πŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Nathan Avatar
    Nathan

    Love love love

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you! πŸ˜€

      Like

  29. D. Wallace Peach Avatar

    I imagine that the journey began just fine, Frank, and after two years, you’re comfortably at home sharing your poetry. This is a wonderful place to be creative. Heading to your blog to read. πŸ™‚

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Diana! πŸ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES Avatar
    Colleen@ LOOSELEAFNOTES

    Less is best! Zen.

    Liked by 2 people

  31. Indira Avatar

    The right choice and inspiring too. Excellent.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you! πŸ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Indira Avatar

    So true. It takes so much time to break the silence. On the canvas or drawing sheet too.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Indeed, it does! Thanks, Indira! πŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Rhen Laird Avatar
    Rhen Laird

    Hello Frank–I’m just curious if you’re familiar with Nat’l Haiku Writing Month (February), as I was not, until yesterday. πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      I am. I first participated in the month proper on twitter three years ago, and I write my Daily #Haiku posts based on prompts from the #NaHaiWriMo Facebook page, which publish daily prompts year-round.

      Like

      1. Rhen Laird Avatar
        Rhen Laird

        Good to know!

        Liked by 1 person

  34. Dina Avatar

    Nice to meet you, Frank. Thank you for sharing your lovely Haikus with us.
    Warm greetings from stormy coast of North Norfolk,
    Dina

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you, Dina. It’s a pleasure to meet you, too! Enjoy the haikai!

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Lucy Avatar

    Beautifully penned. ❀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you! πŸ™‚

      Liked by 1 person

  36. seize Avatar

    e-business

    Like

  37. Marsha Avatar

    Hi Frank, I got your name from Jules, one of your participants. I am doing a series on the hosts of writing challenges. I love challenges and I’m just getting into the writing challenges. If you might be interested in doing an interview on my blog, shoot me an email at marshaalwayswrite@tchistorygal.net. I’d love to feature your blog. πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar

      Thank you. I would be honored. Your email address link didn’t go through. Could you email me details using my contact form? Thanks! πŸ˜€

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Marsha Avatar

        Hi Frank, I must have copied it down wrong. I’m sorry. Yes, I’ll contact you through your contact form. I’ll send you a link to the article that explains what I am doing as well.

        Liked by 1 person

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Frank J. Tassone-American Haijin by Frank J. Tassone is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0