Dorna Hainds

1. How did you get started with haiku?

I came seriously to haiku in part through a great friend who I consider to be my godmother. I wrote freely to help explore my creative abilities after my 2004 divorce. I am continuously inspired to write and explore haiku because of past haiku that inspires the current creative me.

2. Tell us more about yourself.

I live in Michigan, in a small town known as Lapeer. It’s about 30 minutes from Flint, Michigan. My highest level of education would be my two years at Baker College. My original life intent was to be a small business manager or owner. Sadly or realistically, I am a factory worker, always looking for time and energy to write—anything.

3. What does NaHaiWriMo mean to you?

NaHaiWriMo enables me to write in a timely and focused manner. My writings, like my thoughts, are as chaotic as a storm. With years of education and practice, practice, and practice, I hope to better myself as a writer.

4. What one piece of advice would you offer to those who are new to writing haiku?

I would suggest to read. Read then write. It’s true that starting with a rough draft is just the start of every piece of writing.

5. Please share three of your favorite or best haiku.

I honestly cannot remember my first haiku, but I am very proud of my first poetic publication on Daily Haiku on December 12, 2021:

moon-kissed . . .

an orphan’s dream

of adoption

And here’s a tanka, published in Stardust Haiku #36, in 2019:

tonight

i count the stars

maple leaves falling

one by one

without a sound

The following haiku won an honorable mention from the Bulgarian Haiku Union, published on June 29, 2023:

day moon

last cherry blossom

on a tree branch