Sandi Ivey

1. How did you get started with haiku?

I am fairly new to haiku and began writing them regularly in 2022. I am on a streak of one a day since November 2022. I was influenced by Michael Dylan Welch, the founder of NaHaiWriMo. I took an interest when I saw how much I enjoyed hearing and reading haiku. As time went along, I began to see haiku in common daily life. I have done haiku to accompany my photography and watercolors.

2. Tell us more about yourself.

I live in the Pacific Northwest, in Duvall, Washington. My profession is hairstylist.  I love my work and the creativity that I can express daily. I do spoken-word and poetry open mics, facilitate a creative writing workshop and cohost an art salon. I am also a member of a performing improvisation comedy group called the Duvall Improv Social Club. Haiku practice has helped me greatly in performing, by developing better focus and attention to my environment.

3. What does NaHaiWriMo mean to you?

NaHaiWriMo is exactly what I needed to keep to a daily discipline and grow in this craft. I enjoy reading everyone’s poems and feel fortunate to be part of this community.

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

A piece of advice I have for writers new to haiku is to create a habit of writing daily. I also recommend writing about the environment directly around you. It is easier to write about the places and people we know to start.

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

These are my three favorite poems I've written:

sunrise smears pink glow

low fog whispers gratitude

full heart, is enough

valley fields are freezing

farm crop whispers . . . next year

while we harvest words

warm loose hazy dance

ancient beats our bones still know

heart weeps, rhythm speaks

One more . . .

no show is free

I pay each time

with vulnerability