14 Comments
User's avatar
Terry J Walker's avatar

Thanks, that was cool. Finding ways to resist the bullshit happening these days in a creative and non-destructive manner is helpful. Thanks. I really like your collages!

Expand full comment
Jason McBride's avatar

Thanks, Terry! We artists all have to stick together during these times

Expand full comment
Terry J Walker's avatar

I just started my substack called 52 weeks of art, inspiration & wellbeing. Check it out, yet another way to stay centered and present despite the crazy.

Expand full comment
Stanley Wotring's avatar

This such a good essay on the power and possibilities of poetry.

Expand full comment
Jason McBride's avatar

Thanks, Stanley!

Expand full comment
Neil Barker's avatar

I really like this point Jason: "haiku is the poetry of observation. It is rooted in a rigorous discipline and spiritual practice that frees your mind from anxiety."

Expand full comment
Jason McBride's avatar

Thanks, Neil! I sometimes feel like all of us, poets and readers, take poetry too seriously for all the wrong reasons while failing to take it seriously enough as a true spiritual practice

Expand full comment
Liz Gauffreau's avatar

Thank you for this essay, Jason. Please keep banging this drum:

"Remember, the enemies of peace and democracy need you to be dispirited to fully execute a takeover of society."

I need to hear it.

Expand full comment
Jason McBride's avatar

Thanks, Liz! I will keep banging the drum with all I have because I don't know that I could look my children in the eyes otherwise.

Expand full comment
Tom W.'s avatar

Really enjoyed reading this. Part of the beauty of Haiku is that they are just moments, mindful moments. An antidote to the relentless cortisol-spiking notifications indeed!

Expand full comment
Jo Paoletti's avatar

You know I agree! And now I know why.

Expand full comment
Sheila's avatar

“doomscrolling through breaking news alerts on our phones is not keeping us informed. It is making us sick and limiting our effectiveness as leaders in our communities.” I couldn’t agree more and what a wonderful piece on how to counteract this with haiku and observation.

Expand full comment
Jason McBride's avatar

Thanks, Sheila!

Expand full comment
Sheila's avatar

Been thinking lots about present tense haiku and just this explanation of them generally. That you for lots of food for thought! ☺️

Expand full comment