Customer Reviews:

• "Thresholds to Haiku is an entertaining collection of Emily Romano's articles about haiku composition which doubles as a reference book of ready-made applications for better understanding and writing haiku. Romano's unique haiku observations teach us how to employ new ways to write, evaluate and revise haiku, in order to turn yesterday's rejections into tomorrow's treasures. Just when you find yourself deep in the trenches of serious enlightenment, her sense of humor unexpectedly pops up and you find yourself laughing out loud at her witty commentary, making learning a joy. I'm sure I will personally find new favorite articles every time I reread this chapbook, as it contains so many helpful aspects which are delightfully both insightful and inspirational. This new chapbook is a permanent 'working, hands-on' addition to my family's bookshelf." - Jan Turner (VA)

• "Step through the torii onto the haiku path and enter the haiku way: Thresholds to Haiku is a journey you will want to take. I expected a chapbook of essays about the writing and interpretation of haiku and discovered this and so much more. These essays are studded with gems of enlightenment that will remain with me, enhancing my awareness of the oneness and suchness of things. I ponder the ouzel in "Language of The Spirit"...how when it "entered the water, it left a bit of itself behind. Thus it not only takes from the stream (life) but gives to it as well..." This is just what happened as I read this wonderful chapbook; immersed in these essays I took much, but felt somehow I had also left a bit of myself (the reader) behind. I highly recommend these thoughtful essays." - Margaret Smith

• "Ms. Romano opens the door to the knowledge and wisdom of haiku through her essays on haiku in terms that any layman can understand. When she states, I would have to say Haiku has no hidden meaning, for it does not put forth ideas; rather, it contains images with glimmerings of intuition, it is she who is able to grasp the depth of haiku and how much it has to offer. As Romano speaks about the brevity of haiku, Brevity? What’s so great about that?" you may ask. But upon reflection you’ll come to the realization that, as with much else prevalent in today’s society, compression is power!" you begin to get the true sense of the impact of haiku’s gift.

When she speaks of haiku as the "Japanese Jewel," Like a religion, a creed, a philosophy, haiku wraps itself around the heart, I found her words so inspiring.

Her book will guide you with a gentle hand into the many aspects of the haiku form and you will be delighted with your own self discovery along the way.

When we are truly attuned to the oneness of all things, haiku flower in abundance. This lovely line of Ms. Romano’s seemed to take shape as a haiku as I read it. Her many examples of haiku in her book not only teach but inspire one to begin writing haiku. A few of my favorite examples in her book that she uses to express "Shapes As Images In Haiku" were:

        a duck alights
        into its water-ring
        plum petals fallen

and

        bridging our knees
        the checkerboard
        grandpa made

also

        dim dimensions of
        a white peony at dusk –
        her invalid face

Under the heading “Heightened Awareness Through Haiku” Ms. Romano is able to express her point of view perfectly when she says Heightened awareness whets the appetite for living, where the spirit of haiku pervades the being. Again I felt her words forming a haiku in my mind.

        heightened awareness
        spirit of haiku
        pervades the being

Ms. Romano gives an excellent example of how even a beginner can create a truly inspirational piece as she quotes this haiku from J.E. Turner.

        aging father
        gouty limp
        dancing mind

Her knowledge since first beginning to write haiku in 1969 shines as an example of what it means to truly understand and appreciate haiku. Rather beginner or seasoned haiku writer, I believe that this little gem of a book will offer knowledge of the art of haiku while inspiring and enlightening the spirit. I learned a lot about haiku from this book and I highly recommend it to everyone." - Connie Marcum Wong - Author of Island Creations