From the Editors
To edit a journal like Frogpond (for that matter, to read or submit to Frogpond) is to be keenly aware of conversation. There is the conversation, of course, between one poem and another, or between haibun prose and capping haiku, or between linked thoughts and experiences in a rengay or renku. There is also the conversation between poets about the art and its purposes in our lives and in human culture. Witness the talk above about the small poem we all know and love. There’s a certain logic to the flow of these thoughts, though they’ve been plucked at random from the many words spoken at a single conference. (The quotes all come from Tazuo Yamaguchi and Randy Brooks, eds., Haiku, The Art of the Short Poem [a film by Tazuo Yamaguchi], Film Haiku Anthology, Decatur, IL: Brooks Books, 2008.) Yet there are gaps, too, between one utterance and another—and into this gap eavesdroppers and other readers may slip in their own questions, answers, and concerns. In this issue we are pleased to present additional conversations— essays, reviews, and two interviews, which we hope provoke lively curiosity, attentive listening, and expressive response. Indeed, should you feel so inspired, we invite you to join in the haiku conversation with re-readings for future issues of Frogpond.
For this, our ninth issue of the journal, we’ve begun the work of a new year. Countless hours are spent collecting, editing, correcting, condensing, and organizing material, and we couldn’t do it without all hands on deck paddling in the same direction. There aren’t enough words to express our appreciation to all of our contributors, especially those who were open to suggestions for improvement; to our proofreaders, Charlie Trumbull and Bill Pauly, for their careful attention to detail in finding what we miss; to Noah Banwarth for his unwavering patience and help with the InDesign program; and to those of you who provide feedback and support after the issue is in your hands. Thank you!
A new year has also brought changes to the executive committee and regional coordinators of the HSA (see officers’ list on p. 146). We are deeply indebted to Paul Miller, who served as treasurer from 2004 through 2014. We miss his presence on the board, as well as that of Sari Grandstaff, who served as second vice president for two years. We welcome Bill Deegan and Charlotte Digregorio, who have stepped up to fill these positions, and we extend our gratitude to the regional coordinators, past and present, as well as the entire executive committee for their dedication and support.
For eight of our nine issues, frog designs by various artists bring a touch of whimsy to the pages. We were delighted to select a seal engraving on plexiglass design by Charles Baker for the winter issue and hope that you like it as much as we do.
And finally, we’ve come to the first thing you see when you take Frogpond from your mailbox: the cover. “Charming,” “Elegant,” “Inspiring,” “Exquisite,” “Delightful”—these comments reflect some of those received in response to each season’s design by Chris Patchel. The covers of a book serve as an introduction to and a frame for the material presented within. For this issue, Chris started with something quite ordinary—a handful of yarn—and from it, created something quite extraordinary. May all of us be inspired to do the same with our words.
