Charlotte Digregorio of Winnetka, author of Haiku and Senryu: A Simple Guide for All, knows the simplicity, yet elegance, of Japanese-style poetry. She will give a workshop on this short poetic form, from 10 t0 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 13 at the Women's Exchange, 630 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka.
Haiku originated in Japan in the 1600s, and Digregorio says, "They capture the moments of our lives and often evoke our deepest emotions that we may have difficulty sharing with even those close to us."
Haiku can be written about anything, but often include nature scenes. They are becoming a worldwide fad, Digregorio says, as the poems are written in about 56 languages.
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"Sometimes haiku are written about homelessness, loneliness, aging, illness, and death," Digregorio says. "They are therapeutic in our complex and chaotic world."
Digregorio loves to teach young and old about the beauty and joy of writing haiku. "Written in simple language with literary techniques, they express so much in so few words," she explains.
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The author's workshop will introduce attendees to the healing and insightful nature of haiku. Usually written in one to four lines, haiku are relevant today because they allow people to capture life's sad and happy moments in affirming and rewarding ways.
"Whatever one's personal, educational, or professional background, they can be creative and write and publish haiku," Digregorio says.
The workshop will include discussion of haiku's content and style; a brief history of it; sample poems to review/analyze; publishing tips; and writing of one's own haiku.
The author, who has won 46 international poetry awards for various forms, was recently nominated for
a Pushcart Prize. She served the Haiku Society of America in executive positions for many years. Her poetry has been translated into eight languages, and she hosted her own radio program, "Poetry Beat," on public broadcasting.
Further, Digregorio's poetry is regularly exhibited at botanic gardens, art galleries, apparel stores, wine shops, restaurants, banks, and on public transit, among other venues.
Author of five other award-winning books, she speaks at national writer's conference, is a writer-in-residence at colleges, and judges writing competitions.
For more information, contact the Women's Exchange, 847-441-3406.
