Breath Of Life For All : Haiku Poetry In Defense of Nature

"Haiku is a way of addressing the reality of [the ecological decline of the Earth] through the mind by immediate insight. Haiku is cryptic. Its brevity has something of a shock impact of consciousness. It evokes a response before a person can engage in any logical process of apprehension. It provides inspiration before resistance can be activated. Haiku is based on unmediated experience, that is, perception that takes place before the reasoning process begins. This can be considered as instinctive understanding . this immediate awareness we observe in artists, also in parental perception in the needs of children."-Thomas Berry, from the Introduction to Tersely Yours: Haiku Poetry in Defense of Nature for the Coming Spiritual-Ecological Age "A war is being fought, a war between those who favor polluting industries . and citizens-courageous individuals who are trying to make the state cleaner and safer for their families and future generations. Vic Hummert is one of the heroes who gives others faith that it will be better, some day."-Adam Chandler, from the Introduction "Vic Hummert is a man of humor, compassion, and vision, with the gift of clarity. He honors all of us with his poetry, which is not only a pleasure to read, but is the heartfelt truth, uncluttered by the need to impress or be conciliatory."-Linda S. Calvert, Director, Mayor's Office of Environmental Affairs, New Orleans, from the Preface