.April 17 is the day the whole world honors haiku. Registered by Sari Grandstaff in 2007 and initiated as a project of The Haiku Foundation in 2012.

International Haiku Poetry Day occurs in the heart of the United States’ celebration of National Poetry Month. The Haiku Foundation encourages public events, including readings, exhibitions and competitions.

Texoma Haiku Society started this January by the founders of the Fort Worth Haiku Society; Cliff and Brenda Roberts, who grew up in Sherman/Denison. The Roberts moved to Fort Worth 15 years ago and now return eager to share their knowledge of the Japanese poetry form with this area.

(Left to right)

1) Cliff and Roberts building the Haiku Wall;

2)Bonsai Verse Wall contained haiku by beginners, experienced, published haijin from around the world.

3) Continuing haiku wall 4) Cliff and Brenda Roberts at the center of the wall 5)Frances Neidhardt of Texoma Poetry Society and two other of the attendees

6)Finished Wall contained upwards of 80 haiku and haiga cards

#7) The miniature train circles from the front of the mall around the food court and back about every 30 minutes (or less) #8) Attendees reading from collections during Round Robin provided by THS (published by Red Moon Press)# 9) Julie Fruen and friend and James E. Beene attended and participated in setting up of haiku wall and joined in the Round Robin meeting.

Samples of Haiku written during the Kukai (workshop) portion of the meeting. * used with permission