Michael Dylan Welch is poet laureate of Redmond, Washington, and curator for two poetry reading series in Redmond. His latest poetry book is True Colour. He is a longtime officer of the Haiku Society of America, and proprietor of National Haiku Writing Month (www.nahaiwrimo.com). His personal website is www.graceguts.com, devoted mostly to poetry.
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22 thoughts on “”
steamy shower,
chilling thoughts
wave through my mind
You’re probably right, Robbie, and the publication credits could possibly be omitted. But listing publication credits respects the blessings bestowed on the poem by previous publishers — and it’s legally required if a poem is republished from certain journals. I also like seeing publication credits, as it alerts me to possible new markets. Either way, I hope you can still enjoy the poem.
You’re right too, Michael. I fully understand the importance, both legal and moral, of acknowledging previous publication. I also appreciate being guided to new markets. I think I was frustrated in this instance by how my attention was first drawn to how well-travelled and respected your haiku has been, and I really had to work backward to clear my mind and experience the moment free of baggage.
I routinely don’t read bios, but when I do, I want them to be meaty. The cricism of Michael Dylan Welch’s bio seems like sour grapes. I think his detractors ought to get a … bio.
michael, a list of publication credits is admirable. i trust my words do not detract from, nor lessen the honor bestowed upon your ku.
this rain-filled night, my mind wrings the silence surrounding basho’s “old pond” and the millennium(not quite) of reprints, and it’s omitted republication credits. for the author, copyright and copyleft(no pun intended) handle reprinting.
ed, surely sweet grapes
I skipped over the credits and enjoyed the haiku very much. It reminds me of a Bach fugue. I experienced the tranquility of a gentle wave wetting the sandals and the fireworks of a meteor shower and I was happy, points or no points only counterpoint.
For a beginning writer, a bio like this makes you wonder “what’s the chance” of ever being considered good enough….. you are less than a David in a field of Giants.
The poem is exquisite….. the author’s pedigree overwhelming and quite disempowering.
Thanks for all the comments, everyone. I like to think that it’s possible to get to know other poets through their bios. When I read the poem, I focus on that. When I read bios from other people, I’m able to learn more about that person. It helps make the person’s name more meaningful, at least to me. I feel unfulfilled when bios say only where the poet lives and that he or she “writes poetry.”
lesley, david conquered that giant. using a term from manu, often giants thinking has (fossilized). “in changing, we find purpose”.
bill, the controversy lingers on. i ponder your finding controversy (odd). i’d say a different, yet synonymous word, (opinions). bordering less on a dogma, opinions are a necessary evil.
michael, (i feel unfulfilled) from comments with minimal content
Alan
Thank you for the link to haiku dreaming australia. I can see much opportunity there for me to learn my craft.
As a newly published prose and poetry writer (but not of haiku) my toe is just in the water. I am trying to avoid a “tsunami” of comparision and still feel worthy of submission to tinywords. Thanks for your comments.
Lesley
steamy shower,
chilling thoughts
wave through my mind
I think I’d appreciate this haiku more simply on its own terms without having to wade through its extensive pedigree.
Excellent.
You’re probably right, Robbie, and the publication credits could possibly be omitted. But listing publication credits respects the blessings bestowed on the poem by previous publishers — and it’s legally required if a poem is republished from certain journals. I also like seeing publication credits, as it alerts me to possible new markets. Either way, I hope you can still enjoy the poem.
You’re right too, Michael. I fully understand the importance, both legal and moral, of acknowledging previous publication. I also appreciate being guided to new markets. I think I was frustrated in this instance by how my attention was first drawn to how well-travelled and respected your haiku has been, and I really had to work backward to clear my mind and experience the moment free of baggage.
Yes, I see how the credits could compete with the poem. Perhaps it would help if any credits were in a smaller point size.
That’s a great idea. I hadn’t noticed that the haiku are actually in a smaller type than the credits and author bios. (at least on my screen)
as has been pointed out before, your bio is overdone too.
I routinely don’t read bios, but when I do, I want them to be meaty. The cricism of Michael Dylan Welch’s bio seems like sour grapes. I think his detractors ought to get a … bio.
michael, a list of publication credits is admirable. i trust my words do not detract from, nor lessen the honor bestowed upon your ku.
this rain-filled night, my mind wrings the silence surrounding basho’s “old pond” and the millennium(not quite) of reprints, and it’s omitted republication credits. for the author, copyright and copyleft(no pun intended) handle reprinting.
ed, surely sweet grapes
I like relationship here, the shower… the wet feet.
_The Bio? Not an issue for this reader; humbly, my ‘Bio’ would leave little to explore.
_M
I skipped over the credits and enjoyed the haiku very much. It reminds me of a Bach fugue. I experienced the tranquility of a gentle wave wetting the sandals and the fireworks of a meteor shower and I was happy, points or no points only counterpoint.
A classic haiku, great to see it here.
on the empty beach
counting the meteors
two lovers
What odd controversies we get up to.
The poem remains a beauty.
For a beginning writer, a bio like this makes you wonder “what’s the chance” of ever being considered good enough….. you are less than a David in a field of Giants.
The poem is exquisite….. the author’s pedigree overwhelming and quite disempowering.
Thanks for all the comments, everyone. I like to think that it’s possible to get to know other poets through their bios. When I read the poem, I focus on that. When I read bios from other people, I’m able to learn more about that person. It helps make the person’s name more meaningful, at least to me. I feel unfulfilled when bios say only where the poet lives and that he or she “writes poetry.”
lesley, david conquered that giant. using a term from manu, often giants thinking has (fossilized). “in changing, we find purpose”.
bill, the controversy lingers on. i ponder your finding controversy (odd). i’d say a different, yet synonymous word, (opinions). bordering less on a dogma, opinions are a necessary evil.
michael, (i feel unfulfilled) from comments with minimal content
Dear Lesley,
Please don’t feel disheartened by Michael’s extensive credits list. We’ve all been there.
Michael & other haiku writers have an obligation on ethical & legal grounds to list prior publications.
It’s also a nod, a deep bow, and a thanks to all those magazine editors who believed in us when we started.
Check out: http://haikudreamingaustralia.info/
best regards, Alan
Alan
Thank you for the link to haiku dreaming australia. I can see much opportunity there for me to learn my craft.
As a newly published prose and poetry writer (but not of haiku) my toe is just in the water. I am trying to avoid a “tsunami” of comparision and still feel worthy of submission to tinywords. Thanks for your comments.
Lesley
I agree with martin and alan….
and it’s one I can never tire of.
Thanks Michael for just being you.
ah yeah, and it’s still working too…
Timeless Michael!