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<p>Haiku Smiles<br />By Nancy Lee Shrader<br />Rated: A Compelling Five Stars<br /><br />At 157 pages, Nancy Lee Shrader’s Haiku Smiles makes for excellent reading because it succeeds in presenting haiku according to the way the ancient haiku poets meant them to be: galaxies of meaning packed in the space of a raindrop.<br /><br />Haiku Smiles will delight readers in search of poetic entertainment that touches on so many topics and themes: brief 5-7-5 syllabic encounters that satisfy like lengthy visits offered by much longer poetry. <br /><br />Nancy Lee Shrader’s pen is a mighty one! Obviously an attentive student of poetry, she has honed her craft insightfully well as indicated by the poems in this collection. Brilliantly observant, she has translated her awe of the world around her into the lines of her haiku with which readers can relate with their own wonder about nature’s beauty and power. With strong word choice and vivid imagery, Nancy is able to capture a sliver of the natural and preserve the moment in the form of a haiku. No easy task!<br /><br />Here are two haiku from Haiku Smiles:<br /><br />“Crimson”<br /><br />Dances in crimson<br />Roses blush in the garden<br />Embarrassing spring<br /><br /><br />“Caustic”<br /><br />Caustic rivers run<br />Deceitful rocks hide below<br />Corroding the shore<br /><br /><br />As a published poet myself, a conductor of poetry workshops, and a longtime judge of poetry contests, I can with much pleasure and assurance recommend Haiku Smiles to anyone in search of uplifting poetry. As expressed in Nancy Lee Shrader’s own words from her haiku “Kettles and Conversation”: “Dreams are voiced here.”<br /><br />Salvatore Buttaci<br /> <br /><br /><br /><font size="5"></font></p> <p>Puzzle Complete</p> <p>A puzzle haiku! :) I know it is not.. but that is what the pic reminded me of. It is a beautiful sentiment that is well said with a few words. Amazing how a tiny piece of the puzzle can just fit.. that tiny piece called love.. to make the heart and the picture complete. <br /><br />Beautiful ink! :)<br /></p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>Reviewer: Mango's Mind</p> <br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Puzzle Complete</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <br /><br /></font></font> <p>Amazingly beautiful write about a special union.<br />This is such a hopeful write...that LOVE is real!!!<br /></p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>Reviewer: Lyrical Love</p> <br /><br /><br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Demon's Claw</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <br /></font></font> <p>The imagery was amazing. Your choice of words is something to be admired, as they all really impacted the Demon image we can get from your poem. Good job!<br /></p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>Reviewer: Maddy</p> <br /><br /><p>In your brief poem you declared the miracle of all time! Well done!<br /><br />Reviewer: Salvatore Buttaci</p> <br /><br /><font size="5"></font><p>Mirror Reflection<br /></p> <p>You are wonderful at writing Haiku!<br />Another beautiful piece!<br /><br />Reviewer: Lynda<br /></p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <br /></font></font><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Lullaby</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>I find this an amazing haiku of nature. Seedlings sleeping under a blanket of snow. Nautres nursery. A Wonderful Haiku well written</p> <p>Reviewer: Stony</p> <br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Everglades </p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>Everglades plunder, what a wonderful ending to this amazing haiku. Loved it as I do all your work.</p> <p>Reviewer: Whimzygirl</p> <br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Eagle's Wings</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>Another bird warns the eagles prey. Wonderfully done.</p> <p>Reviewer: Sister Suzie</p> <br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Bark of the Dogwood</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>Now this is amazingly done. No bark for this dog. Loved it.</p> <p>Reviewer: Stony</p> <br /><br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Crystal Wonderland</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>This is no doubt your best haiku. Loved it.</p> <p>Reviewer: Lazy Days</p> <br /><p>Snow Angel</p> <p>A beautiful Haiku of the magical Snow Angels. I could see them skating and breathing the frosty breeze</p> <p>Reviewer Lazy Days</p> <br /><br /><p>Winter Flight</p> <p>Congratulations on winning the Christmas haiku contest! This Haiku is simpley amazing<br /><br />Reviewer: Salvatore Buttaci</p> <br /><br /><font size="5"></font><p>Snowman at Play</p> <p>I could invision Frosty the Snowman in this beautifully written Haiku</p> <p>Reviewer: Lazy Days</p> <br /><font size="5"></font><p>Winter Sleeps</p> <p>Well written Haiku, tells a story in a few words.</p> <p>Reviewer: Lazy Days<br /></p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <br /></font></font><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Santa Claus</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>Now this Haiku sends the message that Santa holds to the Christian faith. Wonderfully Written. </p> <p>Reviewer Lazy Days</p> <br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Mystery</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>Loved this piece, Spins the tale of the Raven. Edgar Poe would be pleased.</p> <p>Reviewer Stony</p> <br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>God's Eye</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>In a place where no one sees. I can see God embracing his children.</p> <p>Reviewer: Stony</p> <br /><br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Ballerinas of the Breeze</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>This Haiku is by far one of your best. Loved the butterfly dance in my mind's eye.</p> <p>Reviewer: Lazy Days</p> <br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Waterfall</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font><p>Your description of a waterfall as beautiful danger glistens in my mind.</p> <p>Reviewer: Whimzygirl</p> <br /><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Crimson</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font> <p>Interesting and cleverly crafted haiku, I can't say I am a fan of the form but you have done a good job with Crimson.<br /></p> <p>Reviewer: S. A. Venus</p> <br /><font size="5"></font><p>Heaven's Tears</p> <p>A fantastic write. Then thousand angels crying when the Lord died. Wonderful. A worthwhile Haiku</p> <p>Reviewer: Lazy Days<br /></p> <br /><font size="5"></font><p>Kettles and Conversation</p> <p>Can you hear the dreams voiced here? I can</p> <p>Reviewer: Whimzygirl</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"> <br /></font></font><font face="Arial" size="5"><font face="Arial" size="5"></font></font><p>Haiku Nature</p><font face="Arial" size="2"><font face="Arial" size="2"></font></font> <p>Oh, this is perfection! I absolutely loved these haiku.<br /><br />If I had to pick a favorite, it would be hard, but I just loved<br />the reaction my mind had when I read the "Conquest in Autumn"<br />I actually heard the 'CRUNCHING' sound of the falling leaves!<br /><br />Magnificant poetess extraordinaire!!<br /><br />Reviewer Helena</p> <br /><font size="5"></font><p>Haiku Nature<br /></p> <p>What I saw in this piece was more than just words or a format. I saw a vision. I was shocked to open this piece and see what I saw. The way you presented imagery amongst imagery. Both the pictures, and the words flowed well together. You went that extra distance to present your work in the true way you envisioned it within yourself. It says a lot about you as a person. <br /><br />This made me look at haiku's in a different way. I've seen the technique many times where more than one haiku is used to create a longer poem. In this, you presented it where I, as the reader, could continue seeing color even after the color scrolled beyond the page.<br /><br />Very nicely executed and presented. You have a wonderful sense of soul.<br /></p> <p>Reviewer: Li Li</p> <br /><font size="5"></font><p>Haiku Seasons</p> <p>The seasons mesh and mingle very beautifully together. I especially like this haiku: <br /><br />Icicles glistening<br /><br />Wrapped around in sparkling style<br /><br />Glimmering daggers<br /><br />Nice work!<br /><br /></p> <p>Reviewer: Frances O'Neill</p> <br /><font size="5"></font><p>Haiku Seasons</p> <p>Beautifully written as always. Loved the description of spring. You brought my favorite season to life.<br /><br />Reviewer Lizanne Green</p> <br /><font size="5"></font><p>Haiku Seasons</p> <p>this is beautiful nancy, you manage to visualize all the seasons together and tell a wonderful poem.</p> <p>Reviewer: Charlotte Talley</p><font size="5"></font><p>Haiku Seasons</p> <p>the 4 seasons... how beatiful! this haiku gave me a very clear visual of the scenes in the seasons... splendid!<br /></p> <p>Reviewer: Beefjerky</p> <br /><font face="Times New Roman" size="5"><font face="Times New Roman" size="5"></font></font><p>Carousel of Life</p><font face="Times New Roman"></font><p>Broadens the mind and embraces the air. A wonderful write</p> <p>Reviewer: Lazy Days</p>