By
Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
A recap of our workshop w/connection, creativity and sharing!

‘Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku’
Top – Left to Right: Bonnie, Susan, Millie
Bottom – Left to Right: Janice, Mary Jean, Lori
By
Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Five lovely women attended our 2 hour SJF Communications Haiku workshop, ‘Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku’ through San Diego Writer’s, Ink via Zoom on April 5th 2020. Once I figured out the system (video, sound, muting, unmuting, locking, etc.), it was a blast!
It was my first time teaching with Zoom and now I am hooked! In fact, I am planning another virtual Haiku workshop via San Diego Writer’s, Ink tentatively on June 7th from 10-12 noon. Stay tuned for details TBA.
We began with a review of my professional history and experience with Haiku and Poetry. After that, we did an interactive interesting and most of all fun ‘ice-breaker’ – getting to know each other a bit more.
Next, after introductions and a review of my work with poetry, I taught my Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared several (16) of my nature (and other) photography photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. Everyone practiced writing Haiku and finally we had the opportunity to share our work. It was a delightful time with such a lovely group of creative empowered women!
Here’s a glimpse of our enlightened attendees written Haiku along with photo prompts they chose that day!

A simple creature
Delving into his sweetness
Bringing joy to all
– Lori
~
Hummingbird hornets
This Spring when hope hides from us
Kids drink from sippies
– Millie

A morning outlook
Wind ruffling my feathers
What to do today
-Lori
~
Eager and ready
Able with wings to take flight
Planted feet instead
-Mary Jean
~
White feathers ruffle
Lake reflections wrinkles
The visible wind
-Bonnie

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
New discovery
A promise of refreshment
Flies! They found this too
-Mary Jean

Water falls steady
From granite to constant lake
Upstaged by frailty
-Mary Jean

Lupine violet
Rises above dusty green
Poking the still air
-Millie

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Palm trees like bear hugs
Only my hairless arms wrap
Tomorrow your gaze clears
-Millie

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Whirling eternal surf
Salty water splashes ashore
No virus in sea
-Janice

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Stop full moon overhead
Secrets hide the dusky light
Car horn, now mundane
-Janice

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Crunchy leaves crackle
Sun comfort through bare branches
Seasons change, do I?
-Janice

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Puffy clouds hover
Gentle wind rustles leaves on trees
City sleeps, no danger.
-Janice
Plus, Lori and Mary Jean wrote some additional Haiku without photo prompts! Way to go!
To be deep in love
Pandemic keeps us apart
Makes me love you more
-Lori
~
Peeling the orange
Ripping the layers of flesh
Ahh! A squirt of scent
-Mary Jean
~
This workshop was very enlightening for me. Keep the creativity going!
Thank you for your kind words. A pleasure for me to work with everyone!
It was a privilege to work with you. I love your style and how well you helped me bring out my inner soul. Stay safe and healthy.
Many thanks Janice ~ such a pleasure to work with you and the ladies in my inaugural zoom Haiku group!