Highlights from Haiku Workshop at the Escondido Library

Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications taught her 2 hour “Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” workshop at the Escondido Library on February 27, 2025. Many thanks to Principal Librarian, Adult Services Azar Katouzian for hosting/coordinating the workshop and for her photos.

Thanks as always to all of the participants for attending, interacting and sharing their work!

Left to right:
Debbie, Jessica, Susan, Debi, Pamela, Rudy and Oliver
Photos by Azar Katouzian; Collage by SJF Communications

We began with an interactive fun ice breaker – getting to know each other.

After introductions and a review of her published work, Susan taught her Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared her nature photography as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. We all practiced writing Haiku and had the opportunity to share our work. As always, it was a great discussion and we equally had so much to say about the creative process and the parallels with Haiku poetry and visual arts.

Enjoy these Haiku from Susan’s nature photography prompts….

“Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” Workshop

Escondido Library 2/27/2025

Sunset Cliffs – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Little waves be small

but will always strike truly

As us humans be

by Oliver (age 9)!

Mist above white waves

Rumbling sea below the rocks

People, perched above!

by Susan

Little hummingbird

Will fly faster peacefully

When the flowers bloom.

by Oliver

Master of the flight

Protective of its life space

Drinker of nectar

by Debi

Rocks at Torrey Pines State Beach- Photo by Susan J. Farese

Small pebbles might fall

still they keep their own balance

And strong in sunlight.

by Oliver

The blood-red night sky

Conjured from the depths of hell

Message from Hades

by Debi

Moon Rise and Yellow Traffic Light – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Captured by the Moon

Saw the signal to slow down

Thank you, universe

by Pamela

Carlsbad Flower Field – Photo by Susan J. Farese

I can find comfort

In a crowd of wild flowers

But not with people

by Pamela

Beautiful flowers

Delicate, colored petals

Waving in the breeze

by Debbie

Julian Leaves – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Crispy, rustling leaves

A potpourri of colors

Waiting for a rake

by Debbie

Great White Egret at Santee Lakes- Photo by Susan J. Farese

Susan (great white egret)

Ivory plunge

Contemplating the nest step

Great white egret soars!

Jacaranda Tree- Photo by Susan J. Farese

Jacaranda trees

Bloom but once annually

Purple hues unite!

by Susan

More Haiku Inspired by the workshop

My hesitant breath

Fear, my mountain Everest

Eyes open I jump.

by Rudy

Ruffles, the dog

Morning you are there

Hungry you seek attention

Soft coat ruffles hand.

by Rudy

Colors red and blue

Visit me and leave fast

Dreams of flying now.

by Rudy

Heavy

Blanket of darkness

Feels like a heavy blanket

Covering my soul

by Debi

Broken

Pieces of my heart

Shattering to the cruel Earth

I lie here, broken.

by Debi

Soaring, easy flight

Masters of the ancient sky

Behold, my dragon

by Debi

Writing in silence

Hum of imagination

Words vibrate inside

by Pamela

It’s 80 degrees

Doesn’t feel like wintertime

in Escondido

by Debbie

Pickle Ball has rules

Don’t volley in the kitchen

Or you’ll lose the point

by Debbie

Montessori School

Wonderful community

Of special people

by Debbie

Waikoloa

Warm sun, gently breaking waves

Me, fully relaxed

by Jessica

Sea turtle swimming

In the warm afternoon sun

So oblivious

by Jessica

With snorkel and mask

Sea turtles and rainbow fish

Such a sparkling world

by Jessica

For more information or to book a workshop (Individual or Group) with Susan:
Information LINK: https://sjfcommunications.com/haiku-workshops/
Or, Email info@sjfcommunications.com or sjfcommunications@gmail.com.

Featured susanfarese

Creativity Blossomed at Haiku Workshop at the Potrero Library

Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications taught her 2 hour “Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” workshop at the Escondido Library on November 2, 2024.

Many thanks to Branch Manager Berlyne Arteaga for hosting/coordinating the November 2, 2024 workshop and for her photos of the group.

Thanks as always to all of the participants for attending, interacting and sharing their work!

Left to right:
Phyllis, Susan, Lollie, Jan and June

Photos by Berlyne Arteaga and Susan J. Farese;
Collage by SJF Communications

We began with an interactive fun ice breaker – getting to know each other.

Enjoy these Haiku from our Workshop….

“Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” Workshop

Potrero Library 11/2/2024~

Jet roars past my nose

Wings blurring beyond man’s sight

Hummingbird visit

by Jan

Carlsbad Flower Fields – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Rainbow colors bloom

Mother Earth’s message to all

Spring is here again

by Jan

Coyote Chorus

Many voices sing off-key

Winters chill soft breath

Morning light fades dark

Cocooned warmth – feel hot breath

Open eyes – dog nose!

Innocence tumbles

Heart bleeds love lost in one blow

Domestic Abuse

by Jan

Winter

The coldest season

Animals hibernating

Snow on mountain tops

by June

People

People are funny

People run, walk, laugh, cry, talk

Also fat, skinny

by Phyllis

Featured susanfarese

A Recent Creative Collection from SJF Communications Haiku Workshops!

I thoroughly enjoy teaching my SJF Communications “Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku” Workshops at local libraries, online or in person elsewhere! I’ve been teaching on and off since 2018. Here are some photos and poems from participants from my most recent (4) Haiku workshops. Whether I have 2 participants or 20, I still savor the outcome – creative writing with Haiku combined with my nature photography (or other inspirations the attendees might have)!

I’ve added photos and several Haiku poems from my recent workshops at the Ramona (SD County), Skyline Hills (SD City), Casa de Oro (SD County) and Bonita-Sunnyside (SD County) Libraries. As always, it’s so rewarding for me to see how creativity develops with attendees! As a contracted performer/instructor for the County as well as City of San Diego, I want to thank the library branches, and Friends of the Libraries for all of your support and all of the attendees for joining in me in these “Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” Workshops!

For more information or to book a workshop (Individual or Group) with Susan:
Information LINK: https://sjfcommunications.com/haiku-workshops/
Or, Email info@sjfcommunications.com or sjfcommunications@gmail.com.

Collage from Haiku workshop by Susan J. Farese at Ramona Library and Skyline Hills Library

Here below, my nature photography prompts which encouraged and sparked Haiku writing about the actual photos seen. Additionally, some poems were written with attendees thoughts after our workshop, (not necessarily photo prompts). It’s all good! Enjoy these Haiku….

From the Ramona Library 6/26/2024

Bouquet

Hand painted with much love

Anniversary flowers

Farmer’s Market joy!

~ Anita
(No photo, she had memory from the bouquet her husband gave her for their anniversary)!
Also, Carol was in attendance – we are looking for her Haiku!

From the Skyline Hills Library 8/31/2024

The Ocean

I go to the beach

for my self-preservation

Rejuvinate ME

~ Jacquelyn

Scents of Season

I feel crispiness

My mood changes at this time

This is my season

~ Jacquelyn

Orange Flower

Alien flower?

Blood vessels on yellow skin

Alien or not?

Nature – Space or Earth?

External organ

Dead alive or in between

Scary as can be

Secret morgue flower

Red blood vessels on yellow

A new dimension?

Putrid slimy wet

Unnaturally warm, dark

Beautiful bloody.

~ Carol Ann

From the Casa de Oro Library 9/6/2024

Haiku, Casa de Oro Library, Blaca, Joy, Susan, Cathrine

It’s the Simple Things

Crisp air, bees buzzing

Calm whispers of morning sun

Sweet serenity!

~ Anonymous

Untitled

What happened to you?

Was there nothing that intrigued?

Was that all my fault?

All those days before

My love kept your interest

Until it didn’t

How was I to know

You were just a whip-poor-will

Any flower would do

Now I don’t get close

Nothing’s worth the grief, the shock

The pain of loss sucks

Now I thank my stars

That I can still show love

Unabashedly

My love is my love

I can fondly show it

Surely not to you.

There’s a lesson there

I don’t have to hate myself

For not being enough

It is not from lack

I am just too good for you

Sit with that, you chump!

~ Joy

And Cathrine had to leave early, but she was a delight as well! Here is her photo and a few Haiku poems:

Untitled

Mother’s precious love

Gentle, kind, gives of herself

Gets kisses and hugs

Untitled

A harvest full moon

Shines brightly in the dark sky

Creates ocean tides

~Cathrine

From the Bonita-Sunnyside Library 9/7/2024

Claire, Susan and Christina at Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku, Bonita-Sunnyside Library 9/7/2024

Moon Rising at Yellow Traffic Light – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Untitled

Hottest year ever

And the coldest from now on

Apocalypse now

~Christina

Untitled

Ruby, sapphire flash

Little bully hummingbird

Never time to pause

~ Claire

Untitled

Beauty suspended

In perpetual motion

Greedy bully wins

and a second one from Christina….

Untitled

Nature’s abundance

Capital’s scarcity myth

How pointless to fight

~Christina

Thank you for visiting my website!

Featured susanfarese

Creative Collection from Recent SJF Communications Haiku Workshops!

The following are Haiku poems from my recent workshops in Lakeside and Casa de Oro, CA. It’s always so rewarding for me to see how creativity develops with attendees! Sometimes, my nature photography prompts (or attendee’s photos) will encourage and spark writing about the actual photos seen, sometimes, a creative spark ignites and words appear that bring the past to light!

Enjoy these Haiku….

A yellow moonrise

Will it being mischief or peace?

We shall wait and see

-Anonymous attendee at library

RESCUE ME

How miraculous

A sister! A family!

Light in the darkness

-Attendee who discovered she had a half-sister a few years ago….

after losing both of her parents.

Thirty-four years gone

It is still hard to believe

I live, love, for you.

-Attendee about the loss of her parent

Incessant drumming

Wet Earth, muddy paws, messy

Where are you sunshine?

Attendee who wrote this reflecting on the noisy (and seemingly endless) rain…

GRATEFUL

Phenomenal me

I have crawled through broken

To a life I love

34 years gone

It is still hard to believe

I live, love, for you.

Attendee wrote about resilience and loss…

FLOWERS

Birds of paradise

Colorful, feathery plumes

Gently swaying tall

-Attendee writing about a favorite flower, at library workshop

Once an awesome Miss

Succumbs to the elements

And passes away…

Time’s a miracle

That so loses its intrigue

The longer it goes.

Was it what you thought?

Are the gates really pearly?

Or was it a myth?

Did you get to hear

the celestial choir hymns?

Was it what you dreamed?

Are you joining in?

Do you feel at home there yet?

Do you know you are gone?

Did you meet Danny?

Is he who you thought he’d be?

Was he grown or not?

Was he as happy

To finally meet Mommy?

He waited so long.

Did you see Jesus?

Was he what you thought he’d be?

Did he know your name?

-Attendee writing about recent loss of her Mother

CEDAR WAXWINGS

This fluttering flock

All swooping down together

Perching on branches

Softly twittering

With jaunty crested heads and

Pale yellow bellies

Searching for berries

AS bright as their red-tipped wings

So hungry in Spring.

Their grumpy faces

Wearing black masquerade masks

Always make me smile

Attendee that enjoys birdwatching and is especially is intrigued by Cedar Waxwings!

HARPER

An all-breed puppy

Soft white fur, muscle and bone

Perpetual smile

She’s ready to play

Joyful and exuberant

Yet happy to work

Busy all the time

She zooms through the garden to

Hunt, chase, dig and bark

I call her to me

She quivers with excitement

To practice our tricks

Looping around me

Weaving with agility

Through my walking legs

When we are both tired

We will snuggle together

Relaxed on the couch.

Attendee who write about her dog Harper!

CAREGIVING

I care, I love, who?

Never in my wildest dreams

My care for elders!

Truly I did so

Wholeheartedly giving all

Nothing left for myself

Now injured, who cares?

Overwhelming pain, depressed

Love, care for ME first!

Tender loving care

Memories of Mom and Dad

Worthiness of life!

Attendee reflecting on the toll and satisfaction that caregiving had for her…

Featured susanfarese

A Journey to See Wildflowers in Borrego Springs with Daytripper Tours (Video)

After a long hiatus from writing blog entries, I decided to describe my recent enjoyable and affordable “daycation” on March 13, 2023. I traveled with a Daytripper Tours group to see the gorgeous Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and colorful, blooming desert wildflowers in Borrego Springs !

I love living in California and had always wondered about those popular wildflowers at Borrego Springs!

Here’s a quick recap of my trip!

Tour travelers (approximately 50 of us) had our choice in joining the motorcoach tour from several transit stations (La Mesa, Mission Valley, University City or Escondido). I decided to take the trip from the Escondido Transit Center (the one nearest to the trip destination)! The comfortable motorcoach had large picture windows, air conditioning, reclining seats, a bathroom on board, foot rests, seat belts, and overhead storage bins.

On the way to Borrego Springs, we briefly stopped at Dudley’s Bakery in Santa Ysabel (I bought some tasty date nut raisin bread – they have many varieties and a cute gift shop area as well). Then, after arriving in Julian, another passenger and I had a delicious lunch and warm cider at the Julian Grille and separately went sightseeing and shopping downtown in Julian (no new photos were snapped by me there, I have been there, done that)!

Desert wildflowers at Borrego Springs! Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

It was a great day trip to Borrego Springs with Day Tripper Tours – including great sights such as traveling the 18+ mile Banner Grade Highway between Julian and Borrego Springs (observing snow-covered Santa Rosa Mountains in the distance), admiring the vast desert landscape, being amazed at Artist Ricardo Breceda’s famous massive metal sculptures (we saw a few of over 100 sculptures), the Anza-Borrego Visitor’s Center, gorgeous wildflowers along Henderson Canyon Road (purple sand verbena, yellow sunflowers, white dune primrose, desert lily) and more!

Our tour guide, (Mark) as well as motor coach driver (Caroline) were superb! Mark narrated throughout the trip and gave us some interesting tidbits about the area and showed us a few videos as well. Caroline’s excellent careful driving made us feel very secure.

Check out my photos in this video from our day trip to see the beautiful Spring wildflowers at Borrego Springs (and more) in the Anza-Borrego Desert!

It was a wonderfully picturesque, scenic, active (yet tiring) day in the desert! I hope you enjoy the video (and if you haven’t, get a chance to visit Borrego Springs sometime)!

As a finale of this blog post, here is my Haiku, inspired by the trip!

My Desert Journey – A Haiku

by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Borrego Springs tour

Vivid, colorful flowers

Picturesque bloomers!

Metal sculptures in desert with mountains – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Landscape of cactus

Metal sculptures captivate

Mountains as backdrop!

Motorcoach from Daytripper Tours – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Delightful Spring day

Aesthetically so pleasing

Travel now complete!

Thanks for stopping by!

Feel free to subscribe, like, comment & share!

Like this post?

Contact SJF Communications for your PR/Marketing/Writing

Social Media/Photography, or Coaching Needs!

SJF Communications

‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’!

Featured susanfarese

Haiku for Two at the Julian Branch Library

Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications taught her 2 hour SJF Communications “Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” workshop on May 24th at the Julian Branch Library. Many thanks to Josh Mitchell, Branch Manager and Friends of the Julian Library for hosting the workshop.

Mark was a solo attendee that day, and we made the best of it!

We began with an interactive fun ice breaker. After introductions and a review of her published work (with Haiku and other forms of poetry), Susan taught her Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared nature photography, including several photos of roses and flowers, plus other nature photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. We practiced writing Haiku and had the opportunity to share our work. It was a great discussion and we equally had so much to say about the creative process and the parallels with Haiku poetry and visual arts.

Here is a glimpse of us, along with the photo prompts and written Haiku for the afternoon.

Rings of Gold

electric yellow

round, in a black box says slow

in sunlit moonrise

– Mark

Moonrise/Yellow Light

Moon rose to the east

Yellow traffic light appeared

Serendipity

-Susan

Earth and Sky

dusty clay stretches

around a corner….fading

cool clouds pressing down

-Mark

Mysterious Orange Flower

Orange yellow hues

Veinlike markings encircle

A bursting flower

-Susan

Bench at Santee Lakes

Bench solitude

Lonely, uninhabited

Summer pause, sit down!

-Susan

Blooming Jacarandas in May

Hues of violet

Lilac-blue and trumpet-shaped

Jacaranda tree!

A late Spring bloomer

Colorful, urban flower

Bravely blooms with awe

-Susan

For more information about attending our