Andrew O. Dugas, aka Haiku Andy, is a graduate of Ithaca College (1984) and a two-time participant of Cornell University’s Creative Writing Workshop (1982 and 1983), where he studied with Robert Morgan[https://english.cornell.edu/robert-morgan]. His novel Sleepwalking in Paradise [http://www.sleepwalkinginparadise.com] was published in 2014 by Numina Press.

Andy compulsively writes a daily haiku, inscribes it on a postcard, photographs the card for social media, then mails it to someone selected at random. Once intended to simply deepen his haiku practice, the project has evolved into a distributed, participatory art project with over 1,500 (and counting) postcards spread across six continents.

This project has also led to some exciting adventures, including an exhibition of his haiku photographs[https://haikuandy.com/galleries/sf-photobooth-2014-haiku-postcard-exhibit/], collaboration with other artists[https://haikuandy.com/galleries/haigagraph-a-haiku-art-collaboration/], curating writing workshops at the Contemporary Jewish Museum[https://www.thecjm.org], and authoring the entry on haiku for a university textbook[https://www.routledge.com/A-Guide-to-Creative-Writing-and-the-Imagination/Saknussemm/p/book/9780367691738].

On haiku:

“There is no better haiku teacher than reading and rereading the classics, from Bashō, Buson, and Issa to Chiyo-ni, Santoka, and Shiki (and beyond). In English-language haiku, lots of people will happily and without restraint chide you about proper haiku form, syllable counts, and so on.

“Don’t listen to them. Classical haiku smashes all their rules and laughs while doing so. Instead, read Bashō or Santoka or Shiki’s essays and journal entries. When in doubt, return always to the classics.

“A consistent haiku practice will open your eyes to the present moment, and teach you how to see with new eyes. I’ve written many short stories, several novels, and other forms of poetry, but nothing has been so spiritually rewarding as haiku. It has changed my life.

“Just remember: the haiku muse is a wallflower. She’s dying to dance with you, but you have to invite her first.”

Follow along on Instagram (@haikuandy), Substack (http://www.haikuandy.substack.com), or haikuandy.com.

Better yet, be a part of it by requesting a postcard of your own. https://haikuandy.com/request-a-postcard/