March 20th "Green Mitsubishi"

[brelief@xxxxxxx]

--=====================_825805562==_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


Is the writing brush mightier than the sword?  If this fails, we'll have to
try "tanka!"


--=====================_825805562==_
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Asahi Evening News
March 2, 1996

excerpted from:
ASAHI HAIKUIST NETWORK

David McMurray

Spinning blue planet
For the next generation
I send my message
 --Kayo Koyama (Kyoto)

In the rain
Strange men armed with chain saws
Cut down my playground
 --Carol Schlenker (Tokyo)

March 20th is the vernal equinox.  It is an important
demarcation of the seasons for haikuists.  It has also become
the anniversary date to focus efforts to preserve nature. 
Several environmental groups have turned to haiku to help
share their concern for the earth.  Koyama and Schlenker sent
their haiku, in a requested 5-7-5 syllable pattern which I
edited, to the Third Annual Haiku Project.  The contest calls
for people around the world to express their support for the
earth's forests through poetry, drawings, and other artwork. 
Last year the contest reportedly attracted 15,000 entries. 
Poetry and artwork can be sent, no later than March 15, to
Rainforest Action Network at BRC, 266-27 Ozuku cho,
Kashihara, Nara 634 Japan
Other green events planned for the first day of spring include
a possible gathering of haikuists on the bridge in Dotonburi,
Osaka.  Green Haikuists hope to line up some of their best
and most colorfully decorated haiku as placards along the
bridge.  Organizers intend to hand out fliers explaining the
destruction of forests worldwide, draw and write haiku in
colored chalk on the sidewalks, and invite passersby to join in
composing their own.  Several groups in Tokyo are also
discussing similar events.


--=====================_825805562==_--