above the tree line, SCHSG 2008 Anthology Reading

On August 24, 2008 the Southern California Haiku Study Group (SCHSG) and the Pacific Asia Museum co-hosted a Haiku Reading & Book Signing event for above the tree line, the newly released 2008 SCHSG anthology.
Nearly 40 poets and members of the public entered the museum's Japanese Gallery to the enchanted and meditative musical preludes by Rick and Kathabela Wilson -- Rick playing a variety of modern and historical Asian flutes and Kathabela accompanying him on various percussion instruments. Rick and Kathabela also played an interlude and postlude.

After welcoming remarks from Tai Ling Wong, museum coordinator of the "Authors on Asia" programs, SCHSG moderator Deborah P. Kolodji introduced above the tree line, and Naia, editor of this year's anthology, introduced haiku poets reading their anthology poems.

Among the poems read, G. Murray Thomas shared:

voices from the garden
discuss expensive tea--
my lukewarm cup

and Margaret Hehman-Smith shared:

September moon
the shift in the color
of his eyes

The 2008 anthology drew its title from a haiku written and submitted by Wendy Wright, which was among those she read during the event:

Perseid dawn
stars fade one by one
above the tree line

Says Tai Ling Wong on behalf of the Pacific Asia Museum, "Congratulations to all the members of the Southern California Haiku Study Group on the publication of your new anthology above the tree line and thank you for holding another of your special events here at the museum."

L to R: Janis Lukstein, Naia, Deborah P. Kolodji, Victor P. Gendrano, Billie Dee, Wendy Wright

Link to Anthology Description/Ordering Information