Ramesh Anand

(Exciting & Enlightening Zen Haikus Inspirational Free Verses)

Preface by Patricia Prime and Kala Ramesh

Newborn Smiles
And

Newborn Smiles

Copyright Ramesh Anand ISBN 978-81-8253-278-6 First Edition: 2012 Rs. 200/-

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Newborn Smiles

Preface for Newborn Smiles

Patricia Prime
The credentials for the haiku in Ramesh Anands book Newborn Smiles are impeccable. His life experiences, as haiku moments, have been published and forthcoming in journals and online in Magnapoets, ACORN and Bottle Rockets Press , Anthologies such as The Temple Bell Stops : Loss And Grief, Prayer for Japan and Haiku Journal, OM Times Magazine, Lyrical Passion and many others. Anand, it might be said, does not waste words, in as much as his haiku are typically lean and terse, and meet the requirements of haiku to be read in one breath. Observation is at the heart of his haiku, finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, and being able to translate precious moments into words. Haiku poets write in the hope that their readers will be able to complete the poets words, by experiencing the moment and relating it to their own experiences. For instance, Anand writes in one of his haiku: maple leaves / in so many colours / . . . her embroidery. In this poem the reader can see the leaves changing colour as autumn arrives and the beautiful colours in the womans needlework. Many people will have observed the change that takes place in autumn leaves and will also be familiar with a fine piece of tapestry or needlepoint. The main themes of Anands haiku concentrate on the seasons, flowers, the weather, and the poets family. Anands double allegiances to both his Indian background and the world of European haiku emerge through particular motifs. Here, for example, we have references to the monsoon, the mosque, elephants and the wallah, alongside haiku that refer to the more traditional themes of the natural world: springs end, winter twilight, autumn dawn, maple leaves and cloud pause.

Ramesh Anand

In a haiku climate which is choc-a-bloc with innovative work, this collection assumes the need for haiku to move the human heart, to confront the everyday, but not to be imprisoned by them, and to hearten the reader to continue his or her own journey through the reading and writing of haiku. And throughout, the image recur, both natural and of the heart, out of which Anand invites his readers to make a journey with him.

Patricia Prime

Co-editor of the New Zealand haiku magazine Assistant Editor of Haibun Today

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Newborn Smiles

Ramesh Anands haiku deeply evokes moods of nostalgia. Thanks to the imagery he has used in his poems, we have the wonderful opportunity to reflect on experiences that have been dear and tender to us. K. Ramesh, author of Soap Bubbles. I am sure this book on the Newborn Smiles will bring smiles on the face of the Readers. Each poem, though short, delivers to the point the message hidden therein. I wish him all the success in this field. Rajaram Ramachandran, Contributing Editor (2008-2009), The Enchanting Verses Literary Review. Witty, engaging and riveting! Newborn Smiles makes you traverse miles of thoughts.a journey into the poetic mind of Ramesh Anand. Aparna, Poetry Editor, Boloji. After reading Ramesh Anands haikus on Muse India and his write up What is Haiku (For beginners) I developed more interest in this form of writing. Haiku King Ramesh comes with witty, strange ones too. His keen sense of observation of Nature and environment is highlighted through his short verses.... Hema Ravi, Senior Poet, Chennai. Your Haiku is getting deeper and deeper, a great deal expressed in the 3 lines, beautiful... Safiyyah, UK.

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Newborn Smiles

The vibrancy of your homeland, the strength of a young husband and father, a sons devotion to his parents; this is a poignant life and, as good haiku do, shares its beauty, its frailty, and your love for it. Jennie Townsend, Kukai Secretary, Haikuworld Being young he is sure to burn the haiku world from all the sides in the times to come, what he already has such comfortable mastery. I knew with what grit and unstinted determination he has evolved finding for himself a fine niche among the best Haijans of our times. I wish him a great future ahead. Seshu Chamarty, Your Space Associate Editor, Muse India. Intelligent, perceptive, with a keen observation of life and nature external and internal ... in a lively language, and bouncy style ... with appealing poetic sensibility. U Atreya Sarma, Editor, museindia.com A fresh breeze scintillates mind and soul and likewise, a poem energizes heart. As a lover of nature RAMESH has woven a magical volume of poetry that prints an everlasting impression on the readers. R. Purushothamarao, Guntur, India