Brian Jarvis

Hello, I’m Brian Jarvis. Born in Cardiff in 1936 (86).

My book is Haiku and Seryu: A Book for Beginners by a Beginner

Why this Author Page? Because my great friend Chris said – show them you are lovable and fallible and not a Mekon! (I explain that the ‘Mekon’ was a hyper-intelligent nasty alien being with a huge brain and atrophied body, the fictional archenemy of my favourite comic hero Dan Dare).

My life story (such arrogance) was called A minor life of Brian (in homage to the rather indelicate Monty Python film).

On the back of this Haiku and Senryu book you will find the comment: ’Modesty says this book of Verse might be seen in the same light’!

My life ‘activities’ involved journalism, National Service, public relations, occasional (and again, minor) sporting success in soccer, rugby, cricket (a wicket-keeper for 30 years – I gave up at 60, realizing I couldn’t handle these young, speedy new fast bowlers. Talking about speed, when I was 14 and living in Cardiff, I was a leading light in my cycle speedway team - see photographs from my sporting days and time in the British Army. The other more recent photos were taken in Japan and appear in my book.

Regarding Haiku and Senryu – each photo from my life’s past, can bring back deep lasting perceptions – experienced in the moment and never forgotten - through senses’ impressions direct or subtle.

Each perception revived can still present through mind the basis for a real haiku – one which can arise from “an experience of enlightened harmony” as the poet’s nature and the environment are unified (as Kenneth Yasuda, in the 1950s).

Influences – a delightful small booklet ‘The Haiku 100’ (IRON Press, 1992) which was the (first) stilling experience, in original English, of these remarkable Japanese-style short-form verses. Next, in 1993, came ‘Breathing with the Mind’ (by Kenneth Verity, poet and writer, teacher, organiser Eastern events, well-travelled in the Far East, conversant with all things Japanese. That has been a true ‘mentoring’ book. Later I was ‘blown away’ by ‘Haiku in English – The First Hundred Years’ (2013; introduction by Billy Collins, edited by Jim Kacian, Philip Rowland and Allan Burns). Around 2019 another poetic influence was ‘Themes, Dreams & Seasons’, a collection 1956–2018. Over 250 poems and three short stories, from Graham Wade, biographer, musician and novelist.

It is demanding and challenging, whether in its modern poetic style and images, or the sheer range of unexpected subjects. It reminded me that “Haiku and Senryu” are exactly that – varied and unlimited and unexpected, surprising, often with an ‘uplifting’ slight shock? Writing MY Haiku and Senryu book (2023) and completing it has been “The most marvellous and challenging literary finale”.

The British Haiku Society was formed in 1990-1992 and goes from strength to strength, today offering many different Haiku Teaching kits and Courses for Schools, organisations and individuals of all ages.