The great haiku master, Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694) wrote, "The bones of haiku are plaineness and oddness." Little has changed.
For National Poetry Month, The New York Times asked readers to write haiku about the City. The response — more than 2,800 submissions in 10 days — was as impressive. NYC in 17 Syllables is an inspirational and optimistic selection that crowdsources the talents of uncommon, common people.
Photo of Sutton Park by Gabriela Nagy, 4/16/14
subway to the beach
two strangers in the first car
comparing surfboards
— Jeffrey Rabkin, 61, Manhattan
Homeless gentleman
White cane seeks safe street crossing
Teenage boy takes arm