The first English-language anthology edited by me (together with Robert Kania): The fourth Haiku Foundation Volunteer Anthology - Kick the Clouds
EDITOR’S PREFACE
Growing up is a unique journey — one moment you’re a carefree child, and before you know it, you’ve stepped into adulthood. We've all experienced this transition, which brings both joy and nostalgia.
Robert and I believed that the theme of "back to childhood" might encourage our authors to open up and share their vulnerabilities. We were optimistic that this would resonate well and allow the poets to express themselves freely, and thankfully, it did! The nearly 100 poems in this collection showcase a wonderful variety of experiences — some joyful, some melancholic, and some a bit painful — and beautifully capture memories of people, places, objects, smells, and tastes in all their richness. We had a great time reading each poem, and we're truly grateful for the trust placed in us.
The theme is perfectly tied to the volume’s title, inspired by a lovely line from Adelaide B. Shaw’s haiku: "kick the clouds."
Let’s take a moment to enjoy this shared journey into our childhood memories.
We sincerely thank Theresa A. Cancro and Robin Smith for their dedication and support, along with all the volunteers who made this anthology possible.
— Marta Chocilowska & Robert Kania
THF Volunteer Anthology Editors
kick the clouds, The Haiku Foundation, Winchester, VA, 2025.
