Bøker av Don Baird

From Breath to Words is a book of haiku poetry (in contemporary western civilization style referenced as English Language Haiku, ELH) that is linked to one another by what is referred to as scent linking - a following poem picks up on something in the preceding poem and carries it subtly carries it forward. There is a storyline that weaves the reader in and out of scenes that visit and re-visit various images and topics. Pictures often reflect something nuanced in the poetry and are used to slow the reader down by causing pondering and deeper thinking.

The origin of the term "ink zero" was the result of a brainstorming session we had towards the end of my September 2014 visit: to create calligraphic (shodo) brush-stroke paintings in the Japanese style, using sumi-e ink on drawing paper. These works likewise appear here.It's our hope that the joy and creative friendship we've experienced in weaving our hearts and minds together with poetry and visual art communicate both the spontaneity and the successive series of excessively late nights which have hatched this project. Without the energy and flow-the mysterious threading and wending of collaborative friendship-we would have each produced separate works. Instead, we find our combined effort approaches an alpha and omega of mutual lives: living whole, and for the day. It's this poignant and ephemeral spirit we wish to share, and offer our experiment here as one possible approach to haiku publication.Richard GilbertMarch 17, 2015

Both born of ancient masters, the unique blending of Haiku and Kung Fu in Haiku Wisdom, gives us a seamless guide to exploring our human existence. With careful attention to the minute detail and beauty of nature, Don Baird brings us on a magical journey of perception, introducing us to the miracles of our souls, hearts, minds and world. By using the allure of haiku mixed with the elegance of martial arts philosophies, he allows us to open our eyes to our own journeys, where we may begin to revel in the grandeur that is our life.

With his voice ringing out I hear Grandmaster Suh saying, "This guy, are you training hard?" And without regard to my answer, he would always respond, "Train harder." This was the way it was: this was signature Mr. Suh. He was a Master of few words. I remember asking him, "Why do we punch with a bent elbow?" His response was a swift punch to my chest that left me on the floor about 8 feet away from him. His martial art lessons were different, though. He became open and would spend a great deal of time teaching life philosophy. He savored handing down these philosophies to his students and it showed in every class. This book, by letting him tell his story through his own words is not a book by me but a gift from him. He was brilliant. I believe this book, Suh Do Kwan, the Way of Suh, will reveal that on its own without further commentary.